I have (reluctantly) joined the smart watch universe

When the Apple Watch came out eleven years ago, I though, what is the point of that? Like I need another screen nagging me about stuff. A few years later, I worked with a guy who you couldn't have a conversation with because he was constantly looking at his watch. Apple seemed to struggle with figuring out the point of the watch, as did Samsung, and later Google. But I suspect that the Garmin users of the world got it... it's great for gathering health data.

I bought into the Fitbit idea right away in 2013, and I've had three of them total, lasting a few years each. The first one was intended to just be clipped on to some part of your body, while my next two came with a band, but you could still clip it. I've tracked most every step that I've made since. (Spoiler alert: I've been pretty lazy the last few years.) But the battery started to crap out on this one too, and I started looking at my options. Diana and Simon both have Pixel Watches, since they're pretty seamless to use with Android phones, and I'm impressed with the sheer volume of data that it can record. Rebranding the Fitbit app as Google Health, believe it or not, actually makes sense, and I kinda like it better.

So I decided to give it a whirl. I used to wear a watch until about 1995, when I started carrying a pager (ugh), and it had the time on it. Obviously when phones came a few years later, the same thing applied. I tried to wear the Fitbit as a watch on a few cruises, and didn't care for it, but the screen was small and it just felt weird. The watch feels a little strange, but I think I'll get used to it.

That said, my earlier commentary on "MOAR SCREENS!!!1!" still stands. My phone only notifies me of text messages and personal email (never work email). That's what I allow to pass to the watch. Otherwise, it's for counting steps, measuring sleep and reminding me to get off my ass, if in fact it does that. Oh, and I guess it tells time, too. I ain't getting younger, so I suppose being reminded that my time is limited is probably OK.

I think I need a better band for it, but the rubber one will be appropriate for vacations where water is likely. Also, I like that it's properly round. Garmin and Samsung agree, but for some reason Apple is sticking to the ugly block.