The Apple Watch might just be the most desirable gizmo this year but it’s not the ultimate one.

The Motorola Moto 360 is an Android Wear smartwatch that is compatible with any android smartphone whereas the Apple Watch is compatible only with iOS-based devices, including the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 5S.

The Apple watch is expected to hit the Indian markets by June 2015 but the Motorola Moto 360 is already here.

Here’s why we’re saying you should buy the Motorola Moto 360 rather than an Apple Watch.

1.Price

When the Apple Watch launches in India it won’t be cheap. The Moto 360 will cost way less but it will still be able to do similar things. Sure the Apple Watch looks impressive when it comes to the design but the watch comes with hefty price tag.

In the west, the Apple Watch is right now between $549 to $1099 depending on the model. Expect it to be priced between Rs 35,000 to Rs 70,000. Now you can buy a Moto 360 for just Rs 12,999 in India.

Even the Moto 360’s flashy steel variant is priced at Rs 19,999. So for the price tag of an Apple Watch you can buy a Moto 360 and a good mid-range android device.

2. Open Eco-System

Currently, you can sync the Apple Watch only to the iPhone. Whereas a Moto 360 can be synced with any android device. Also, if you have a jailbroken iPhone, you can even sync the Moto 360 to it.

Cydia offers extensions for you to connect Android-based smartwatches to your iPhone. There have also been rumours that Google is making an Android Wear app for your iPhone.

So why spend so much money and buy an Apple Watch?

3. Android Wear Apps are Free

Android is famous for giving users free apps. Android Wear also has many free-to-download apps for your Moto 360. The Apple Watch is not as app-rich right now.

Apps like Google keep, Runtastic, Google fit, and Sleep Better are free. Also you can choose from several free-to-download watch-faces available on the Google Play store for the Moto 360.

4. Usability

Moto 360 is easy to use. That’s because the new Android Wear software on the watch is very easy to navigate. Moto 360 will also count your steps, sleep patterns heart beat, etc. It’s capable of doing everything that an Apple Watch can. Both the smartwatches have a battery life of a day.

Since Moto 360 uses fewer animations than the Apple Watch to switch between apps, it uses up less power.

5. Gestures

Sure you can send heartbeats to your partner if you both have an Apple Watch but emojis are still in. Moto 360 has gesture recognition. Users can draw an emoji directly on the watch-display and send it back to senders.

(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)

Published: 12 May 2015,04:40 PM IST

ADVERTISEMENT
SCROLL FOR NEXT