The Smartwatch That’s Got Zahra Up And Running
So after experimenting with various ways to keep my 2017 resolution to get fit and fabulous this year — from trying yoga, to swimming, and even working out at the gym — I’ve realised that the one thing that really gets me (and keeps me) going is a good, old-fashioned run.
There’s nothing quite like pounding the pavement in the open air on a crisp morning versus sweating it out in the confines of an air-conditioned gym with various other sweaty bodies. You feel me, yes?
And so I got my gear and running shoes in order, and decided to start at least 3 runs per week, before slowly making it a part of my daily fitness routine. So far, so good.
But what’s a smart girl without her smart tech? I needed a versatile gadget that would not only perform basic functions, but also go the extra mile and help keep my fitness goals on track.
And that’s why I settled on the Apple Watch Series 2 Nike+.
Now, the Apple Watch Nike+ edition isn’t all that different from the Apple Watch Series 2. It’s the same size and weight, and when connected to your iPhone, it can perform various functions like making phone calls, responding to messages, and viewing incoming notifications from apps such as Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat.
It also features the same ultra bright display, dual-core processor, GPS, and swim-proof design. There’s also 8GB of storage — 2GB of which can be used for storing music.
But here’s what makes it different and the perfect smartwatch for me and my newfound love for running. The first real difference is the appearance itself. The Nike+ edition comes in a lightweight, breathable (i.e. perforated) monotone or 2-tone silicone strap that’s exclusive to this variant, with colour options in silver and black, and additional accents in grey, white, or neon green (a colour that Apple has dubbed ‘Volt’).
It also have 2 exclusive watch faces (digital and analog) that can be personalised to show you data based on your activity or give you instant access to the Nike+ Run Club app.
And here’s where things get really fun for me. The NRC app comes preloaded with the watch, and has a feature that is unique to this particular edition. The app works directly with Siri, and you can actually tell her things like “Start a 10km run” or “Start a 30-minute run”, and then leave your phone behind and be on your way.
The app will then display your pace, distance, elapsed time, beats per minute, and route while you run, and also includes auto pause and auto lap functions. Now that’s really, really cool.
The watch lasts about 2 days with normal usage, but be warned that battery life will vary depending on how much you use the GPS. The more you use the GPS, the shorter your battery life.
If you’re a casual runner and looking for a full-blown smartwatch that helps you keep track of your activity, then this is the gadget for you. Plus if you’re a Nike fan and part of the Nike+ Run Club community, there’s really no better activity tracker to keep you motivated and moving!
