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In the ever-expanding universe of smartwatches, a new constellation has emerged, capturing the attention of both children and their parents. The focus is on smartwatches for kids, a strategic move by manufacturers to cultivate a new generation of tech-savvy consumers. Two such products, the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 and Bounce, are at the center of this discussion.
To understand how these watches resonate with their intended audience, I enlisted the help of my five-year-old son. His initial excitement for the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 was surprising, given his lukewarm response to previous analog and digital watches. The standout feature for him was the step-counter, which sparked his imagination about potential rewards for staying active. The Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3, despite its basic functionality, successfully captures the essence of a kid’s smartwatch. Its size, simplicity, and light decorative elements make it approachable and appealing to children. However, it’s not a fully-fledged smartwatch, but rather a compromise. It offers smart elements, but lacks the constant connectivity associated with adult smartwatches. The watch uses a basic colored MIP screen, a single button for all functions, and a non-rechargeable battery.
To connect the watch, it must be in Bluetooth pairing mode and physically close to a phone with the Garmin Jr. application installed. This allows for data transfer and updates, but the process might be too time-consuming for some parents. The Garmin Bounce, on the other hand, offers a more comprehensive smartwatch experience. Despite its larger size and less playful design, it boasts powerful hardware, constant connectivity, a touch-screen, and communication tools. It provides parents with a way to communicate with their children and track their location without resorting to a mobile phone. However, the Bounce’s software could use some refinement.
While it’s simpler than Garmin’s adult smartwatch software, it still requires adult assistance for most children to navigate. The messaging feature, while useful, can be laggy, and messages sometimes fail to send. The watch also lacks a live voice calling feature, which some parents might expect from a subscription-based smartwatch. Despite these shortcomings, Garmin’s efforts in the smartwatch industry are commendable. They’ve managed to produce sophisticated smartwatches at relatively modest price points, making them a reliable choice over smaller companies or startups.
The smartwatch market still has room for growth, particularly in terms of hardware miniaturization and software refinement. There are also ethical questions to consider about introducing children to health and fitness tracking tools. However, the ability to communicate with and locate children without the need for a mobile phone is a compelling argument for products like the Garmin Bounce. The Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is priced at $89.99 USD, while the Garmin Bounce is available for $149.99 USD.
