Smart watches should be one of the most common wearable devices now, which work with smartphones and have a certain degree of independence as their functions are enhanced. In many scenarios, the smart watch worn on the hand is more convenient to use than the mobile phone.
On December 29, AutoNavi announced the launch of a smart watch version, which can provide users with navigation, taxi and other services on the watch. According to official information, the AutoNavi Map watch version is now compatible with Xiaomi Watch S1, Huawei Watch GT2, GT2 Pro, GT2e, Watch 3, and there will be more models of device support in the future.
In fact, using maps and navigation services on smartwatches is nothing new. In the case of Apple's Apple Watch, it has long been possible to use its own map service. On the Android side, the previous smart watch products of brands such as Xiaomi and Huawei usually come with map Apps with navigation functions.
Baidu Map, the opponent of AutoNavi Map, has also launched a smartwatch version before. When the Huawei smart watch WATCH GT2 Pro was released, Baidu Map was a manufacturer that completed the adaptation.
Xiao Lei believes that the map App is still very practical on the watch side. In terms of common navigation functions, the watch side is more convenient to view than the phone. For example, when the user rides a bicycle, it is obviously not suitable to pull out the mobile phone. In the driving scene, the mobile phone needs to have a special bracket for navigation, and the flexibility is not as good as the watch.
Of course, watch navigation looks at the map also has certain limitations. Nowadays, many smart watches do not have independent networking capabilities outdoors, and they still rely on mobile phones to provide network and transmit data when they are used, and if the connection delay is large, the navigation experience will also be affected. There is also a product like Apple Watch, the battery life is not long, and the navigation power loss is even fiercer. But in any case, the watch has more and more functions, and as a user, it is still popular.
At present, AutoNavi Map and Baidu Map are the two largest map service providers in China, according to ai media consulting's "China Mobile Map Market Research Report", the two have won nearly 70% of the domestic market. They have launched a watch version of the product, which can undoubtedly allow more users to enjoy the convenience, which is naturally worth encouraging.