Wearable Tech: Style Decoded

Sharp November 21, 2014

You’ve got a nice collection of accessories: beautiful leather shoes, belts to match them, a bunch of raw-silk ties and a drawer full of statement socks. They’re fashionable, sure, but what do they actually do? The latest crop of smart accessories not only add a dash of tech-savvy style to your look, they also offer everything from GPS navigation to workout advice. The latest wearables available at TELUS offer the best in fashion and function. A TELUS expert can help you pair and set up your new accessory through the TELUS Learning Centre.

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Motorola Moto 360

Easily the most stylish smart watch on the market, the Moto 360 can track your heart rate throughout the day, perform numerous functions through “OK Google” voice commands, and can be charged inductively rather than having to fuss with cables and chargers. A clear choice for any fans of contemporary design. $280

Fitbit Flex

This activity and sleep wristband is perfect for the guy with a get-up-and-go mindset: during the day, it tracks steps, distance, and calories burned, while at night, it monitors sleep quality, waking you silently in the morning. Stats are synced wirelessly and progress is recorded in real time with LED lights, showing how you’ve measured up alongside your goals. $100

Samsung Gear Live

A bold, stylish step forward from the original Gear smart watch released last year, the curve of its large screen and buttonless design keep it looking sleek on the wrist. The Gear Live is pair-able with Android smartphones, and allows you to access message notifications, directions and fitness progress using “OK Google” voice commands. $220

Samsung Gear Fit

Decidedly less ‘techy-looking’, the Gear Fit has a curved display and interchangeable band options for a variety of stylish looks. Compatible with Samsung Galaxy smartphones, the Fit easily tracks fitness progress and responds to ‘Ok Google’ voice commands. Dustproof and water-resistant, the Gear Fit allows you to view emails, texts and alerts with a simple tap, without missing a step on the treadmill. $150

LG G Watch

Its futuristic aesthetics set LG’s latest smart offering apart from the pack, but it’s as functional as it is good-looking. With voice commands, gps navigation, fitness tracking and message notification, it’s the ultimate way to stay connected on the move. $250

3 Rules of Wearable Tech

Presented by TELUS and Sharp

1. Heads Up

Sure, you love how your new wearable looks on your wrist—it is, after all a beautiful intersection of fashion and technology—but don’t forget to keep your eyes on where you’re going. Lampposts and curbs still exist.

2. One and Done

If your tech has a clock built in, that’s your watch for the day. No doubling up. If your tech isn’t also a watch, that’s when you wear as though it were any other bracelet: tastefully on the same wrist as your timepiece.

3. Use It

Wearable tech has the potential to inundate you with information—heart rate, instant messaging, steps taken, whether or not all your dreams will come true—and you should take advantage of all of it. If not, you’re like the guy who buys a jacked-up SUV and never takes it off-road. You don’t want to be that guy.