Have you ever wished you could take photos or videos with your Apple Watch? Then Wristcam could be the wearable experience with a camera you've been waiting for. And it could make your iPhone irrelevant.

The first camera designed for the Apple Watch, the Wristband is a $299 Apple-certified smartband that features a clever in-strap component with both a world-facing and self-facing camera. Using either manual control of the band or the watchOS app, content can be captured even when the phone is out of reach.

Of course, the Wristcam's 8MP and 2MP cameras can't compete with the iPhone 12 Pro's 12MP array, but from the samples I've seen, this product certainly makes a strong case. While I wouldn't abandon my smartphone just yet, the Wristcam brings the Apple Watch an important step closer to practical autonomy when it comes to smartwatches that fulfill everyday needs like photography.

However, it does add some bulk to the symbolically slim smartwatch; the 1.2-ounce device is not heavy, but its protrusion is likely to get in the way during exercise and sleep. However, like all the best Apple Watch bands, it can be easily replaced to suit the needs of the moment.

As a unique self-contained system, the Wristcam pairs with the Apple Watch via Bluetooth Low Energy and attempts to maintain an independent "all-day" battery. It also connects to the iPhone and Wristcam companion app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

If there is an image or video you want to capture, you can use the buttons on the strap or the viewfinder in the Apple Watch's Wristcam app. The interface is simple: swipe to switch between photo and video, and double-tap to switch between front-facing and world-facing cameras. In the demo I saw, the app and the delay worked smoothly.

Content captured with Wristcam can be stored on the Apple Watch, but it can also be synced with the iPhone's photo gallery for instant access to images and videos The Wristcam app also has a series of editing tools and filters.

To address privacy concerns for accessories such as James Bond, Wristcam has a flashing status light to indicate active recording. Discretion, however, is not Wristcam's mission. Instead, it captures life in the moment.

I'm skeptical of how many situations would be faster with the Wristcam than with the new iPhone 12 Pro Max, but I'm certainly willing to give it a try for comfort and practicality. $299 is a price I'm not too keen on, but given that the GoPro Hero9 Black is $449 given that the Wristcam could find a niche as a valid alternative for outdoor-oriented Apple Watch users.

I, on the other hand, would use it to take pictures of my dog when my phone is out of reach.