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gerball

macrumors member
Original poster
May 27, 2010
30
2
Does this work for anyone else while navigating? I seem to get the same for both directions - 6 taps (3 x 2).
 
Same here, same tap sequence for both left and right. Only difference is the sound. Maybe there's a setting somewhere?
 
Maybe the user guide is incorrect?

I know John Gruber said recently he hadn't managed to figure out the 6 taps/12 taps thing himself, pre user guide - surely you'd be able to if it actually worked like that? 12 consecutive taps would be easy to distinguish from 3x2 taps.

While we're on the subject of taps for left and right - I'm a bit disappointed there's no distinct tap pattern for roundabouts (i.e. first exit, second exit etc) - would make navigating without looking at your watch much easier.
 
This works for me (just not when driving since the "taps" come when you are practically at the intersection....walking, however it works great).

I'm certainly not able to count the taps, but if there is a blast of taps (like a long "vibrate") and then nothing, I turn right. If there is a blast, then a quick pause, then a second blast I turn left.

That said, if you aren't focused on them, like you are talking or something, you might not be able to tell the difference. I do have "prominent haptic" on.

I hope, eventually, Apple allows personalized haptic feedback for a lot of things. Including directions.
 
Hmmm maybe it works better for walking directions. Thanks, will give it a try.
 
I get three taps for left and for right, but the taps are different. It's more like sets of taps. The pattern for right is "high tap, low tap" and the pattern for left is "low tap, high tap." Or vice versa... LOL

But they are definitely different.
 
It can't give direction taps when dirving because you are stil bound by the junction you also need to be taking.

In the UK we have roundabouts so we always technically turn left in to our junction. our directions are "take the second exit", "take the third exit" etc. There is no way this is going to work on the watch.

The directional taps are only for walking, which you must dictate is what you want to do from the iphone or a verbal instruction from the watch "I want to walk to X".

Pretty obvious when you think about it, but must admit I tried it out this morning in the car before realising driving instructions were going to be very difficult to walking instructions.

Not had a chance to test out the walking instructions yet. Best test of that would be for a friend to punch in a mystery location on your phone and then for you to blindly navigate to it relying only on your wrist taps (whilst your friend has a bit of a head start and meets you there).
 
The way I feel the difference is left and right are both a series of taps. Except left stutters; right is a constant stream.
 
I tried this on Friday in the UK. It seemed to me that while Left & Right worked as described, for any complex junctions (like roundabouts) I got a double-tap which I assume is there to prompt you to check your watch to be clear
 
It can't give direction taps when dirving because you are stil bound by the junction you also need to be taking.

In the UK we have roundabouts so we always technically turn left in to our junction. our directions are "take the second exit", "take the third exit" etc. There is no way this is going to work on the watch.

The directional taps are only for walking, which you must dictate is what you want to do from the iphone or a verbal instruction from the watch "I want to walk to X".

Pretty obvious when you think about it, but must admit I tried it out this morning in the car before realising driving instructions were going to be very difficult to walking instructions.

Not had a chance to test out the walking instructions yet. Best test of that would be for a friend to punch in a mystery location on your phone and then for you to blindly navigate to it relying only on your wrist taps (whilst your friend has a bit of a head start and meets you there).

So you may not have make a left/right in the UK, but we do in most of the U.S. My link bracelet is still MIA so can someone confirm?
 
I find the taps to be the same. Is mine bugged? Or does it only work for walking not driving? Please someone confirm!
 
I'm in the UK.

I tested it again driving home from work just now, and I definitely never get a continuous stream of 12 taps. Weird.
 
Do you get the 6 taps version for left turn instead?
Yes.

Just tested it out for walking and got the same. 6 taps for left and right.

I wear the watch on my right hand - maybe something to do with that??
 
Just had to take quite a diversion on the way home to avoid roundabouts. Taps work perfectly. Three quick double taps in a row for left and twelve for right.

Not sure I'm overly taken with the twelve for right, but can't think of an alternative that would be distinguishable from normal notifications. I'm sure they must have tested alternatives and settled on this as the best solution.
 
What country are you based in Denzil? Do you wear the watch on your left or right hand?

The interesting thing is that if this works for some people and not others, it suggests it may be more likely to be a hardware problem than a software bug. Maybe the taptic engine on some models is unable to perform the 12 taps in a row.
 
What country are you based in Denzil? Do you wear the watch on your left or right hand?

The interesting thing is that if this works for some people and not others, it suggests it may be more likely to be a hardware problem than a software bug. Maybe the taptic engine on some models is unable to perform the 12 taps in a row.

In the UK. I really don't think the watch is at all safe or useful for in car navigation. The taps occur far to late in order for a required signal to alert other drivers, plus the concentration required to decipher the taps made me feel I wasn't really paying proper attention.

The tap navigation is perfect for walking, where you can pause or not be time critical in taking a direction. I certainly won't be using it in the car again, but can't wait to try it out on foot the next time I'm in London and not sure where I'm going.
 
Maps is a disaster for me. I can't distinguish the taps (except the arrival taps are different to the change direction taps). Maps doesn't seem to know where I am and keep trying to get me to go back to the start.

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In the UK. I really don't think the watch is at all safe or useful for in car navigation.

I would never use my Watch for this. A dedicated satnav is infinitely better.
 
OK I did a wipe/restore of my phone and the haptics seems a little better now.

I did some more testing by driving around the block a few times and I can tell the difference now. Right is a continuous rumble (although I still don't think it reaches 12 taps - maybe 8 or 10), and left is a distinct 6 taps.

The issue is confused slightly by the fact the watch always beeps 6 times, left or right.
 
Maybe the user guide is incorrect?

I know John Gruber said recently he hadn't managed to figure out the 6 taps/12 taps thing himself, pre user guide - surely you'd be able to if it actually worked like that? 12 consecutive taps would be easy to distinguish from 3x2 taps.

While we're on the subject of taps for left and right - I'm a bit disappointed there's no distinct tap pattern for roundabouts (i.e. first exit, second exit etc) - would make navigating without looking at your watch much easier.

I think it would be too complicated to give the taps for a round about.
 
Maps is a disaster for me. I can't distinguish the taps (except the arrival taps are different to the change direction taps). Maps doesn't seem to know where I am and keep trying to get me to go back to the start.
During my testing whilst walking, I've found that if you stop mid-route, then change the destination to be where you've come from, this will cause the app to become buggy - it will constantly tell you to do a u-turn, even after you've done so.

I've also found the maps app to be very slow to load at times. Definitely requires more work.
 
I'm in the UK.

I tested it again driving home from work just now, and I definitely never get a continuous stream of 12 taps. Weird.

You're in the UK? Someone in post #8 who's also in the UK pointed out that directions there are "take the second exit, third exit, etc." Are you actually getting "Make a left/right turn" commands, which should in theory result in the differential taps?
 
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