Apple Watch As My Primary Device

[ipedro]

Jony Ive was recently quoted when asked what he regrets about the iPhone is "Perhaps its constant use." I've wondered about that and how to return to living in the real world while still having access to the power of the internet with me wherever I go. The answer is the Apple Watch.

Unlike an iPhone, when you receive a notification on your Watch, you raise your wrist, acknowledge it, perhaps act on it right there (i.e. reply to a message) then lower your wrist and return to the world around you. With an iPhone, that one notification often leads to time wasters, scrolling through endless newsfeeds, watching videos, reading websites, playing games, etc.

So ever since the AppleWatch was announced, I've been wondering what would be necessary for it to become my primary device. Series 3 is perhaps the first time that it might actually be possible. LTE was of course necessary to separate it from the iPhone and to take calls. That's now true. Speed was a major letdown on the original AppleWatch. Series 3 is now incredibly fast where there is no wait time between launching apps or asking Siri a question. But what else would be needed?

To become the primary device that I always carry with me, and where an iPhone is optional, the AppleWatch needs to do a few things.

Siri can answer many of the questions you'd open Safari and search for. It's getting better and better at these questions.
Music is another reason why I carry an iPhone and Apple Music is now built into Apple Watch and I can listen with AirPods.
I use my iPhone to keep track of my day and to do's. Apple Watch already manages my calendar and I use the Things app for my To Do list. It now works with Siri.
My iPhone is my wallet and keys and controls my home. I don't carry an actual wallet or keys. ApplePay and HomeKit devices are also in Apple Watch.

So what would I be missing? I'm a photographer so always having a camera with me is a nice perk that I'll miss but I have a much better camera that I can take with me when I'm out for a walk. I just won't have one if something interesting and unexpected happens. Maybe I'll end up carrying my Sony a9 with me more often and getting better quality photos that I'm proud of rather than the sub par iPhone pics I was getting.

My Apple Watch Series 3 LTE arrives on Friday. I'm going to give leaving my iPhone at home a try. Has anyone else considered living with just an AppleWatch as their primary device?

 

[elfxmilhouse]

I also have the vision of being able to use just the watch as my only device. A watch and a set of bluetooth headphones would feel awesome when leaving the house.

I think the series 3 gets very close to this reality. The addition of LTE helps immensely. However, I feel like the battery life is not good enough for all day use as the only device.

Also keep in mind that the iPhone the AW3 is paired with must be turned on and connected to the internet in order for the AW3 LTE to work fully. So if you leave the phone at home the phone needs to have wifi or cellular data access.
The phone works like a proxy to the AW3.

 

[dave006]

Only thing you are missing is a Backpack to carry a backup battery and cable to recharge your Watch. Without an iPhone near by it can burn through the battery quite quickly.

Dave

 

[ipedro]

I've been reading Series 3 LTE reviews and the consensus seems to be that it'll last you a day with regular LTE use and a day to a day and a half with mixed LTE and iPhone tethered use. Since I'm coming from a Series 0, that's acceptable. I usually put my AppleWatch on at around 9AM and take it off before going to bed at 11. About 4 or 5 of hours of that I'm away from home, the rest of the time, I'm on WiFi and near my phone at my desk. I don't expect battery to be much of an issue.

 

[keeper]

Car and you can quickly do a recharge, I’m amazed how quickly mine chargers. I now only take my watch on bike rides, which is a bit different to working.

You have nothing to loose giving it a go, but we are in a position where you do need a phone to configure the watch, I wonder how long it will be before we don’t actually need the phone and just have a watch contract where you configure from an iPad, Mac or PC.

It’s the next stop of can I just use an iPad and not have a Mac.

 

[riverfreak]

Jony Ive was recently quoted when asked what he regrets about the iPhone is "Perhaps its constant use." I've wondered about that and how to return to living in the real world while still having access to the power of the internet with me wherever I go. The answer is the Apple Watch.

Unlike an iPhone, when you receive a notification on your Watch, you raise your wrist, acknowledge it, perhaps act on it right there (i.e. reply to a message) then lower your wrist and return to the world around you. With an iPhone, that one notification often leads to time wasters, scrolling through endless newsfeeds, watching videos, reading websites, playing games, etc.

So ever since the AppleWatch was announced, I've been wondering what would be necessary for it to become my primary device. Series 3 is perhaps the first time that it might actually be possible. LTE was of course necessary to separate it from the iPhone and to take calls. That's now true. Speed was a major letdown on the original AppleWatch. Series 3 is now incredibly fast where there is no wait time between launching apps or asking Siri a question. But what else would be needed?

To become the primary device that I always carry with me, and where an iPhone is optional, the AppleWatch needs to do a few things.

Siri can answer many of the questions you'd open Safari and search for. It's getting better and better at these questions.
Music is another reason why I carry an iPhone and Apple Music is now built into Apple Watch and I can listen with AirPods.
I use my iPhone to keep track of my day and to do's. Apple Watch already manages my calendar and I use the Things app for my To Do list. It now works with Siri.
My iPhone is my wallet and keys and controls my home. I don't carry an actual wallet or keys. ApplePay and HomeKit devices are also in Apple Watch.

So what would I be missing? I'm a photographer so always having a camera with me is a nice perk that I'll miss but I have a much better camera that I can take with me when I'm out for a walk. I just won't have one if something interesting and unexpected happens. Maybe I'll end up carrying my Sony a9 with me more often and getting better quality photos that I'm proud of rather than the sub par iPhone pics I was getting.

My Apple Watch Series 3 LTE arrives on Friday. I'm going to give leaving my iPhone at home a try. Has anyone else considered living with just an AppleWatch as their primary device?

Excellent post. I’ve been exploring operating simply with the Watch as often as I can. Phones simply carry too much distraction and apps and sites are too deliberately manipulative of our attention.

I’ve even gone a step further and deeply constrained what apps are on the watch and what notifications and from whom I wish to receive. It’s AWESOME. I’ve also done the same but to a slightly lesser extent on my phone, too.

As for Music, that has been a fairly frustrating experience. I can’t get the Apple Watch+AirPods to play more than a single song without having to fumble around with play/pause, take in/take out.

The battery life is incredible. I typically have > 50% left at the end of the day. But I’m also not poking it constantly. That’s the whole point — to use it when needed.
[doublepost=1508960243][/doublepost]And in case you are wondering what you can/cannot do under different scenarios, see this support document:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205547

If you get a lot of non iMessages via SMS or MMS, you’ll need to leave your phone on and connected. I don’t so it doesn’t phase me, but I’m sure there are times when I might miss something, such as an automated SMS notification.

 

[ipedro]

Other than getting my life back without constant distractions, I found another potential benefit: significant savings on my data plan. I have a pretty large data plan (12GB). I'm trying to find out how much data an Apple Watch would use.

Also, I think I read that in the US, Watch data usage is not counted towards your data plan's allotment. I haven't been able to get a straight answer from Bell, my cell company here in Canada. Anybody know?

 

[bthompson]

I am in the same place as you. I have been using the S3 sans iPhone most days, unless I really need to have a phone with me. It's great. Is it limiting? Yes, but I think this is primarily habit from always having an iPhone on me for the past 6 years. Battery life on LTE and Wifi I am finding isn't super great, I am usually needing to charge it up around 5p after all day use.

 

[ipedro]

I am in the same place as you. I have been using the S3 sans iPhone most days, unless I really need to have a phone with me. It's great. Is it limiting? Yes, but I think this is primarily habit from always having an iPhone on me for the past 6 years. Battery life on LTE and Wifi I am finding isn't super great, I am usually needing to charge it up around 5p after all day use.

I have seen a few exceptions to the generally praised battery life. The only explanations I can think of is whether or not you're working out (and for how long) and in which city you're in because the reception quality affects battery life on all cellular devices.

 

[Fireball Dragon]

ipedro, I agree with your views of a simpler time. Seeing almost everyone so engrossed on their phones in the train makes me cringe. I am guilty at times, but try to be quick if I do have to take my phone out in public. Prefer to be productive as opposed to a content consumer, but each to their own.

Back on subject, I'm really looking forward to getting LTE on my watch once my network supports it.

 

[Frankfurt]

This works generally well for several hours a day. However, if you use your iPhone as primary phone, i.e. also as your business phone, then the talk time per day exceeds what the S3 battery can handle.
Nevertheless, I am leaving the phone in the office over lunch or when going to brief meetings - all in all probably for 2-3 hrs per day. The S3 is truly an outstanding device, especially when upgrading from a S0 and pairing it with AirPods.

 

[riverfreak]

This works generally well for several hours a day. However, if you use your iPhone as primary phone, i.e. also as your business phone, then the talk time per day exceeds what the S3 battery can handle.
Nevertheless, I am leaving the phone in the office over lunch or when going to brief meetings - all in all probably for 2-3 hrs per day. The S3 is truly an outstanding device, especially when upgrading from a S0 and pairing it with AirPods.

Yep, the battery wouldn't fit the bill if you need to rely upon lots of voice conversations.

But I have to say I have had endless problems with the Airpods and the Apple Watch.

 

[dave006]

Battery is only rated at 1hr of total LTE talk time. I can easily make it through most days but on the odd day I need a quick 30 minute charge to make sure that I end up with a reserve for "just in case" situations.

Dave

 

[Frankfurt]

Yep, the battery wouldn't fit the bill if you need to rely upon lots of voice conversations.

But I have to say I have had endless problems with the Airpods and the Apple Watch.

Interested in your comment on problems with AirPods and watch. The only issue I see is when switching back and forth between devices, e.g. from Watch to phone to MacBook Pro. It takes a while for the switch to happen, i.e I may loose the call once they finally connect. Otherwise, they work beautifully together for me.

 

[musicpenguy]

I am in the same place as you. I have been using the S3 sans iPhone most days, unless I really need to have a phone with me. It's great. Is it limiting? Yes, but I think this is primarily habit from always having an iPhone on me for the past 6 years. Battery life on LTE and Wifi I am finding isn't super great, I am usually needing to charge it up around 5p after all day use.

Recharging isn’t a huge deal breaker to me as you’ll be charging an iPhone mid day with heavy use and recharging is nice and quick. The battery life is impressive even being on LTE most of the day. The phone is my least used device these days thanks to the LTE Watch. When lounging or working I’m on my iPad, and then my watch for everything else.
[doublepost=1508977072][/doublepost]

Yep, the battery wouldn't fit the bill if you need to rely upon lots of voice conversations.

But I have to say I have had endless problems with the Airpods and the Apple Watch.

Any tests on battery life for WiFi calls? Curious how good that is compared to LTE.

 

[co1f]

Other than getting my life back without constant distractions, I found another potential benefit: significant savings on my data plan. I have a pretty large data plan (12GB). I'm trying to find out how much data an Apple Watch would use.

Also, I think I read that in the US, Watch data usage is not counted towards your data plan's allotment. I haven't been able to get a straight answer from Bell, my cell company here in Canada. Anybody know?

Nice thread idea. Would be good to see how far users can push watch independence, so Apple can provide full support sometime in the future.

Battery life has been covered. That’s probably the biggest limitation. If one turns off HRM, and other non-essentials (workout power savings mode, limit GPS), then can eek out more battery life.

Doubt you’d use a lot of data, as that would also eat up more battery.

I use ATT (US), and watch data does count against my plan.

 

[ipedro]

I found a limitation of not carrying an iPhone. I like to write down my thoughts when they come to me through the day. After doing some searching, I found that Day One has a Watch app where I can record my thoughts with voice.

I think this thread has legs. I’ll keep you all updated on how it goes. If anybody wants to join in with challenges they’ve encountered and solutions that they’ve found while trying to go Watch only, please feel free to share them here.

 

[dave006]

Other than getting my life back without constant distractions, I found another potential benefit: significant savings on my data plan. I have a pretty large data plan (12GB). I'm trying to find out how much data an Apple Watch would use.

Also, I think I read that in the US, Watch data usage is not counted towards your data plan's allotment. I haven't been able to get a straight answer from Bell, my cell company here in Canada. Anybody know?

The Watch app on your iPhone keeps track of Cellular data usage. Open Watch app, Tap Cellular and right below your Cellular Plan you should see a continuing updated report of your cellular data usage.

In the US, it depends on the Carrier plan that you have as to if you are "charged" for LTE data usage by the Watch. On Unlimited data plans, well it is unlimited. On Mobile Share plans, the Watch's data usage comes out of the shared Data bucket.

I have only had my Watch since Oct. 5th and my LTE data usage is a grand total of 7 MB as of 3 hours ago. I have found it very hard to use much LTE data.

Dave

 

[co1f]

I found a limitation of not carrying an iPhone. I like to write down my thoughts when they come to me through the day. After doing some searching, I found that Day One has a Watch app where I can record my thoughts with voice.

View attachment 727378

I think this thread has legs. I’ll keep you all updated on how it goes. If anybody wants to join in with challenges they’ve encountered and solutions that they’ve found while trying to go Watch only, please feel free to share them here.

Just Press Record is a really nice watch app, which will also transcribe. Works standalone, then will sync with your phone, and uploads to iCloud automatically!

 

[ipedro]

The Watch app on your iPhone keeps track of Cellular data usage. Open Watch app, Tap Cellular and right below your Cellular Plan you should see a continuing updated report of your cellular data usage.

In the US, it depends on the Carrier plan that you have as to if you are "charged" for LTE data usage by the Watch. On Unlimited data plans, well it is unlimited. On Mobile Share plans, the Watch's data usage comes out of the shared Data bucket.

I have only had my Watch since Oct. 5th and my LTE data usage is a grand total of 7 MB as of 3 hours ago. I have found it very hard to use much LTE data.

Dave

Geez... that’s amazing. I pay CAD$125 for 12GB. Cellular data is straight up highway robbery here in Canada. If I ditch the phone and just carry my Watch, I can lower that to a basic 2GB plan and halve my cell bill.

 

[throAU]

The battery life when on LTE is pretty poor.

What i’d like to see is ability to pair to an ipad.

Leave ipad in bag, use watch - with it paired to the ipad via WIFI.

The phone for me is now an in-between device that is less useful, much like a laptop for me is an in-between device that sits awkwardly between the ipad and a proper desktop.

 

[musicpenguy]

I found a limitation of not carrying an iPhone. I like to write down my thoughts when they come to me through the day. After doing some searching, I found that Day One has a Watch app where I can record my thoughts with voice.

View attachment 727378

I think this thread has legs. I’ll keep you all updated on how it goes. If anybody wants to join in with challenges they’ve encountered and solutions that they’ve found while trying to go Watch only, please feel free to share them here.

Bear and Drafts are great for note taking on the watch without the phone.

 

[ipedro]

What i’d like to see is ability to pair to an ipad.

I think that this is on the way. AppleWatches are being spotted in the wild like crazy now. How do they grow beyond that? Like the iPod did. They make AppleWatch possible for Android owners and for those who don’t even want to own a phone at all.

I think that we’ll see a downloadable Apple Watch app for iOS and Android in the next year or two. That’ll allow anybody to set up an AppleWatch and use the Watch standalone or paired to the device it was set up with.

 

[rillrill]

Digging this thread. I'm on board for trying to live less with the phone too.

My set up is an Apple Watch with LTE
iPhone 8 Plus
Macbook (mostly for work)

I might switch back to an iPhone SE (at 350 its a deal), since the plus is too much of a hassle to use... too big. Since I also, really only use the phone for a camera, I might as well get the most inexpensive one and use the watch more, right? I will check back in on using an Apple Watch more and a phone less once I get the right set up.

 

[bthompson]

Digging this thread. I'm on board for trying to live less with the phone too.

My set up is an Apple Watch with LTE
iPhone 8 Plus
Macbook (mostly for work)

I might switch back to an iPhone SE (at 350 its a deal), since the plus is too much of a hassle to use... to big. Since I also, really only use the phone for a camera, I might as well get the most inexpensive one and use the watch more, right? I will check back in on using an Apple Watch more and a phone less once I get the right set up.

I’m considering the SE as well. I have an iPhone 6 that isn’t great but considered the SE to save money.