Apple Watch frustration - What do you use your watch for?

[355922]

So I really havent done much with my watch since getting it in July.

It is good for notifications, a text or 2 when my phone is out of reach, I have exercised a bit, and used the app for tracking results but thats about it. I dont use any apps on it other than the stock apple apps (messages, activity, music controls, time)

I was hoping this watch OS2 would make me use it more but it seems to have done nothing to encourage me to use it more other than for reasons previously mentioned. Im guessing the 3rd party apps running natively is the most important part of this latest update - it should open the door for many things..TBD

I am not complaining about it - so please dont reply and tell me to just sell it or accuse me of hating apple....lol

I like the watch for what it currently provides me, just wish I was more into it. I am usually totally into my gadgets and electronics.

What do you use your watch for beyond the basics? (message notifications, time, text, exercise) What are your favorite apps?

I want to use this thing more! What am I missing out on or is this what it is?

 

[Aniseedvan]

Everyone's use cases are different but for logging my water intake, checking off tasks and my shopping items. The latter is almost used solely now in the shop so I don't have to juggle shopping and drop my phone. Here in the UK contactless is reasonably well adopted so using the watch for payments is great.

 

[dotme]

I had really low expectations when I got my watch, so for me the experience so far has been great. I think I'd reached a point of "technology fatigue" and the watch has actually alleviated that feeling for me. I pull my phone out much less frequently, and if something really needs my immediate attention, I'll get a tap on the wrist - Something that happens only once in a while after setting up notifications on the watch to only trigger if it's something I care to know about.

Sounds funny to hear myself say it, but the biggest payout for me with Apple Watch is that I live more in the present with less time devoted to screen-time, and I've experienced an improvement in quality of life, relationships, and overall awareness as a result. I'm a tech guy by trade, and I love my gadgets - but I'm much happier not feeling so tied to them all the time... if that makes sense.

 

[Armen]

So I really havent done much with my watch since getting it in July.

It is good for notifications, a text or 2 when my phone is out of reach, I have exercised a bit, and used the app for tracking results but thats about it. I dont use any apps on it other than the stock apple apps (messages, activity, music controls, time)

I was hoping this watch OS2 would make me use it more but it seems to have done nothing to encourage me to use it more other than for reasons previously mentioned. Im guessing the 3rd party apps running natively is the most important part of this latest update - it should open the door for many things..TBD

I am not complaining about it - so please dont reply and tell me to just sell it or accuse me of hating apple....lol

I like the watch for what it currently provides me, just wish I was more into it. I am usually totally into my gadgets and electronics.

What do you use your watch for beyond the basics? (message notifications, time, text, exercise) What are your favorite apps?

I want to use this thing more! What am I missing out on or is this what it is?

A Smartwatch doesn't fall into the same category as other devices. It's more of a monitoring device rather than a device you use. It literally is a second monitor to your iPhone with some remote interaction capabilities.

I use mine for activity tracking, notifications, information on watch faces and that's it. I don't use any apps on it at all as the apps are on my iPhone and can just notify me on the watch.

 

[355922]

A Smartwatch doesn't fall into the same category as other devices. It's more of a monitoring device rather than a device you use. It literally is a second monitor to your iPhone with some remote interaction capabilities.

I use mine for activity tracking, notifications, information on watch faces and that's it. I don't use any apps on it at all as the apps are on my iPhone and can just notify me on the watch.

Seems like the same as me.

 

[Mac2me]

So 355922, when you had just a traditional watch did you question why you bought it if it only did one thing? The Apple Watch is what it is, an accessory to your phone and capable of doing a number of things, freeing up your phone for some things so you don't have to take it out all the time and be seen looking at it like you can't live without your phone. I don't get what people think it was going to do beyond other than what Apple said. What would you like it to do? I'm not trying to give you a hard time just really don't understand what people's expectations are.

For a fashionable timepiece on your wrist, it gives you the opportunity to see and track all kinds of information. I really find the standard apps quite convenient and helpful to me. I'm sure there will be a few native apps that I'll want to add for the convenience (and still waiting for my cc company to add Apple Pay which I think will be a huge convenient and secure benefit) but any apps on the watch aren't intended nor do I think they will be something that will rival surfing the internet on the iPhone where you are glued to the screen and so engaged.

So for all those feeling frustrated or disappointed, what more do you want it to do to justify wearing it?

 

[Aniseedvan]

I had really low expectations when I got my watch, so for me the experience so far has been great. I think I'd reached a point of "technology fatigue" and the watch has actually alleviated that feeling for me. I pull my phone out much less frequently, and if something really needs my immediate attention, I'll get a tap on the wrist - Something that happens only once in a while after setting up notifications on the watch to only trigger if it's something I care to know about.

Sounds funny to hear myself say it, but the biggest payout for me with Apple Watch is that I live more in the present with less time devoted to screen-time, and I've experienced an improvement in quality of life, relationships, and overall awareness as a result. I'm a tech guy by trade, and I love my gadgets - but I'm much happier not feeling so tied to them all the time... if that makes sense.

I can relate to that.. Gets the end of a meeting and I'm observing people staring at their phones incase they've missed something. I've usually managed a sly glance when the focus isn't on me and I'm done

 

[douglasf13]

A Smartwatch doesn't fall into the same category as other devices. It's more of a monitoring device rather than a device you use. It literally is a second monitor to your iPhone with some remote interaction capabilities.

I use mine for activity tracking, notifications, information on watch faces and that's it. I don't use any apps on it at all as the apps are on my iPhone and can just notify me on the watch.

Yep, agreed. I consider it an accessory to my pocket computer, just like an external monitor or other peripheral is an accessory to my laptop.

 

[Mac2me]

BTW I've had TuneIn Radio on my phone for a while and use it occasionally. When I updated to 9.0 on the phone, saw that there was a watch app too so loaded that after updating to watch OS2. Basically the watch app acts as a remote to control what station you listen to on your iPhone. I added to my glances as well. Not sure if I needed to but for now like the swipe access.

I can ask Siri to open TuneInRadio and it will bring up 4 stations (assume from my Favorites there or recents maybe) and I can select one of them. I had the station playing and asked Siri to pause and she did. The volume controls on the watch will adjust the volume on the iPhone speakers (a few seconds of delay with the phone next to me). I can say "hey, Siri show me glances TuneInRadio" and she will bring it to the face. By clicking on "Playing" on the screen I can go back to the station choices. Just tried this out so still experimenting on how to navigate in this app using Siri and the Watch. I think this is pretty helpful and will be super simple to use after I learn the ins and outs of the app.

You just need to experiment with things that you think will be helpful to you and not get frustrated trying to figure out the apps. There is a learning curve but a lot should be known already if you use Siri frequently, which I don't. When I have some time I'm going to see if the TuneInRadio app has a guide for using on the Watch to speed up my learning curve.

I also found out that even if your phone is off, and you bring up TuneinRadio on your watch (again did through glances) and play a station, it will open up your phone and play on the speakers there. Phone stays locked. Cool. I'm really new to working with 3rd party apps on the watch in way of explaining my excitement over begin able to do this.

 

[355922]

So 355922, when you had just a traditional watch did you question why you bought it if it only did one thing? The Apple Watch is what it is, an accessory to your phone and capable of doing a number of things, freeing up your phone for some things so you don't have to take it out all the time and be seen looking at it like you can't live without your phone. I don't get what people think it was going to do beyond other than what Apple said. What would you like it to do? I'm not trying to give you a hard time just really don't understand what people's expectations are.

For a fashionable timepiece on your wrist, it gives you the opportunity to see and track all kinds of information. I really find the standard apps quite convenient and helpful to me. I'm sure there will be a few native apps that I'll want to add for the convenience (and still waiting for my cc company to add Apple Pay which I think will be a huge convenient and secure benefit) but any apps on the watch aren't intended nor do I think they will be something that will rival surfing the internet on the iPhone where you are glued to the screen and so engaged.

So for all those feeling frustrated or disappointed, what more do you want it to do to justify wearing it?

I didnt use a traditional watch, i thought that they were pointless since I usually always had a phone in my hand or was staring at a computer. I know what the apple watch is and what it does at a high level. I was just checking in to see what others are doing that im not doing because I feel like im potentially missing out.

I dont need to justify wearing it and I dont need anyone to defend it. Im wearing it and enjoy it - just frustrated at times because I feel like there could be more use out of it that I havent discovered yet.

 

[douglasf13]

I didnt use a traditional watch, i thought that they were pointless since I usually always had a phone in my hand or was staring at a computer. I know what the apple watch is and what it does at a high level. I was just checking in to see what others are doing that im not doing because I feel like im potentially missing out.

I dont need to justify wearing it and I dont need anyone to defend it. Im wearing it and enjoy it - just frustrated at times because I feel like there could be more use out of it that I havent discovered yet.

That's a big hurdle that Apple has with the watch. For people like me, who already wore watches everyday, it seems very useful. For those who don't wear a watch, because they don't mind taking their phone out of their pocket for the time, it's probably a harder sell.

 

[BlueMoon63]

I use mine for all my workouts with Bluetooth headphones on listening to music or books and tracking my workouts. While I am golfing, I have the workout running and using golfshot to check distance on each shot. While I am doing any of these things, I am still updating to do lists and calendar events and texting and emailing without doing anything except telling Siri what to do. Works flawlessly.

I can mow the lawn and work on the yard taking phone calls and listening to music and updating tasks and taking notes and remindedrs and never touch my phone. In many cases the phone is in the house or upstairs charging.

I lock my phone in my desk drawer and work across a 15 floor building updating my tasks and emails and responding to my wife without ever touching the phone. I leave the phone in my locker as I swim and track the workout.

I'm to the point that I use my phone rarely except for browsing and back and forth texting. Siri is doing everything for me from emails to texts to appointments to to do lists to alarms to timers to note taking. All while working out, email at work, updating diagrams at work and cad drawing work. Never using my phone or touching the screen.

This is a typical day or week and never using my phone. I've even went shopping without my phone using pay pal and using the city wi-fi to send texts and update lists and to dos and calendar events.

Running the streets without my phone after a few calibrations and being accurate and perfect for heart rate for an hour workout not losing the pulse once.

Forgot to add that my wife is happy that I now use the watch as my silent alarm and my ribs don't hurt from her jabbing me. I am a heavy sleeper.

I also have sleep tracker and exercise tracker apps to measure my heart rate. They are great to monitor over time seeing your improvement for the same workout. Showed my doctor the improvement and he was impressed. Not with me but the apps and watch tracking.

Apple Watch does all this and I can swim at the Y with the sport band, shower and awitch to the SS link and suit and the watch looks professional. And I now have 7 bands and debating how good the black link would look with the SS watch.

 

[Armen]

Seems like the same as me.

If that's the case you're using it as designed.

 

[Mac2me]

I didnt use a traditional watch, i thought that they were pointless since I usually always had a phone in my hand or was staring at a computer. I know what the apple watch is and what it does at a high level. I was just checking in to see what others are doing that im not doing because I feel like im potentially missing out.

I dont need to justify wearing it and I dont need anyone to defend it. Im wearing it and enjoy it - just frustrated at times because I feel like there could be more use out of it that I havent discovered yet.

I did get all that from you from your first post and guess my first reply made you feel defensive. Sorry, it wasn't my intent really. If your post only asked about what cool things are people doing with their watches and left out the feeling of frustration, I might not have responded as I did. I really am curious though when people state things like this, and being on the forum I'm sure you've seen all the threads already, what people who feel "something's" missing are wanting from the Watch that will make them feel less so. That's all. My post was really looking for an answer to that. And I know many of you on here are not the general public but more tech savvy so curious what apps you're kind of looking for. The answer might be a springboard to someone coming up with an app for that.

 

[355922]

I did get all that from you from your first post and guess my first reply made you feel defensive. Sorry, it wasn't my intent really. If your post only asked about what cool things are people doing with their watches and left out the feeling of frustration, I might not have responded as I did. I really am curious though when people state things like this, and being on the forum I'm sure you've seen all the threads already, what people who feel "something's" missing are wanting from the Watch that will make them feel less so. That's all. My post was really looking for an answer to that. And I know many of you on here are not the general public but more tech savvy so curious what apps you're kind of looking for. The answer might be a springboard to someone coming up with an app for that.

I was expecting much worse after making this thread. Ive been here since the 3gs came out and seen the over reaction / offense taken to simple questions. im surprised after my question i didnt get a smartazz response telling me to just go android if i hate it so much.

 

[355922]

If that's the case you're using it as designed.

well it certianly appears that way. im sure the 3rd party native apps might open the door for some fresh ideas and more functionality.

 

[Four oF NINE]

delete

 

[Four oF NINE]

So I really havent done much with my watch since getting it in July.

It is good for notifications, a text or 2 when my phone is out of reach, I have exercised a bit, and used the app for tracking results but thats about it. I dont use any apps on it other than the stock apple apps (messages, activity, music controls, time)

I was hoping this watch OS2 would make me use it more but it seems to have done nothing to encourage me to use it more other than for reasons previously mentioned. Im guessing the 3rd party apps running natively is the most important part of this latest update - it should open the door for many things..TBD

I am not complaining about it - so please dont reply and tell me to just sell it or accuse me of hating apple....lol

I like the watch for what it currently provides me, just wish I was more into it. I am usually totally into my gadgets and electronics.

What do you use your watch for beyond the basics? (message notifications, time, text, exercise) What are your favorite apps?

I want to use this thing more! What am I missing out on or is this what it is?

#17
Besides being a watch for me, I think of it as an iPhone extension. Having Siri right there is useful, great for setting timers. Using it as a controller for the iPod part of the iPhone, and it's great for notifications.

The watch is a great companion.. My history is sort of weird with it, I bought one when they were new and took it back after two weeks..

But I was missing it, and so I bought it again when the new models came out.

I think you'll like it more the longer you have it.. just hang in there

 

[deany]

Everyone's use cases are different but for logging my water intake, checking off tasks and my shopping items. The latter is almost used solely now in the shop so I don't have to juggle shopping and drop my phone. Here in the UK contactless is reasonably well adopted so using the watch for payments is great.

which water logger do you use that actually works?

waterlogged didn't update correctly
daily water- black screen

OP this is a great app..... if we can find an app that works as it should!

cheers

 

[deany]

I had really low expectations when I got my watch, so for me the experience so far has been great. I think I'd reached a point of "technology fatigue" and the watch has actually alleviated that feeling for me. I pull my phone out much less frequently, and if something really needs my immediate attention, I'll get a tap on the wrist - Something that happens only once in a while after setting up notifications on the watch to only trigger if it's something I care to know about.

Sounds funny to hear myself say it, but the biggest payout for me with Apple Watch is that I live more in the present with less time devoted to screen-time, and I've experienced an improvement in quality of life, relationships, and overall awareness as a result. I'm a tech guy by trade, and I love my gadgets - but I'm much happier not feeling so tied to them all the time... if that makes sense.

exactly the same for me and well put by yourself, thanks.

I suffered from terrible iphone addiction, the Apple watch has cured me and now I can concentrate on the important things in life (ironic but true).

Also, the last time I went to the Doctors (for my six monthly precautionary full blood test), the Dr's wife who is also the surgery nurse said she didn't recognise me! because 'you have lost so much weight and look so well'.

 

[dictoresno]

i can't be on my phone at work, correctional setting, so i use it for text notifications discreetly and use the timer to time my half hour tours.

 

[greytmom]

I want to use this thing more! What am I missing out on or is this what it is?

I think part of the problem here is that you are expecting the watch to be something it's not. You have to think about it differently than you would a phone, iPad, iPod, computer, etc.

It isn't something you spend a lot of time doing, it's something that frees up time, manages time, enhances time.

I look at mine hundreds of times during the day. It is synced with work calendar and personal calendar, and believe me, i have a zillion things on both calendars. I get probably 50 or more texts per day, and I can read them on the watch, choose to respond right away with a short answer, a recorded answer, or if it's something that requires a larger amount of time in which to reply, I know pull out my phone to text back. Or possibly even call the person. But I do NOT have to pull out my phone and look at it every time I get a text notification.

I particularly love the ability, when I do get phone calls, to decline to answer them on the watch. Because that shuts my phone up as well. And then I can listen to the voicemail that comes through on the watch, to decide if I do want to get back to the person or not!

When the stress of the work day is getting to me and I decide to make myself a cup of tea, I can go ahead and set it to steep and simply tell Siri to set my timer for however many minutes it requires for the tea to steep. And I do that almost every day.

I take medication at weird times during the day, so I have reminders set up to remind me to take my medication. With my job, I would forget the day time dose almost every day if it wasn't for that reminder.

I use the activity app and the workout app because I try to fill up those rings every day.

I use Dark Sky pretty religiously, since I live in Florida. I do NOT like lightning so if a storm is coming I bail out of the office before it hits.

I have a playlist synced to my watch because I fly frequently and it is just really convenient to be able to pop on a pair Bluetooth headphones and listen to music without having to carry anything else with me or pull anything else out of my carry-on. And it's really cool to have your boarding pass on your wrist!

Maps. I use Maps ALL the time, both for driving and walking directions. I particularly like using it for walking directions when I'm in a city that I've never been to before, since I really don't want to have my phone out looking like a tourist.

Apple Pay. Oh how I love Apple Pay. I don't carry money very often, so when I need something from the vending machine at work it's really nice just to walk over and wave my watch in front of it. I don't even have to have my phone with me. I bought groceries at Trader Joe's the other day. Wave the watch and boom, I'm done.

I could go on a lot longer, but I think you get the point. It's all these little nuances that really make the watch indispensable to someone like me. I wear it every day. And I totally would feel naked without it on. I have been known to drive back and get it if I forgot to put on that morning!

 

[deany]

^ excellent post, thanks for the time sharing this, put in a far better way than I ever could.

 

[greytmom]

^ excellent post, thanks for the time sharing this in a far better way than I ever could.

Thank God for dictation... Would have taken forever if I had to type that out.

 

[Cayden]

I don't use mine for much. Just the weather complication, sunrise/sunset complication, for Apple Pay, and I usually check activity at the end of the day. I honestly just bought mind to have a nice looking watch, and the bonuses of notifications and weather did it for me. I doubt I'll get the second one, as I can't see anything that would really entice me. I don't ever use most of the apps, I sometimes use it for directions, but other than that it's just to use as a watch! I think it's just a nice timepiece in my eyes and I find it nice to look at my wrist and see a nice watch on it