Do you use your Apple Watch as much now, as when you bought\received it?
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I've worn my Apple Watch every day for over a year now. Hope that helps.
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Apple Watch use
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I've worn my Apple Watch every day for over a year now. Hope that helps.
I got it when it first came out, I tired to use apps and such, but found it useless. I now just use it to tell time and occasionally turn on bluetooth to get notifications. Oh yeah, I play A Game of Pong every 3 months.
Just got mine a few days ago. I feel like I have pretty realistic expectations. I'm using it primarily as a watch (I don't normally wear a watch) and fitness tracker. If that's all it did I'd be happy with it, especially since I feel like I got a deal (bought it used). Beyond that I don't feel like it does much the phone doesn't already do. Like I said though, I'm ok with that.
One other thing I like is notifications. As most of you know, sometimes pulling out your phone to check something real quick often leads to spending more time on the phone than you had planned. Having notifications on the watch has definitely helped me to be more present with my family in the evenings. Would be interesting to see how many times I turned on my phone before AW vs. after AW.
Now I'm just looking forward to all of the improvements coming with watchOS 3.
One other thing I like is notifications. As most of you know, sometimes pulling out your phone to check something real quick often leads to spending more time on the phone than you had planned. Having notifications on the watch has definitely helped me to be more present with my family in the evenings. Would be interesting to see how many times I turned on my phone before AW vs. after AW.
Now I'm just looking forward to all of the improvements coming with watchOS 3.
I totally agree. The notifications really changed the way I use (or don't use) my iPhone. The Apple Watch probably saves me from pulling out my iPhone dozens of times a day when all I need to do is check a notification, the time/date, view my calendar, weather, etc. That adds up, but the watch has also made me much more selective about what apps and information is worthy of tapping me on the wrist. I also keep my watch and iPhone totally silent, so I don't have any gadgets beeping at me (and the people around me). I just get the tap on the wrist when I need to look at my watch. This really makes the iPhone feel less intrusive and demanding of my attention than it used to be (and even makes reminders feel less urgent or stressful). While the Apple Watch is now the device demanding my attention throughout the day, it is designed for quick glances rather than extended interactions. It doesn't draw you in by saying, "While you've got your iPhone out, might as well check Facebook, the news, email, Slack, etc."
I still spend more time looking at my iPhone than I probably should, but I'm now more conscious about it. When I'm with my family I will try to avoid getting it out whenever there is an opportunity for some quality time.
There is a misconception that wearing a smartwatch contributes to (or is a sign of) technology addiction because it keeps you connected so you never miss a notification. I have heard people say they are not interested in the Apple Watch because they just don't feel the need to be that connected. Meanwhile they probably spend more time staring at their mobile technology than I do
Sean
There is a misconception that wearing a smartwatch contributes to (or is a sign of) technology addiction because it keeps you connected so you never miss a notification. I have heard people say they are not interested in the Apple Watch because they just don't feel the need to be that connected. Meanwhile they probably spend more time staring at their mobile technology than I do
In fact, those naysayers usually spend more time compulsively checking their iPhones than I do. I actually dock my iPhone more often at home because I know I'm connected via my AW. I now simply allow notifications to come to me, rather than the other way around (notifications from iPhone don't count because I often miss them in my pocket).
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i totally agree - use it more that at the start and saves grabbing the phone. ONLY issue i have now is i am about to get my 3rd SG SW as both the others have suffered sweat based corrosion - original straps etc etc
@caligurl, I'm really interested in how you (and others who do this) use the Apple Watch all day as well as while sleeping. Forgive me if this has been discussed to death; I'm a bit of an Apple Watch newbie but am probably going to make the switch from my Fitbit sometime in the next few months. So, I'm doing my research now! I read that it takes a couple hours to fully charge the watch, but since you have two, do you just switch yours out during the day? I'm curious about what others who only have one watch do too. Sleep tracking is one thing I use my Fitbit for a lot so I'll need to figure out something for that once I make the switch. Thanks in advance for any advice you guys have.
I wish the battery life was better so I could use the sleep tracking. I charge mine at night. I've considered going back to my Fitbit Charge HR for sleep tracking but I don't feel like charging and swapping around devices.
I charge mine while we're hanging out after dinner, then put it back on before bed. I use it as my alarm clock because its wrist taps are so effective at waking me up.
Yeah, that's what I initially thought of doing - wearing my Fitbit at night just for sleep tracking. Not ideal though.
I never thought of the alarm tapping function, but that sounds awesome and very intriguing! I am one of those people who has to set 3+ alarms on her iPhone before actually waking up...
Give it a shot, whether for a nap or a non-workday morning. Or just set the watch for a few minutes earlier than your phone and see if it gets you up first.
I still set multiple alarms on the watch, but the taps alone can wake me up without disturbing my wife.
@caligurl, I'm really interested in how you (and others who do this) use the Apple Watch all day as well as while sleeping. Forgive me if this has been discussed to death; I'm a bit of an Apple Watch newbie but am probably going to make the switch from my Fitbit sometime in the next few months. So, I'm doing my research now! I read that it takes a couple hours to fully charge the watch, but since you have two, do you just switch yours out during the day? I'm curious about what others who only have one watch do too. Sleep tracking is one thing I use my Fitbit for a lot so I'll need to figure out something for that once I make the switch. Thanks in advance for any advice you guys have.
I still use my old Fitbit One for sleep tracking sometimes. It does a decent job of showing me how restless I was, and how long I was out of bed when the dog needed to go out at 4am. The downside is that it doesn't integrate with Healthkit like some of the watch apps do. I'm not sure that's terribly important to me, but I might give the Fitbit to a family member.
The Apple Watch charges really quickly, but you need a consistent charging routine so you remember to do it. Try to pick a time when you won't be doing much activity for it to record. Lately I have been charging it while we put our kids to bed and read to them. I'm going to give Pillow a try as my next sleep app. It looks like it provides a lot of the same feedback as the Fitbit, plus more. I tried Sleep Watch using one of the promo codes posted here, but it seems to just track your heart rate while sleeping and doesn't show when you were restless or out of bed.
Sean
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I can't tell you how much my wife appreciates me using my Apple Watch as an alarm
Even if I use it in nightstand mode it is quiet enough that my wife isn't really disturbed by it, but whether it's in nightstand mode or on my wrist (where the haptics wake me up), the Apple Watch has been my only alarm for the past year. The only time it failed to wake me was when I forgot to charge it and it drained completely. That only happened once. Even if you forget to charge there is usually enough battery left for it to wake you up.
For the past week or so, I've been trying to get used to having an Apple Watch. Albeit, I'm still wondering for $499, do I really need an Apple Watch?
Depends on how you define "need." I think it takes a good 10 days or so to begin to get a sense for what it can do, and even after a year I am using my Apple Watch in ways I never considered six months ago.
If you think of it as a device that, apart from fitness tracking, duplicates the functionality of your iPhone in ways that do not add value for you: Then you either don't need one or your needs might be served just as well by a less expensive fitness tracker. If you value the conveniences it provides as an extension of your iPhone, you can easily justify it.
For me the Apple Watch has absolutely had a positive impact on my health. Not just the fitness tracking (which I already had with a Fitbit), but also in terms of reducing stress by helping me stay organized and reducing the amount of time I spend starting at my iPhone. It makes many things more convenient to me, and those little things add up.
Sean
Brilliant points @sean000
I do like not having to always take my phone with me, as I wonder the halls of my office building. And, of course, not always having to take it out of my pocket helps, too
Now I'm trying to get used to 'Stand' reminder. That certainly helps, as working in IT, I tend to find myself sitting all day. Rather sad really...
I do like not having to always take my phone with me, as I wonder the halls of my office building. And, of course, not always having to take it out of my pocket helps, too
Now I'm trying to get used to 'Stand' reminder. That certainly helps, as working in IT, I tend to find myself sitting all day. Rather sad really...
I feel your pain. I work in IT and now, even worse, I work from home 100% of the time and then travel by plane 16 hours one way. The stand reminders are good, but it is also a sad reminder that I sit way too much.Brilliant points @sean000
I do like not having to always take my phone with me, as I wonder the halls of my office building. And, of course, not always having to take it out of my pocket helps, too
Now I'm trying to get used to 'Stand' reminder. That certainly helps, as working in IT, I tend to find myself sitting all day. Rather sad really...
Watch OS3 and a new version of the watch could make this even better.
I've always been a watch wearer so it is natural to me. My wife loves the silent alarms
I just finished a web coding immersive course, and the instructors always advocated taking breaks. One of them even enforced it by kicking everyone out of the classroom when it was time for a break.
I'm coming out of a job where sitting was the exception and not the norm. I'm not exactly excited about entering a field where it's so easy to sit all day.
Brilliant points @sean000
I do like not having to always take my phone with me, as I wonder the halls of my office building. And, of course, not always having to take it out of my pocket helps, too
Now I'm trying to get used to 'Stand' reminder. That certainly helps, as working in IT, I tend to find myself sitting all day. Rather sad really...
I work in IT as well. The secret to sitting less is to attend more meetings that you have to walk to. Of course meetings can have a negative impact on your mental health, but at least your stand ring will be complete!
In fact I am often working outside of my office going to meetings or working on projects at other sites, but the Apple Watch helps with that as well. It helps me keep up with where I am supposed to be and when. I never have to remember to silence my iPhone, and my staff can still reach me if there is an emergency. We use Slack for much of our communication, and I have Slack set to notify me when my name is mentioned or when certain words are mentioned ("outage" or "system down" for example). Those mentions make Slack tap me on the wrist so I can glance at my wrist to see if it's something I need to respond to or deal with right away. It has been seriously helpful.
Sean
They are now scaring us by saying sitting all the time is as bad as smoking. I'm not buying that but I understand.
Good luck with the new job! I do not like sitting in coach for 16 hours. I'm too hyper.