You do realize you can turn off those reminders if they aren't your thing, right?
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Benefits of Apple Watch?
- Thread starter Aj6658
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You do realize you can turn off those reminders if they aren't your thing, right?
People are taking the statement of wealth point personally. Let me clarify. A fitbit does the majority of what an apple watch does ( or the benefits im interested) but for 1/4 of the price. In some aspects even better e.g. Sleep tracking. Hence why i made the comment of statement of wealth. Why do people spend several magnitudes more for a Rolex than a simple cheap watch? They both do the same thing and my comments on Apple watch are in the same vein.
The reason i posed this thread to understand what people have enjoyed about their Apple watches and why i should get one and there have been some great points like below
These are all great features but to most of them i really don't care about. I'll wait to see what the series 6 has but seems to me i would gain as much value from a fitbit as i would apple watch. Again the whole point of this thread - give me your insights
Now i guess im gonna get attacked for this zzzzzzzz, Look forward to reading them
The reason i posed this thread to understand what people have enjoyed about their Apple watches and why i should get one and there have been some great points like below
- Not having to take my phone out when running
- con tactless payments
- Fall detection
- notifications
- alarm
- encouragement of daily workouts
- navigation
These are all great features but to most of them i really don't care about. I'll wait to see what the series 6 has but seems to me i would gain as much value from a fitbit as i would apple watch. Again the whole point of this thread - give me your insights
Now i guess im gonna get attacked for this zzzzzzzz, Look forward to reading them
People weren’t taking it personally, just pointing out that the Apple Watch isn’t a statement of wealth due to how cheap it is and obtainable to so many. A Rolex is a mid range luxury watch that many can’t afford. It’s not really comparable.
I do realize that, yes. However, the problem is that I prefer not having to disable everything all the time because it will just keep coming, and with every update there will be some new esoteric new-world nonsense creeping its way into our lives that I couldn't care less about (looking at you, mindful breathing reminder!). I guess it's a matter of principle but a gadget that drives me crazy from day one is probably not the right toy for me
Aging parents... Apple Watch can detect falls and contact 911 if they are unresponsive.
Me... telling the time, notifying me of calendar events, vibrates when I need to exit, running, biking, swimming, weight lifting, kayaking, James Bond style answering the phone while the phone is in my backpack, text message notifications...
I do realize that, yes. However, the problem is that I prefer not having to disable everything all the time because it will just keep coming, and with every update there will be some new esoteric new-world nonsense creeping its way into our lives that I couldn't care less about (looking at you, mindful breathing reminder!). I guess it's a matter of principle but a gadget that drives me crazy from day one is probably not the right toy for me
I still think you are exaggerating the problem -- you just have to disable new features once, and new features don't get added all that often. Most usually get added with the once-a-year major software upgrade, though a few features have arrived with a point update. But I get that the watch isn't a personality fit for everyone. So to each their own!
I guess it all depends on how deep you're invested into Apple ecosystem. If you're a casual user who loves mix and matching your own gadgets. Maybe you use iPhone, but also own Galaxy Tab, and buy a Lenovo laptop, along with some random wireless earphones? Then I guess there's no point of spending more $$ for an Apple Watch as many cheap fitness trackers could do most of Apple Watch does.
But if you use everything Apple, if you use iPhone along with Mac, iPad. Maybe you use CarPlay in the car, or many HomeKit accessories for your smart home. Then maybe you have Apple TV, subscribed to Apple Music, then why would you hold back? Just get the Apple Watch and complete the whole circle. Anything less and you're ruining your own system.
But if you use everything Apple, if you use iPhone along with Mac, iPad. Maybe you use CarPlay in the car, or many HomeKit accessories for your smart home. Then maybe you have Apple TV, subscribed to Apple Music, then why would you hold back? Just get the Apple Watch and complete the whole circle. Anything less and you're ruining your own system.
Maybe I do, I'm not going to argue with you on this one because it's a possibility with a non-zero likeliness. It was just too much and too overwhelming, and I felt annoyed by what seemed like constant distractions that I had absolutely zero interest in and that I had to keep disabling. In retrospect it was probably not as bad as I make it out to be, but at the time it turned into a major annoyance very fast.
This makes no sense whatsoever. It's like saying you should probably subscribe to Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple TV+ even if you don't care for them at all and never intend to use them because, well, otherwise you'd be ruining your system. And while we're at it, maybe you should get a Pro Display XDR as well. You know, just so you can complete the whole circle
This makes no sense whatsoever. It's like saying you should probably subscribe to Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple TV+ even if you don't care for them at all and never intend to use them because, well, otherwise you'd be ruining your system. And while we're at it, maybe you should get a Pro Display XDR as well. You know, just so you can complete the whole circle
Hey mate, it's your money. I don't care what you're going to spend it for. You think a $30 fitness tracker does the job better than a $429 Series 5? Well good for you. Too bad, it's not for me, because I love when my Watch as fitness companion integrates nicely with the iPhone, and save all my workouts data in the iCloud.
I need the watch to be able to reply all incoming messages without touching my phone, I also don't want to install 3rd party app just to get the watch working/pairing. So really do you have a better alternative than Apple Watch that qualifies for my specific needs?
And if I love to complete my whole circle, it's also my business.
That's a totally valid perspective; if you don't care about those things at all then there's little value.
I did think of a couple more:
- macOS unlock by just opening the MacBook if I have my watch on (and it has been unlocked, which I do when I put it on, and it stays unlocked while it has a pulse signal) and in range. I have touchid on the MacBook but I barely ever even need THAT because the watch unlocks for me.
- 2 factor notifications from 365, etc. no need to pull phone out, just hit "approve" on my watch
- using it for "hey Siri where's my iPhone?" - can send a ping to it and/or set off a noise on it so I can find it
- getting weather (e.g., temperature, today's rain chance) is as simple as a glance at my watch face
I do definitely feel the watch is one of those things that if you're on the fence about it - there are enough "little things" that you may end up liking it or seeing the value - after having one for a while and seeing all the neat little things it can do to help throughout your day. But if you haven't used it, it's easy to write off as "but I can do that by XXX" or "so what".
I was surprised how much I use it to be honest, having been on the fence when I bought my first one. AS above, none of the uses are "critical" they're all just small quality of life improvements (that add up to something more substantial).
I have to say I didn’t need much convincing to try an Apple Watch. A lot of my friends had them and seeing the way it syncs across from the phone for calls and texts along with the fitness detail impressed me enough. I think the OP would be better off with a Fitbit judging by the posts they’ve made, both based on price and the very few features they seem interested in. Why spend £399+ when you can spend £100? Go with your gut feeling if you’re not convinced at this point.
I don’t own an Apple Watch (yet). I currently have a Garmin Fenix 5x and for the most part has served me well. Especially as a runner. Has notification but it’s not as polished. The screen resolution is meh. Sometimes it’s hard to see. While it has Garmin Pay, I prefer to use Apple Pay. It has a variety of Apps and watch faces to choose from. It’s a beefy watch and I do get a lot of compliments on it. To upgrade to the Garmin Fenix 6x Pro, the way I would configure; its going to be about $899. More than an Apple Watch that I would get. Unfortunately, even the new 6x STILL has wired charging. Not a fan. The ability to just plop my phone on a flat, wireless charger is so nice. Same with my AirPods Pro. Would love to do the same with my watch.
I have been eyeing Apple Watches from near the beginning and I think with S6, I will finally pull the trigger. I won’t rehash some of the great reasons that many have offered but will offer one that is very appealing to me that I haven’t seen yet on this thread.
I recently got a Tesla M3 and with the Apple Watch, I will be able to control many aspects of the vehicle with ”Hey Siri” with the use of the companion Stats App. Just a few commands without taking my iPhone out of my pocket:
Open/close trunk and frunk
Lock/Unlock doors
Set cabin temp/seat heaters
unlock/open charge port
set charging limit
activate/deactivate Sentry Mode
Get inside/outside temp
For me, that feature alone along with the many already offered will be worth it to me. 🤘
I have been eyeing Apple Watches from near the beginning and I think with S6, I will finally pull the trigger. I won’t rehash some of the great reasons that many have offered but will offer one that is very appealing to me that I haven’t seen yet on this thread.
I recently got a Tesla M3 and with the Apple Watch, I will be able to control many aspects of the vehicle with ”Hey Siri” with the use of the companion Stats App. Just a few commands without taking my iPhone out of my pocket:
Open/close trunk and frunk
Lock/Unlock doors
Set cabin temp/seat heaters
unlock/open charge port
set charging limit
activate/deactivate Sentry Mode
Get inside/outside temp
For me, that feature alone along with the many already offered will be worth it to me. 🤘
Wow those Tesla Siri commands are pretty compelling uses for the AW. Too bad my car is dumb! Can it open/close windows too? (to let the heat out)
The Tesla App does offer a Vent Windows feature that open all 4 about an inch or two and can close them. I don’t believe the Stats App offers that feature yet. The Stats app creates Siri Shortcuts that allow some of the commands I mentioned. I imagine it’s when the developer decides to get around to adding that feature.
I do believe as we get into more and more smart vehicles, whether they be ICE or electric; there will be more that iPhones And Apple watches will be able to do with them. I think this is just the beginning. 👍
Yep all of that plus
1 Apple Watch cellular.....so it's a phone.
2 I use it as a remote to control VLC on my iMac
3 Getting the weather forecast
I have all the flash dumb watches eg IWC, Omega....they just stay away locked up. I'm 80 years old; age is no barrier to having the best electronic gear
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Actually, I'm wondering how well the fall monitoring works in the case of a motorcycle accident. I haven't looked into it, but I do ride a motorcycle and it would be neat if it could call someone or alert someone if I've been in an accident.
80! I almost clicked the Report button... clicked it to report that you are too cool for this forum.I have all the flash dumb watches eg IWC, Omega....they just stay away locked up. I'm 80 years old; age is no barrier to having the best electronic gear
So maybe not the most useful reply, however, I never ever dreamt of buying an Apple Watch - then during COVID I was made redundant, two weeks ago got a new job, and I felt like treating myself - the only thing I could think of was to buy an Apple Watch, which I didn't even like the look of (yes, I am that desperate to spend a few pennies to feel like I've celebrated).
So, the watch is something I never wanted - as I said..., however, within a week, I could not live without it. That's all I will say.
So, the watch is something I never wanted - as I said..., however, within a week, I could not live without it. That's all I will say.
I recently bought my first AW - a Series 3 - new for £199, whilst fully aware that a Series 6 will likely be here in the autumn. Despite having one of most every other Apple product I'd never had any interest in AW until I decided I needed to shift some lockdown weight and track both being more active + what I was eating;
Now installed with the below list, which seems to work together very nicely - all one-time purchases except Zwift which is £12.99 monthly;
I've already shifted my first 2KG of 12KG weight loss target without having to try too hard yet, so I'm counting AW (and Apple Health) as a key part of this for seamlessly logging activity toward my BMI management goal.
My Use Case is only for health / fitness, and I don't have much interest yet beyond that (Messages / Music / Siri / HomeKit etc) so I whilst I will likely now preorder an S6 (subject to specs) there's no point spending past base model for me.
- first Fitbit destroyed by water, second one delaminated & fell apart, smart scales stopped working within months = end of relationship with them ...
- Withings Pulse HR was perfect (esp. long battery life) but gave me a red sore patch on wrist, some kind of nickel allergy
- no interest in Notifications or interacting with AW thought the day - the only audible Notifications I have enabled on my iPhone are for Messages, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Calendar alerts and just the counter for Mail - so smaller is better, likely that I'll keep it on my right wrist and continue to wear my original analogue watch on left.
- watchOS7 is still compatible back to the original AW, so S3 perhaps won't become immediately obsolete
- if I'd hated it (I don't) S3 was 'only' £199 & I'd get much of that back on eBay judging by current sold prices
- if I loved it (I do) then I can sell or gift S3 when S6 comes along if there's something I 'really need' - I'd always intended to hold-off until the battery was better than a day or two ...
- crucially AW doesn't irritate my skin at all, it's only glass & silicone where it touches my arm
Now installed with the below list, which seems to work together very nicely - all one-time purchases except Zwift which is £12.99 monthly;
- Apple Watch S3 38mm on OS7 beta
- Apple Health on iPhone 11 Pro on OS14 beta
- Withings Body+ scales
- Withings Sleep Analyzer mat - more detailed than AW sleep tracking & mains-powered
- Zwift + Strava + Wahoo Kickr cycle trainer
- WaterRower - analogue as 15-years old, but AW Workouts tracks it
- MyFitnessPal app for both manual food logging & auto 'activity' calorie offset
I've already shifted my first 2KG of 12KG weight loss target without having to try too hard yet, so I'm counting AW (and Apple Health) as a key part of this for seamlessly logging activity toward my BMI management goal.
My Use Case is only for health / fitness, and I don't have much interest yet beyond that (Messages / Music / Siri / HomeKit etc) so I whilst I will likely now preorder an S6 (subject to specs) there's no point spending past base model for me.
I honestly would recommend that you purchase the watch and test it out yourself. Get it from a place that allows returns, Apple stores have 14 days returns, not sure if there are places that allow for longer returns - perhaps Costco.
I was skeptical at first as well as I never wore any kind of a watch, so when I get an Apple Watch it was more of an annoyance than a benefit. I didnt like it, didn't care for it and return it. It wasnt until a year later or so that I started brainstorming how i could use Apple watch to my benefit and how it could help me. Now I am hooked up!
I was skeptical at first as well as I never wore any kind of a watch, so when I get an Apple Watch it was more of an annoyance than a benefit. I didnt like it, didn't care for it and return it. It wasnt until a year later or so that I started brainstorming how i could use Apple watch to my benefit and how it could help me. Now I am hooked up!
Could not agree more, with obesity being a national crisis something that prompts you to at least get off your ass 12 times a day is worth it. Out entire family has them and once you get into the habit of closing your rings every day = with subtle nudges from Apple - it becomes a great, healthy habit.
This isn’t correct:
I believe AWs get 4 years of software support, so it looks like (unless something happens next year) this will be the last software update for the series 3.
I didn’t see the point in having an AW at first, but then I received one at Christmas in 2017 & have grown to like it. At first I still thought it was pointless, but I like tracking my walks etc making sure I close my rings - especially now we’re in lockdown & working from home. I recently bought Ring Fit Adventure for Nintendo Switch to make exercising more entertaining & AW even has a fitness gaming workout you can choose to track it, which is cool. Having the notifications on your wrist can be nice as well I guess.
That can’t be right, Apple are still selling the Series 3. Surely they aren’t selling that knowing they are about to drop software support for it?!
What they said is that while Series 3 will get Watch OS 7, it's likely it won't get Watch OS 8.
So if you buy a Series 3 today, you'll get software updates for a year.
Well said. I think the watch is a huge motivator, (others claim that a smart watch ‘can’t motivate‘ you to do anything). Because if you have something that can help Set a reminder to do something and you actually commit to it, you will make the changes. Not everybody has a workout partner or has time for a gym, but if you can create your own workout regiment with aid of the watch, that’s saying something about Apples focus on making you a better version of yourself.