Does Anyone Have a Genuine Use for the Watch?

[thomstarboy]

I've always thought that one genuinely strong use case is for people who carry their phone in their bags.

Particularly for people who are wearing clothing without pockets (skirts, dresses, pocketless pants) or smaller people whose pockets are just too small for phones that are increasingly growing in size, putting your phone in your bag or purse is only natural, but that can also muffle the ringer and make the phone's vibration virtually undetectable.

There's also those of us who are still concerned with cell phone radiation (I'm not one) and may think carrying a phone in a bag is at least healthier than our pocket, right next to our reproductive organs.

In either case, having a smart watch would help to make sure you don't miss any calls or important notifications because you couldn't hear the ringer or feel the vibration from the phone in your bag.

Still doesn't necessarily justify the pricing, but that's a case where a smart watch is actually useful.

 

[Avatar74]

Because they like it and want it.

The same as any $350+ watch.


If you are asking people to justify "genuine" uses for things, then any watch other than a $10 Casio becomes unjustifiable.

Watches are even more "fashion" items than phones. The most I have ever paid for a watch is $150 - that doesn't mean more expensive watches aren't justifiable, though.

To add to that, Apple isn't really in the business of needs so much as they are in the business of wants. Why bother justifying any desire? There are lots of things we managed to exist without as a species if it comes down to basic survival... you can even include toilet paper in that list.

I'm not so much rationalizing the expenditure as I am pointing out the sheer absurdity of trying to debate the necessity rather than the desirability of any nonessential item.

But if you want one I'll give you a real one that, absurd as it may sound, is entirely factual:

It costs a tiny fraction of what my current watch goes for, is more accurate and has a lot more functionality

Now, that said, I'm probably not going to buy it anyway... I have more money, more financial sense and less desire than I did when I bought this one.

 

[SingingSabre]

If you're almost always using a Bluetooth headset the direction navigation info is already being spoken directly into your ear, which is greatly superior to haptic communication.

I like to keep my ears free. The headset sits on my neck unless a call comes in.

 

[troy14]

I live and die by my Pebble and I tell the same story to everyone who asks me about it. If you are looking for a reason to buy a smart watch, don't.

I am a nurse and the Apple watch looks so appealing except for the fact that it isn't completely waterproof. As a nurse, it is awesome to have a watch waterproof and be able to change the face to suit my needs. When I walk into work I change it to 24 hour time display, as well as the day/date. With one button I can change the watch face to a face with a second hand to do various assessments/tasks.

During my shift, I can read any texts, phone calls, or emails right on my wrist whether i'm in a patient room or at the nurse's station. Is it a friend just letting me know something, or my mother calling at 4am. It's great to be able to see all of this without pulling my phone out of my pocket.

When I leave work, change it back to a standard face, display the weather, whatever I desire. I leave it on for days at a time, in the shower, etc.

I think the Apple watch will just expand on this functionality for me.

 

[Cashmonee]

I live and die by my Pebble and I tell the same story to everyone who asks me about it. If you are looking for a reason to buy a smart watch, don't.

I am a nurse and the Apple watch looks so appealing except for the fact that it isn't completely waterproof. As a nurse, it is awesome to have a watch waterproof and be able to change the face to suit my needs. When I walk into work I change it to 24 hour time display, as well as the day/date. With one button I can change the watch face to a face with a second hand to do various assessments/tasks.

During my shift, I can read any texts, phone calls, or emails right on my wrist whether i'm in a patient room or at the nurse's station. Is it a friend just letting me know something, or my mother calling at 4am. It's great to be able to see all of this without pulling my phone out of my pocket.

When I leave work, change it back to a standard face, display the weather, whatever I desire. I leave it on for days at a time, in the shower, etc.

I think the Apple watch will just expand on this functionality for me.

This is the first genuine use I have seen. I think specialized tasks/jobs is where these things could shine.

 

[SingingSabre]

This is the first genuine use I have seen. I think specialized tasks/jobs is where these things could shine.

Nice to know the arbiter of usage has spoken.

 

[Dan70]

I need to let people know I'm still alive with my heart beat.

 

[campingsk8er]

At a glance notifications on my wrist seems kinda cool, but I don't typically wear a watch. The more I think about it, the more I wonder if I can actually justify buying one.

I'm sure someone has already said this, but I'll say it anyway haha. I own a Pebble Smartwatch, the first watch I've ever owned actually and I'll say I absolutely love it. I thought it was kind of a gimmicky thing when I got it for Christmas... thought I'd only use it for a month but honestly, the only time I take it off is once or twice a week when I charge it. Its really a nice thing to get all notifications on your wrist. Yes you could just pull your phone out of your pocket, but its really convenient to not have to. Not to mention, I have been in countless situations where pulling out my phone would have been unacceptable, but quickly glancing at my watch was okay.

 

[briankeith513]

I have a major problem with self-esteem/confidence, and having the Apple Watch on my harm will really help.

 

[Julien]

I have a major problem with self-esteem/confidence...But I am still the One.

So it appears.

 

[briankeith513]

So it appears.

Hahaha

 

[Stayfly2407]

I think I'll have a genuine use for it. I'm 34yrs old, and have a serious heart condition caused by arrhythmia. I have irregular heart beats daily and have gone into cardiac arrest before because of it, 9yrs ago I had to have a Defibrillator put in. Long story short if the pulse feature works the way I think it does, whenever I feel irregular heart beats I could send that same feeling say, to my wife or doctor/parents. So if something happens and I can't call right away for whatever reason they would at least know what I was feeling, this could be life saving for people out there like me. And for that, I'll be getting one.

 

[TouchMint.com]

To develop for! I have some really great ideas that I think will transfer perfectly on the watch.

 

[Cashmonee]

I think I'll have a genuine use for it. I'm 34yrs old, and have a serious heart condition caused by arrhythmia. I have irregular heart beats daily and have gone into cardiac arrest before because of it, 9yrs ago I had to have a Defibrillator put in. Long story short if the pulse feature works the way I think it does, whenever I feel irregular heart beats I could send that same feeling say, to my wife or doctor/parents. So if something happens and I can't call right away for whatever reason they would at least know what I was feeling, this could be life saving for people out there like me. And for that, I'll be getting one.

If you truly have a serious heart condition, please do not rely on an optical heart rate monitor on your wrist. You are taking a serious risk. They aren't accurate enough even for exercise, much less health.

 

[Stayfly2407]

If you truly have a serious heart condition, please do not rely on an optical heart rate monitor on your wrist. You are taking a serious risk. They aren't accurate enough even for exercise, much less health.

I do have a real condition, no I'm not relying on it. That's what I have a defibrillator for. Saved my life at least a dozen times already over 10 years. Besides the watch giving me my notifications, taking calls ect with my iP6, the ability to send real pulses are just an extra plus to me.

 

[TahoeBlue]

The number one reason why I want this is because I can send reliable physical activity data to my trainer via HealthKit without having him next to me during sessions, freeing him up to work with others who need more attention. I envision an app on his iPhone/iPad that collects data from five other patients/clients simultaneously, and he can easily identify then walk over to the one that is having trouble.

Try doing presses holding an iPhone. It's incredibly inconvenient. If the device is on my wrist, then it is truly handsfree and its usability at least doubles.

 

[edhchoe]

I use alarms throughout the day. But if I set the alarms on the phone, I would have to stop the alarm because the annoying beeping would go on for a while. And I would have to reach in my pocket for the iPhone. That is why I wear my digital watch so I can conveniently stop the beeping or let it run for 10 seconds.
If I can limit the alarm duration to 10 seconds by wearing an Apple Watch, I think it would worth buying one since it will be sync'd with my iPhone for all my appointment alerts and reminders. But $349 is a hefty price to pay for a watch that I might have to charge everyday or several times a week. That would be extremely annoying because my current solar watch has been running for the last 5 years without me worrying about the battery level.

 

[Eso]

I do have a real condition, no I'm not relying on it. That's what I have a defibrillator for. Saved my life at least a dozen times already over 10 years. Besides the watch giving me my notifications, taking calls ect with my iP6, the ability to send real pulses are just an extra plus to me.

I'm guessing that it just calculates a BPM figure and sends that, not your heart beat on real time. I doubt it supports sending irregular heart beats.

 

[Apple fanboy]

69 responses and nobody's gone with

telling the time?

Wow if Jonny knew he could drop that feature in a heartbeat (and then send it to someone?!?)

 

[Peace]

69 responses and nobody's gone with

telling the time?

Wow if Jonny knew he could drop that feature in a heartbeat (and then send it to someone?!?)

I have a genuine use for the Apple Watch.

Haven't worn a timepiece for 40 years. Been thinking about getting a watch and what better of a watch to get than one that is in my eco-system.

 

[Cashmonee]

I do have a real condition, no I'm not relying on it. That's what I have a defibrillator for. Saved my life at least a dozen times already over 10 years. Besides the watch giving me my notifications, taking calls ect with my iP6, the ability to send real pulses are just an extra plus to me.

I didn't mean to imply you didn't have a heart condition. My only thought was that the type of HRM employed in the watch is barely suitable for casual exercise. It definitely shouldn't be used as a health aid for a chronic condition.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

It's exquisitely designed and expertly crafted. The attention to every detail is similar to or better than high-end Swiss timepieces. I'm buying it because of how high quality and luxurious it is. It's like art. If you want something to hang on a wall and look nice, you can do that for far cheaper than say a Picasso. It's about appreciating quality and design. If you JUST want to tell time, a cheapo dollar store watch can do that for you.

Why else do people buy expensive cars for example? Cars function as a method to get from point A to point B. Every single car regardless of price will do that. But some people like Mclaren's or Lamborghini's or Ferrari's or Mini Cooper's or whatever. Because they want more than just function. Is it rational? No. Is it just about function? No. Is it consumerism and whatnot? Sure.

 

[HereBeMonsters]

I'll mainly use it to control my music. Sure, I can skip tracks and stuff by pressing the button on the headphones, but this will show me what I'm doing. Plus hopefully I'll be able to select a different playlist etc.

 

[Mildredop]

the coolness factor

I'm not sure how old you are, but I can't believe anyone over 15 will find the Apple watch cool. Personally I think the watch will be seen as a very geeky thing to own and a massive waste of money.

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The more I think about it, the more I wonder if I can actually justify buying one.

This is where I think Apple have messed-up. By announcing and showing off the watch six months prior to release, they're giving people a massive cooling-off period and not cashing-in on people's impulse.

They're also giving Samsung, Motorola, LG etc. several months to redesign their future watches to better compete.

 

[TallManNY]

I don't know if this will be in Mark 1 of the watch, but I'd like it to include a RFID that could be used to unlock my car door and start it. I also think that Apple Pay is going to take off and having the ability to do that from the always out watch will be nice.

But no, I can't see buying the watch come March 2015. I don't think this generation will be good enough for me to justify or want to replace my attractive mechanical wrist watch. (Which is an automatic, so it doesn't even need a replacement battery every few years, much less to get charged every night.)