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If not fitness and health is their a point to owning an Apple Watch?

roxics

roxics

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 4, 2013
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I'm not into the fitness or health tracking stuff. I understand many people are. I throw a watch on when I leave the house every so often as a fashion accessory. I never owned an Apple Watch and remember when they first came out and can't believe there are already ten versions of them plus SE and Ultra models. Feels like they only came out a few years ago. I kind of thought that might be a dud product category for Apple when they first released them. Tim's little Dick Tracy project that would turn out like the Apple HiFi or something. Guess I was wrong. Although I have to admit the gadget geek in me has always had a mild interest in them, even though I always felt like there wasn't really a point for me to own one. Which is why I never bought one.

I guess what I'm asking is, does anyone own/use an Apple watch where their use case isn't fitness/health tracking? If so, what do you actually use your watch for? Is there any point in owning one if not for that?
 
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I guess mine is a fashion statement. I have a lot of different bands and cases and I change them to match my clothing sometimes.

I also like the fact that I can wear my watch and leave my phone behind whenever I just don't feel like taking my phone with me.

I also like the fact that I can wear it around the house and get calls, texts, other notifications without having to carry my phone on my person, worry about unlocking it when I might be busy cooking, etc.

And then there are several apps that come in handy, like Shazam, the calculator, weather...

I will admit that I find it less useful than some other smart watches I've owned, like the Gear 2 which had a camera and could actually play loaded music on the device's speaker.

(I keep waiting for the Apple Watch to get a camera but that will probably never happen.)

I said all that to say that it's worth it for my use cases to have a watch that I don't use first and foremost for fitness/health.
 
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That's the kind of answer I'm looking for. Thank you :)
 
I originally got mine because my SO (at the time) wanted one, and I was playing The Good Partner. I had to know the answers to all her inevitable questions.

Fast-forward to today, and I still use my AW6.

Mostly, it's a time-piece; but I do really enjoy the fitness stimulation.

Being able to cancel a spam call from my wrist has its benefits, also ;)

It was so beautiful when I got it . . . I used to work as a stone mason, and consequently bashed/scratched the be-Jebus out of it . . . yet, it still does everything it always has.

Once it dies, I'll probably not get another. Probably.
 
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I guess I do use mine for “fitness”, but only insofar as I’m a runner.

I got the S4 to replace my Garmin (because, at the time, Garmin were dragging their feet on the Vivoactive with MP3 version and the price was silly). A year ago, I upgraded to the U2 - primarily for battery life, and because I wanted to leave my phone behind now and then (especially when running). I wasn’t initially sold on the idea that the U2 would be more durable, so the cost had me thinking twice but, having been wearing it at work where it’s suffered a number of hits and scrapes only to see it shrugs it all off as though it’s still “box new”, I wouldn’t buy any other watch now.

I don’t use the other “health and fitness” stuff, except through idle curiosity because they’re there.
 
roxics said:
I'm not into the fitness or health tracking stuff. I understand many people are. I throw a watch on when I leave the house every so often as a fashion accessory. I never owned an Apple Watch and remember when they first came out and can't believe there are already ten versions of them plus SE and Ultra models. Feels like they only came out a few years ago. I kind of thought that might be a dud product category for Apple when they first released them. Tim's little Dick Tracy project that would turn out like the Apple HiFi or something. Guess I was wrong. Although I have to admit the gadget geek in me has always had a mild interest in them, even though I always felt like there wasn't really a point for me to own one. Which is why I never bought one.

I guess what I'm asking is, does anyone own/use an Apple watch where their use case isn't fitness/health tracking? If so, what do you actually use your watch for? Is there any point in owning one if not for that?
Click to expand...
I use AW exclusively for their sleep tracking and health. On daytime I wear Garmin instinct. More rigid and battery is 20 days.
 
In addition to the notes in posts above:

Electronic boarding passing when flying + flight updates from the Flighty app
Apple Pay at various vendors
Easy reminder of my schedule each day
Just Press Record for memos at all hours of the day and night
Easy to glance at notifications on watch rather than phone during a conference, meetings, etc.
Simple glance of the weather
Play music when walking my dog, walking around airport terminal
Compass
Pop-up news
Etc.
 
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Add:
Turn lights on/off
Open/close garage and barn doors
Remote start my Subaru
Notification when someone drives up the driveway
Notification when a package is delivered
Tip calculator
Outdoor temperature
GPS navigation backpacking/hiking
 
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Health tracking was never my primary consideration when I had an Apple Watch. Rather, I like being able send/receive calls and texts if I go out for a hike or swim and don't have my phone on me. I always get the cellular version for this reason and also bought a cellular Apple Watch for my daughter for emergencies because school doesn't allow phones.

Other uses are style with different Watch faces or wristbands. If you drive a Tesla you can also unlock the car with the watch if you don't have your phone or keycard, turn on AC/heater in advance, or use voice commands on the Apple Watch to open the trunk. I also used the watch to close my garage, control door locks, and pay for items when I've forgotten my wallet. If you have Airpods then you can listen to music (or calls) while on the go without your iPhone. To me, I loved the freedom the cellular Apple Watch provided because I could leave the phone at home for certain activities.
 
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I use my Apple Watch for a ton of stuff. I actually only started using it for fitness in the last couple years.

In addition to fitness I use it for:
  • Telling time (doh)
  • Alarms and timers
  • Notifications (calendar events, phone calls, messages, weather, home alarm system, etc.)
  • Controlling the home lighting automation
  • Apple Pay at PoS terminals (stores, gas station pumps)
  • Remote iPhone camera control
  • When using my iPhone for navigation in rented/borrowed vehicles
  • To answer phone calls occasionally
  • The flashlight function at night, sometimes
And a variety of less frequent uses I can't think of right off hand.
 
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I agree with what others have said but here are a couple of specific instances where my AW7 has been useful.

I am 79 and forget what day of the week it is or where I have put things. The AW Alarms nudge me when to leave home on certain days of the week, at specific times to get to my exercise classes which start at different times e.g 10 a.m. on Tues but 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. It also helps me find my wallet and phone as I am about to leave the house.

On two occasions I have been close to but separated from my phone but have been able to make calls. Once to my wife when I was in Emergency and another time to the auto club when I locked my keys and phone in the car.

I have it setup to switch faces when I get to and leave the gym. When I arrive it switches to a face that shows complications I will need e.g. Stocard so I do not have to hunt around for my membership card. When I leave, it switches back to my everyday watch face..Snoopy. Also the workout app nudges me when my heart rate gets above 141.

Treadmills and stationary bikes are boring and I do not want my phone strapped to my arm or in a pocket. So I download a bunch of songs onto my watch and listen to them via my AirPods.

Multiple timers going when I am cooking e.g 10 mins to flip the fish 15 mins to swap the trays in the air fryer.

I’m sure there are other uses that have become such a normal part of my day that I have forgotten them and none of them are absolutely essential but they just make life easier. The AW is what my son calls a quality of life purchase.
 
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That reminds me another side benefit of pairing an Apple Watch to your iPhone. My wife constantly misplaces her phone around the house and can't find it. The Apple Watch can ping your iPhone and direct you to where it is, and vice-a-versa. Saves me the trouble of trying to call her iPhone when she can't find it, and also sometimes the iPhone is on silent so calling does no good but the Apple Watch will find it.
 
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Apple Watch has cut down lot of my direct iphone usage. Biggest use outside of fitness for me is multi factor authentication apps. Some of my clients use Ping, with AW it’s just yes or no. iPhone I have to use Face ID, then click on yes or no. Same for approving my kids Apps or purchases or screen time. I also use Apple Pay from AW, no need to take my phone out. Last but not the least I have kept my phones in silent mode for past 15 years. I don’t miss any important calls or notifications. I can control pod casts from AW, volume and so on with out interacting with my iPhone in pocket.
 
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NeonNights said:
That reminds me another side benefit of pairing an Apple Watch to your iPhone. My wife constantly misplaces her phone around the house and can't find it. The Apple Watch can ping your iPhone and direct you to where it is, and vice-a-versa. Saves me the trouble of trying to call her iPhone when she can't find it, and also sometimes the iPhone is on silent so calling does no good but the Apple Watch will find it.
Click to expand...
This is so me. My phone is always on silent mode.
 
The biggest non-health things for me are:
• See the weather (I live in the Midwest)
• Set timers
• Flashlight
• Apple Pay
• Not having to use my phone's ringer (I just use vibrate)
• Ping my phone when it's lost.
• See texts without needing to get my phone.
 
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roxics said:
I'm not into the fitness or health tracking stuff. I understand many people are. I throw a watch on when I leave the house every so often as a fashion accessory. I never owned an Apple Watch and remember when they first came out and can't believe there are already ten versions of them plus SE and Ultra models. Feels like they only came out a few years ago. I kind of thought that might be a dud product category for Apple when they first released them. Tim's little Dick Tracy project that would turn out like the Apple HiFi or something. Guess I was wrong. Although I have to admit the gadget geek in me has always had a mild interest in them, even though I always felt like there wasn't really a point for me to own one. Which is why I never bought one.

I guess what I'm asking is, does anyone own/use an Apple watch where their use case isn't fitness/health tracking? If so, what do you actually use your watch for? Is there any point in owning one if not for that?
Click to expand...
These things are very useful to me and are things I do every day or several times per week:
  • Control playback of media on your iPhone. This is very useful if you have a Bluetooth stereo that can play your iPhone's audio, or a similar device that streams media from your iPhone. Watch then becomes an always-on-your-wrist-remote.
  • Answer calls and messages when your hands are doing something else. Works well with and without AirPods. *Dictation works most of the time. But will sometimes be completely obtuse about certain words. But works well enough for 8/10 messages.
  • Use the silent (haptic) alarm clock to wake me in the morning: Waking up if you're tired doesn't get easier. But it's definitely a huge win for someone who feels stressed and annoyed by loud sounds or lights but still needs a great alarm clock. I've tried many alarm clock apps and gadgets. But Watch is my favorite.
  • Set timers throughout the day: I do this when cooking, brewing tea, working on projects, etc. Not better than the cheap plastic one in your kitchen. But it's a lot more convenient on your wrist, allows you to set silent (haptic) timers, and let's you do multiple timers... I set so, so many timers. All day, every day!
  • Voice recorder: Much more useful on your wrist and syncs with iCloud for access on all your Apple devices. Super convenient if you're frequently needing to write down notes and ideas.
  • Flashlight on your wrist. "Hey, Siri -Flashlight", when your hands are full.
  • The "Ping iPhone" feature where you can get your iPhone to play a loud alert if you can't find it.
  • Apple Pay. Which also works if your iPhone is out of juice or out of range (yes, even without an active cellular plan on your watch, and also without wifi).
  • Checking the weather.
  • Checking arrivals and departures for public transportation nearby in Maps (I'm in Europe).
  • Getting walking and biking directions using Maps. A lot safer than holding and looking down at my iPhone, especially when in busy areas.
  • The handwashing detection feature. I use contact lenses and it helps remind me to be extra thorough.
  • Tracking my daily intake of supplements through the Medications app.
  • Tracking my daily water intake using "Waterminder".
  • Checking for new mail: Watch display is good enough for this but too small to read and reply. That's fine for most messages. And when it's not you just jump over to your Mac or iPhone.
  • Calendar
  • Reminders
  • Raising my wrist up to my face to interact with Siri without having to say "Hey, Siri". For me, this made Siri a lot more reliable and useful.
  • Quickly reading or replying to a message when my hands are on the wheel, or when I'm riding my bicycle.
Taking fitness tracking out of the equation, I think Watch is great for someone who's fine with how intrinsically tethered it is to iPhone, but someone who also would like a way interact with their iPhone in a more simplified way and doesn't require you to hold and type/swipe on a smartphone or display. Watch is especially convenient and efficient if you can get used to using Siri on it and the Double-Tap gestures.

In short, I feel like Watch is the "dumb phone" that gives you more than the most essential phone/computer features. But also cuts out the most advanced (and often distracting) ones you get when using a smartphone/iPhone.

If you're the kind of person who likes to or has to be on your computer or phone throughout the day, then I think you'd find Watch completely useless or cumbersome by comparison to your "hands/fingers on" devices, like iPhone, iPad, Mac.
 
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roxics said:
I'm not into the fitness or health tracking stuff. I understand many people are. I throw a watch on when I leave the house every so often as a fashion accessory. I never owned an Apple Watch and remember when they first came out and can't believe there are already ten versions of them plus SE and Ultra models. Feels like they only came out a few years ago. I kind of thought that might be a dud product category for Apple when they first released them. Tim's little Dick Tracy project that would turn out like the Apple HiFi or something. Guess I was wrong. Although I have to admit the gadget geek in me has always had a mild interest in them, even though I always felt like there wasn't really a point for me to own one. Which is why I never bought one.

I guess what I'm asking is, does anyone own/use an Apple watch where their use case isn't fitness/health tracking? If so, what do you actually use your watch for? Is there any point in owning one if not for that?
Click to expand...
Sleep tracking. AND it’s pretty good at telling time. As good as my $13 Timex
 
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My AWU2 is only for telling the time, iMessage, and MFA notifications.
Besides that, if I am not wearing my AWU2, I am wearing one of my mechanical watches...
 
It just dawned on me right now that you can add a title to a timer on Watch if you tell Siri (on your Watch) something like "set a coffee timer for 5 minutes".

That makes Timers on Watch even more useful than any kitchen timer. Very useful to me.
 
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Walking directions. Nothing says "mug me" like pulling out a phone every 25 feet while wandering around a strange city. I also use it to control Music, especially on airplanes. Notifications are also really useful, more than I expected.
 
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I’ve not used my AW for a week while I’m giving my various mechanical watches some use.
What I’ve missed most, is:
Apple Pay.
See who’s phoning without having to go to my phone.
Reading messages.
Managing my daughter’s screen time on her iPad.
 
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