Only one totally disappointed with AW?

[iLoveDeveloping]

Hi,

Got my Apple Watch yesterday morning and after playing with it for just over 24 hours I am ridiculously disappointed with it. Seriously it doesn't even feel like an apple product it's sooooo slow, like an iPad1. I can't read any emails on it because it won't show them unless they are in nothing but plain text.. What the actual F***?!?!?!? They don't show you that cr*p in tv ads!! Most apps are really slow to open, most notifications I get are for apps that don't have an Apple Watch app so I have to open my iPhone anyway. Heart rate doesn't track when I'm moving - SERIOUSLY? What moron thought that was a good idea? And the two apps I actually use the most of all, Twitter, is so slow and only loads like 10 tweets at a time and I can't see mentions. And Instagram only shows you like the last 10 images... Wow just wow. God the list goes on and on, I PAYED Apple 470€ for this experience. Wow I'm actually kinda feeling sick I was tricked so bad, and I do mean that, tricked! I didn't get to use an Apple Watch as we have no apple stores here, I only got to see it in commercials and on their site and I feel very manipulated to think it was WAY better than it is.. I've opened it and use it one day can I get my money back from apple?? Any ideas?

I have a Fitbit HR and it kicks my Apple Watchs ass... Sadly

 

[kevinbeared]

Hi,

Got my Apple Watch yesterday morning and after playing with it for just over 24 hours I am ridiculously disappointed with it. Seriously it doesn't even feel like an apple product it's sooooo slow, like an iPad1. I can't read any emails on it because it won't show them unless they are in nothing but plain text.. What the actual F***?!?!?!? They don't show you that cr*p in tv ads!! Most apps are really slow to open, most notifications I get are for apps that don't have an Apple Watch app so I have to open my iPhone anyway. Heart rate doesn't track when I'm moving - SERIOUSLY? What moron thought that was a good idea? And the two apps I actually use the most of all, Twitter, is so slow and only loads like 10 tweets at a time and I can't see mentions. And Instagram only shows you like the last 10 images... Wow just wow. God the list goes on and on, I PAYED Apple 470€ for this experience. Wow I'm actually kinda feeling sick I was tricked so bad, and I do mean that, tricked! I didn't get to use an Apple Watch as we have no apple stores here, I only got to see it in commercials and on their site and I feel very manipulated to think it was WAY better than it is.. I've opened it and use it one day can I get my money back from apple?? Any ideas?

I have a Fitbit HR and it kicks my Apple Watchs ass... Sadly

You have 14 days to return it without any problem in any apple store... You'll be refund immediatly.

Try it a little longer and you'll see ! But it surprises me that you didn't look through all this before buyin ?

 

[Newtons Apple]

The Apple Watch is not for everyone. It turned out it was not for me either and went back to my Charge HR. Just return it and move on. To some the watch is very useful. It is great to have choices.

 

[telefono]

I'm sure your not the only one disappointed, just like I'm sure I'm not the only one extremely happy with my Apple Watch.

If you did your research and asked yourself what you want out of a wearable device you would not have been as you said (tricked) If emails, twitter and instagram are very important to you on a smartwatch then stay away from the Apple Watch and all the other smartwatches. I'm sure it might suit some people but for me I have emails switched off on my Apple Watch.

I also knew before the Apple Watch was available I would never use the activity app, I just got back from a Mountain Bike ride and loved every minute of it and my Garmin 1000 did a great job with all the info I wanted from it. The Apple Watch can't provide the info I need for Mountain Biking or Road Cycling.

My Apple Watch doesn't pretend to be an iPhone and my iPhone doesn't pretend to be an iPad and my iPad doesn't pretend to be an iMac. The Apple Watch also doesn't pretend to be a dedicated Fitness Device, it does the fitness thing well for people that want something basic. I use the above products daily and they serve me well.........

especially My Apple Watch

I hope you can get your money back from Apple, Good Luck

 

[iLoveDeveloping]

Thanks guys.. I decided to give it maybe 1-2 more days and see! Just to the people saying I should have done my research - there is or was no research to tell me Twitter doesn't work or Instagram sucks, and I can't see emails NO WHERE did I see this, trust me I read loads about AW that's why I'm so shocked that it really sucks compared to what I've read.. Oh well, maybe it will grow on me?! It does look so beautiful and I got lots of looks wearing it out today! As far as the fitness goes it's great! I was talking more about the Heart Rate on my Fitbit being incredible, compared to the AW its not even close - and it lasts 6 days. Oh well..

I'll give it a day or two more and decide then. Thanks

 

[gsmornot]

Hi,

Got my Apple Watch yesterday morning and after playing with it for just over 24 hours I am ridiculously disappointed with it. Seriously it doesn't even feel like an apple product it's sooooo slow, like an iPad1. I can't read any emails on it because it won't show them unless they are in nothing but plain text.. What the actual F***?!?!?!? They don't show you that cr*p in tv ads!! Most apps are really slow to open, most notifications I get are for apps that don't have an Apple Watch app so I have to open my iPhone anyway. Heart rate doesn't track when I'm moving - SERIOUSLY? What moron thought that was a good idea? And the two apps I actually use the most of all, Twitter, is so slow and only loads like 10 tweets at a time and I can't see mentions. And Instagram only shows you like the last 10 images... Wow just wow. God the list goes on and on, I PAYED Apple 470€ for this experience. Wow I'm actually kinda feeling sick I was tricked so bad, and I do mean that, tricked! I didn't get to use an Apple Watch as we have no apple stores here, I only got to see it in commercials and on their site and I feel very manipulated to think it was WAY better than it is.. I've opened it and use it one day can I get my money back from apple?? Any ideas?

I have a Fitbit HR and it kicks my Apple Watchs ass... Sadly

Your statement reads like you're trying to compare the watch to your phone. If so, you will not be happy with the watch. The power of the phone is many times greater than a wearable device. Keep in mind the main benefits here are notifications and quick interaction. You do not want to read a long email, you do not want to read a long list of tweets, you do want to know however if you should pull your phone out for the notification you just heard which the watch will do. I use mine for quick and basic and its fantastic with that mindset. Quickly, on my Modular watch face, I get time, day, date, weather conditions, next meeting times, access to a timer, and an activity level meter that tracks movement, calories and exercise. In addition I have glances that give me more detail on rain amounts, bank balance, and music controls so I don't have to remove my phone from my armband while out running just to select a song. Trying to make the watch a iPhone on your wrist or trying to make it a dedicated fitness tracker is never going to make you happy. Its a jack of all trades, master of none deal but for me this if great. My phone has limits compared to my iPad in some cases as well but I don't try to pretend my phone is an iPad nor my iPad a PC even though many want to try.

You have 14 days to try it. Give it a few days and see if there are some things you find you like. Not having to pull your phone out every time it dings is going to grow on you. It will not and should not replace your phone but it will compliment it in many ways. Also, you highlighted the money spent. If this, like anything else you might buy, is a stretch in your budget then its best to return it and put the money where it could do more. The watch will not return a profit in the future so should only be bought if you can afford to give up the expense easily.

Thanks guys.. I decided to give it maybe 1-2 more days and see! Just to the people saying I should have done my research - there is or was no research to tell me Twitter doesn't work or Instagram sucks, and I can't see emails NO WHERE did I see this, trust me I read loads about AW that's why I'm so shocked that it really sucks compared to what I've read.. Oh well, maybe it will grow on me?! It does look so beautiful and I got lots of looks wearing it out today! As far as the fitness goes it's great! I was talking more about the Heart Rate on my Fitbit being incredible, compared to the AW its not even close - and it lasts 6 days. Oh well..

I'll give it a day or two more and decide then. Thanks

You replied while I was typing but I think my reply is still valid. Happy you're going to give a few days more.

 

[jeans94621]

Coming from a Fitbit charge I was a little disappointed in the way the Apple Watch counted steps. I also was a little disappointed in how slow the apps downloaded sometimes. Also having to turn on and off the sleep apps to track my sleep. However after a month of using the watch it has become a part of my life. I cannot imagine not having it. Give it the fourteen days before returning it.

 

[iLoveDeveloping]

Your statement reads like you're trying to compare the watch to your phone. If so, you will not be happy with the watch. The power of the phone is many times greater than a wearable device. Keep in mind the main benefits here are notifications and quick interaction. You do not want to read a long email, you do not want to read a long list of tweets, you do want to know however if you should pull your phone out for the notification you just heard which the watch will do. I use mine for quick and basic and its fantastic with that mindset. Quickly, on my Modular watch face, I get time, day, date, weather conditions, next meeting times, access to a timer, and an activity level meter that tracks movement, calories and exercise. In addition I have glances that give me more detail on rain amounts, bank balance, and music controls so I don't have to remove my phone from my armband while out running just to select a song. Trying to make the watch a iPhone on your wrist or trying to make it a dedicated fitness tracker is never going to make you happy. Its a jack of all trades, master of none deal but for me this if great. My phone has limits compared to my iPad in some cases as well but I don't try to pretend my phone is an iPad nor my iPad a PC even though many want to try.

You have 14 days to try it. Give it a few days and see if there are some things you find you like. Not having to pull your phone out every time it dings is going to grow on you. It will not and should not replace your phone but it will compliment it in many ways. Also, you highlighted the money spent. If this, like anything else you might buy, is a stretch in your budget then its best to return it and put the money where it could do more. The watch will not return a profit in the future so should only be bought if you can afford to give up the expense easily.

Never thought of it like that really! Thanks

Coming from a Fitbit charge I was a little disappointed in the way the Apple Watch counted steps. I also was a little disappointed in how slow the apps downloaded sometimes. Also having to turn on and off the sleep apps to track my sleep. However after a month of using the watch it has become a part of my life. I cannot imagine not having it. Give it the fourteen days before returning it.

I don't really see issues with steps but losing the sleep tracking is hard. What apps do you use?

 

[BlueMoon63]

I have a Fitbit HR and it kicks my Apple Watchs ass... Sadly

Do emails load faster on the Fitbit HR or are you saying the dedicated HR device Fitbit is a better device for tracking the heart rate than the Apple Watch? Fitbit does one thing really and it does it very well. Comparing the Fitbit to the AW is like comparing a Moped to a BMW and saying the Moped kicks the BMW ass for MPG.

To someone asking about sleep tracking, there are two really good ones out there... Sleep ++ is free and native and has a complication. Sleep Pulse is better but costs a few dollars - it does way more and it is the one I use every night to track my sleep and is native and has a complication.

 

[Defender2010]

I agree that watchOS is very slow. It really needs refining as it feels laggy and underpowered. Perhaps it I'll never be fluid.

 

[kevinbeared]

I agree that watchOS is very slow. It really needs refining as it feels laggy and underpowered. Perhaps it I'll never be fluid.

I was thinking about that, then you have to think about how small the device is... I mean come on, it does the same thing as your iPhone (Siri, iMessage, Mail, Photo, Runnin App...) and it has to fit on your wrist, and the battery need to go through the entire day... Just think about the battery dimension. I think we are "used to" our iPhones and the fluidity of the OS...

I know it's no excuse for laggyness, and it bugs me when i click on "answer" and the 1sec freeze makes me a little bit angry but i have to admit this is pretty impressive when you think about it.

 

[Defender2010]

I was thinking about that, then you have to think about how small the device is... I mean come on, it does the same thing as your iPhone (Siri, iMessage, Mail, Photo, Runnin App...) and it has to fit on your wrist, and the battery need to go through the entire day... Just think about the battery dimension. I think we are "used to" our iPhones and the fluidity of the OS...

I know it's no excuse for laggyness, and it bugs me when i click on "answer" and the 1sec freeze makes me a little bit angry but i have to admit this is pretty impressive when you think about it.

If only they had put an A8 chip or the S chip equivalent inside it...

 

[maxsix]

The Apple Watch is not for everyone.

It is great to have choices.

Nicely summed up indeed

 

[convergent]

First off, did you upgrade to WatchOS 2? I bought one in a very busy Apple Store and it was still WatchOS 1.

Second, the first day I used mine things were a bit slow as it was getting loaded and synced. It may get faster. I find that most of the apps I use load pretty quickly, and occasionally they don't... its annoying, but I always have my phone as a backup, and if I didn't have the watch I'd be pulling out the phone for everything. Still a win.

You should tweak your notifications so you are only getting the ones you want on the watch. If I see an email that needs attention on the watch, I always go back to my phone to respond... so not planning to read whole emails on the watch.

Based on your responses, it also sounds to me like you want the watch to replace your phone, and sounds like you are using it for social things more than business use.... Twitter, Instagram, and emails with pictures. I don't use any of those things in my workday, and my workday stuff seems to get through very efficiently... as do messages which was one of the big things I got the watch for.

 

[The Game 161]

The watch isn't for everybody. That side certain things like Twitter is ideal for a quick glance and check. I certainly wouldn't use it more than my phone for checking tweets.

I love checking the football scores on my watch quickly. That's ideal

It sounds to me that you are expecting the watch to do what you want your phone to do. Which I don't think is totally realistic

 

[jeans94621]

Never thought of it like that really! Thanks




I don't really see issues with steps but losing the sleep tracking is hard. What apps do you use?

I use sleep++ it does what I want which is tell me how long I slept. But with the Fitbit I could just fall asleep without doing anything and it would track my sleep and it was really good about knowing what time I woke up. Sometimes I still use the Fitbit. When my Apple watch needs to be charge.

 

[Beretta226]

I'm sure your not the only one disappointed, just like I'm sure I'm not the only one extremely happy with my Apple Watch.

If you did your research and asked yourself what you want out of a wearable device you would not have been as you said (tricked) If emails, twitter and instagram are very important to you on a smartwatch then stay away from the Apple Watch and all the other smartwatches. I'm sure it might suit some people but for me I have emails switched off on my Apple Watch.

I also knew before the Apple Watch was available I would never use the activity app, I just got back from a Mountain Bike ride and loved every minute of it and my Garmin 1000 did a great job with all the info I wanted from it. The Apple Watch can't provide the info I need for Mountain Biking or Road Cycling.

My Apple Watch doesn't pretend to be an iPhone and my iPhone doesn't pretend to be an iPad and my iPad doesn't pretend to be an iMac. The Apple Watch also doesn't pretend to be a dedicated Fitness Device, it does the fitness thing well for people that want something basic. I use the above products daily and they serve me well.........

especially My Apple Watch

I hope you can get your money back from Apple, Good Luck

Well said!!!

 

[DiceMoney]

You have 14 days to return it without any problem in any apple store... You'll be refund immediatly.

Try it a little longer and you'll see ! But it surprises me that you didn't look through all this before buyin ?

In all honesty, if you don't try it, you really will never know how it is. I watched a couple videos of the apple watch before getting one. And the videos didn't give me a clue, is not because they were not informative, but when you don't use something is hard to relate to it, till you actually use it. Same thing happened to me with the Ipad, I thought I was only going to use it for reading books, but then really became a news hub, internet research book in your hands, and other things I do with it.

The Apple watch is a bit limited, but at the same time I kind of finding it useful. I knew I was going to use it at least for music remote control. Which I am doing a lot.

I also have use it the last couple days to time my sleep. The app I am using is supposed to do sleep analysis, but I don't think it even works, but just knowing how much I slept, kind of is giving me an idea, how I feel after sleeping X amount of time.

I also like using the stopwatch and timer as "complications" in my "watch face", though I do kind of agree with the user, that is a bit limited, first day really annoyed me, I was out and about, and wanted to use a couple apps, that just got stucked, I decided they were not worth even the trouble, in those particular situations.

I like the watch, but I don't even use it for health reasons(maybe sleep timing, which I don't think much of health reason), I just like using it for a couples messages and emails I receive a day. I do find it very useful, in the kitchen, the timers, and the remote for music, really help in that environment.

Though was shocked that Apple didn't have a reminders app, for the watch, it sucks that I have to fish out my phone, to read my reminders, or use a third party app altogether, which I don't want to do, yet, which I might have to do though anyhow soon.

 

[BarracksSi]

From what I've read, Twitter's own app sucks on the AW; try another Twitter-reading app instead (Twitterific, I think, has been recommended).

Anyway, remember that almost every other electronic gadget of the past thirty years has done more than the ones before it. The Walkman did more than the transistor radio, and MP3 players did more than the Walkman. Pocket electronic games went from Mattell Football to LCD games to the GameBoy, which itself advanced from four-shaded LCD to glasses-free 3D. Mobile phones, of course, used to stand out when they finally sprouted cameras, and now look at what they can do.

The AW, and other wearables, do less than other electronic devices. That's their purpose. You're not going to complain that an iPod Shuffle doesn't play movies, are you?

If you compare its usage model to an iPhone, of course you'll be disappointed. But, if you approach it as if it's a revved-up version of a wristwatch, you'll grasp it better.

 

[Aniseedvan]

Whilst I don't have a fitbit charge, I do have a Garmin VivoSmart, and comparing that to the Apple Watch would go as follows:
VS: Week's battery life, better viewed outdoors, app store largely focused to fitness apps, waterproof, in built GPS, light as anything
AW: Greater range of apps, and Apple Pay, arguably better looking.

The AW is not yet the one watch for everyone, and may well never end up being there (I thought I'd sell my VS but haven't).

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

There are plenty who are disappointed with it, I however, love mine. As many have mentioned you are expecting too much of it, or more accurately are expecting the wrong things. Even if the Apple watch had 100% of the processing power and s/w capability of the iPhone it would be a terrible, repeat, terrible experience to use it as you do your iPhone.

The Apple Watch certainly has a harder transition than most of Apple's products, because when you first get it you want to play with it all day. The Apple Watch is very different because you're not supposed to play with it all day; it's purpose is to seemlessly integrate with your life and make you less dependent on your phone. In fact the first few days I had it, I had to very intentionally force myself to not use it too much. App use should be minimized as much as possible. Where the watch shines is for notifications, activity tracking, and any sort of glancability.

I use mine for reminders to stay active, for sleep tracking (and waking through taptic), notifications, monitoring/recording runs/exercise, monitor HR, control podcasts, check the weather, and occasionally pay for things. That's basically it. It's beauty is in the simplicity. Oh and one of the biggies... Checking the time. I haven't worn a watch in years, so I forgot how great it can be to have it right on your wrist.

 

[douglasf13]

From what I've read, Twitter's own app sucks on the AW; try another Twitter-reading app instead (Twitterific, I think, has been recommended).

Anyway, remember that almost every other electronic gadget of the past thirty years has done more than the ones before it. The Walkman did more than the transistor radio, and MP3 players did more than the Walkman. Pocket electronic games went from Mattell Football to LCD games to the GameBoy, which itself advanced from four-shaded LCD to glasses-free 3D. Mobile phones, of course, used to stand out when they finally sprouted cameras, and now look at what they can do.

The AW, and other wearables, do less than other electronic devices. That's their purpose. You're not going to complain that an iPod Shuffle doesn't play movies, are you?

If you compare its usage model to an iPhone, of course you'll be disappointed. But, if you approach it as if it's a revved-up version of a wristwatch, you'll grasp it better.

Exactly. I think the current price of the Watch is leading some to think that it should do everything, but it's really just a phone accessory, and anything that takes over a few seconds to complete or works better on a larger screen should still be reserved for getting out a phone/tablet/laptop.

I mean, after the first week of ownership, I've barely even looked for any 3rd party apps, as the Watch already serves its intended purpose.

 

[Aniseedvan]

Exactly. I think the current price of the Watch is leading some to think that it should do everything, but it's really just a phone accessory, and anything that takes over a few seconds to complete or works better on a larger screen should still be reserved for getting out a phone/tablet/laptop.

I mean, after the first week of ownership, I've barely even looked for any 3rd party apps, as the Watch already serves its intended purpose.

True, but lovely Apple marketing still pushes us to believe it will solve third world debt (or as good as)...

I can understand there will be some who are disappointed, but I'd take it back and move on if that were the case.

 

[CKtoph]

As others have said, if you purchased an AW thinking it would replace your phone, you will definitely be disappointed. In my opinion, it's meant as simply a complementary device. For people that ask me, I tell them that I probably end up taking my phone out of my pocket 50-70% less than I did before I had the AW.

The most utility I get from it is responding quickly to text messages and short emails by dictation. If I get an alert for an email or message or anything that I need to respond or read more thoroughly, that's when the phone comes out. I don't feel the need to carry the phone around the house anymore either. I just leave it on my nightstand or desk.

Interestingly, I've also found that I don't sit there and stare at my phone nearly as often, particularly in front of my kids. This is a pleasant surprise considering I've been trying to be more conscious of being on my phone when the kids are around.

That being said, it's not a device that you can sit there and "play with for hours." There's really nothing to do on it until you get an alert that you want to respond to. There's only so many times you can ask Siri, "what's the weather like today?" before you get bored with it.

 

[lah]

At first I was pretty skeptical but I gave it a chance and now I cannot leave the house without it. I basically use it as a fitness tracker, notification machine and most importantly a watch. Love the complications such was the world clock and also the Dark Sky Complication does a great job of letting me know when it starts raining. I don't browse Intsagram on it, nor any other social media on it but I do use the messages app to send off quick replies I have programmed. But again, I didn't buy it to use those type of apps, I find twitter and other apps like that unnecessary on the watch. I think eventually we will see the watch's true purpose start to reveal itself. It's not a phone/tablet replacement.

Traveling with it is pretty useful and getting flight notifications works very well. Using it to scan my boarding pass was a bit awkward but still worked. And Apple Pay is a great feature, just wished more retailers accepted it. All in all I'm happy with mine and the latest software update made it more useful. I find my transit (bus schedules) glances load up right away. Also the biggest reason I kept it is that it actually has a bit of style. Yes, it looks like a smart watch but by swapping bands you can dress it up a bit and it will blend in a bit to what you're wearing. I find that all of the android wear watches look gadgety, the apple watch actually looks like a watch/accessory. Also, I keep my phone in my pocket a lot more...