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Review for those on the fence
- Thread starter Gregintosh
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Update for anyone who is interested:
I decided to keep the watch. Over the last week and a half or so that I've had it, I have tried to use virtually all the functions and I can see them being more convenient than the phone for some things. I am not at the point where I feel "naked" without it but I am getting there.
The notifications worry me a bit as I may have gotten "used to" the taptic and sometimes miss them but going forward I will keep the sound on too so hopefully that won't be an issue. The notifications are the #1 thing that put me over the top in my decision.
I still feel it's a beta product but since Watch OS 2 fixes many of the software issues, I feel that I'll be happier with it then. Plus, I know I am at least going to want to play with it and any new apps coming down the pipeline, so keeping it made sense for that reason too.
As for version 2, I think it will be much better, but I am sure Ill be able to trade-in/sell current to offset the new if I have to.
I'm glad some people found this discussion helpful!
I decided to keep the watch. Over the last week and a half or so that I've had it, I have tried to use virtually all the functions and I can see them being more convenient than the phone for some things. I am not at the point where I feel "naked" without it but I am getting there.
The notifications worry me a bit as I may have gotten "used to" the taptic and sometimes miss them but going forward I will keep the sound on too so hopefully that won't be an issue. The notifications are the #1 thing that put me over the top in my decision.
I still feel it's a beta product but since Watch OS 2 fixes many of the software issues, I feel that I'll be happier with it then. Plus, I know I am at least going to want to play with it and any new apps coming down the pipeline, so keeping it made sense for that reason too.
As for version 2, I think it will be much better, but I am sure Ill be able to trade-in/sell current to offset the new if I have to.
I'm glad some people found this discussion helpful!
I have done that, and somehow I still look down occasionally and see the red dot. It's not mega major (if it was, I wouldn't have kept it) but it happens maybe 10% of the time. As I mentioned earlier, this is more of a "my body" issue than Apple's problem so its ok.
Hopefully version 2 of the watch will send a 240 volt shock through your system to let you know when a text is coming in or at least a little needle could come out and prick you.
I have done that, and somehow I still look down occasionally and see the red dot. It's not mega major (if it was, I wouldn't have kept it) but it happens maybe 10% of the time. As I mentioned earlier, this is more of a "my body" issue than Apple's problem so its ok.
Hopefully version 2 of the watch will send a 240 volt shock through your system to let you know when a text is coming in or at least a little needle could come out and prick you.
Yeah, it can be easy to miss while you're on the move, really no different from missing the iPhone vibration in your pocket while walking.
Hopefully version 2 of the watch will send a 240 volt shock through your system to let you know when a text is coming in or at least a little needle could come out and prick you.
I'm hoping Apple will eventually give us options to customize the taptic notifications. The timer on the watch just keeps vibrating forever until I tap ok (I've yet to see what happens if I let it run -- I'm thinking it has to stop at some point or the watch will run out of battery). I wish I could set the stand notification to do the same.
Take your time with it OP.
I went back and forth with actually two different watches (first the sport, then SS) before "why am I doing this?!" completely hit me and I returned it.
Some of the features were neat, but I realized I was *trying to find a way to use it* rather than actually having a useful need.
Seeing every text/email/notification that comes in - I don't really need. Dictating was usually very good, but I'm still a much faster typer. Pulling my phone out wasn't an issue, and I always felt like an ass/like I'm announcing to thieves *look what I have! Rob me!* when I was talking in to it.
Also as someone who stopped wearing watching years ago - I felt like a slave having to stop before I go out, and getting it ready and set up whenever I went out. Also, I felt like a jackass putting it on just to go to the store, and wearing it around the house just felt unnecessary and silly.
Once I returned it, I felt much freer not having to worry about it.
The only thing I somewhat miss is driving directions with it.
The very nature of it being a tech item, means:
A: It's going to be upgraded with more RAM/better specs at some point.
B: There's a relatively short lifespan to it, where at some point support will stop, and the technology moves on.
Who cares about how durable the sapphire glass is - when you probably won't even be wearing it in 5, 10 years?
For something that I had to try and find a use for, that costs $600+ - no thanks.
Anyway - take your time with it..
I went back and forth with actually two different watches (first the sport, then SS) before "why am I doing this?!" completely hit me and I returned it.
Some of the features were neat, but I realized I was *trying to find a way to use it* rather than actually having a useful need.
Seeing every text/email/notification that comes in - I don't really need. Dictating was usually very good, but I'm still a much faster typer. Pulling my phone out wasn't an issue, and I always felt like an ass/like I'm announcing to thieves *look what I have! Rob me!* when I was talking in to it.
Also as someone who stopped wearing watching years ago - I felt like a slave having to stop before I go out, and getting it ready and set up whenever I went out. Also, I felt like a jackass putting it on just to go to the store, and wearing it around the house just felt unnecessary and silly.
Once I returned it, I felt much freer not having to worry about it.
The only thing I somewhat miss is driving directions with it.
The very nature of it being a tech item, means:
A: It's going to be upgraded with more RAM/better specs at some point.
B: There's a relatively short lifespan to it, where at some point support will stop, and the technology moves on.
Who cares about how durable the sapphire glass is - when you probably won't even be wearing it in 5, 10 years?
For something that I had to try and find a use for, that costs $600+ - no thanks.
Anyway - take your time with it..
People have been saying that for years and so far Apple has not upped the ram on the iPhone or iPad, my point is, I wouldn't expect them to be so quick to increase the ram on such a new product.
I agree, which is why I opted for the sport model, as the days click off, I'm pretty amazed at how easily the Apple Watch integrates into my life and makes things just a bit easier and better. Could I live without it, sure, but its also pretty cool to have.
I may be going out on a limb here, but I'd say the many members here like technology and like to see what technology can do for them. The AW is a prime example, I was surprised when setting up google maps on my phone for a trip to urgent care for my daughter, that the turn indications started showing up on my watch, without any interaction on my part. That made it easier for me to get to the urgent care office without hold my phoning and reducing what was already a stressful situation.
I think a watch is supposed to be something that you put on in the morning and forget about until you take it off at night, so I can understand how the watch wasn't for you if you didn't like wearing at around the house. That said, what do you mean by getting it ready and set up whenever you go out? All the "set up" I do is just picking it up and putting it on my wrist -- I don't do anything to "get it ready" or whatever!
But honestly, I don't think I would have kept the watch if I didn't use its activity tracking. I've gotten addicted to filling up the activity circles, and it helps keep me more active, which is a good thing. But while the notifications are semi-useful, interacting with the watch is fiddly, whether I'm tapping the screen or trying to push and turn the crown and side button. It often takes me several tries to get what I want, and I end up feeling like I could have done it faster by pulling out my phone. One great exception is using the timer at the laundromat, because now I don't have to bring my iPhone to the laundromat just so I can set the timer. So for me, the watch will feel more useful if it were independent of the iPhone, and I could leave my phone at home more.
I know they did increase the RAM on the iPad at one point -- I'm pretty sure the Airs have more RAM than the original iPad did. I think actually the iPad 2 or 3 had more RAM than the original, iPad. Not sure if the Airs increased over the 2/3/4. And I kind of doubt that the iPhone 6/6+ has the same RAM as the very first iPhone.
Hope your daughter is ok?
And yeah, the seamless handoff between the phone and the watch for maps direction is pretty amazing. Too bad I don't drive so I don't have much opportunity to use it. I haven't had the chance to use it for walking directions much, either. Maybe once iOS 9 hits and we get transit directions, I'd get a chance to use it more.
Yeah she's ok, but it was not a fun day yesterday. It was helpful to have that on my watch.
Yeah she's ok, but it was not a fun day yesterday. It was helpful to have that on my watch.
And you bought it for fitness tracking and notifications, right? Didn't Tim Cook say something like that? That he thought/hoped people would buy the watch for one thing, then find it useful in some other unexpected way?
I would say that notification alerts on their own can be served reasonably well with a pebble, or other generic smartwatch. Actionable notifications are what sets this watch apart from my garmin, being able to clear off and reply to texts is worth the admission price for me.
Apple has upped the ram on the iPhone a couple of times since the original iPhone, but we've been stuck at 1 GB for a few years now. They may or may not up it again depending on where they're heading with future software. However, they're not very quick to do it because they do not advertise the ram at all.
had mine on for 14 hours today, currently at 52% battery. I've made about 5 calls, sent quite a few texts and got about 30 notifications. I'm pretty impressed with that!
I'm at 66% now, been wearing it since 7 AM. Typically I end the day with 50% or better or close to it. Basically, I can see that I don't have to worry about the battery.
If you don't like wearing it around the house and/or you don't care for notifications then I agree its not a good fit for you. To me, 80% of the usefulness is the notifications. Honestly, I enjoy responding back to texts on the watch and it also helps me determine whats important enough for me to take my phone out and address and what I can ignore.
And sure, I do miss one once in a while but I catch a TON more than I do with my phone is in my pocket. It's like now I get 90% of them, and miss 10%. With my phone in my pocket (even with ringer up) I would miss 90% and get 10% (especially when I'm walking outside). So definitely a worthy improvement even if not 100%.
Granted, a Pebble could do it, but the Apple watch looks good. I wouldn't have worn the Pebble to the wedding (quite formal event) or I would have looked silly. Instead, my Milanese loop made everyone else's "fashion/jewelry watches" look antiquated and cheap.
I also recently enjoyed the GPS directions on there. I think its better than the phone for that, especially while walking. Also, Apple Pay on it came in handy. But I agree, none of it is NECESSARY it is just "nice" to have. So for that reason I don't consider this a must buy but it is a fun buy.
If you don't like wearing it around the house and/or you don't care for notifications then I agree its not a good fit for you. To me, 80% of the usefulness is the notifications. Honestly, I enjoy responding back to texts on the watch and it also helps me determine whats important enough for me to take my phone out and address and what I can ignore.
And sure, I do miss one once in a while but I catch a TON more than I do with my phone is in my pocket. It's like now I get 90% of them, and miss 10%. With my phone in my pocket (even with ringer up) I would miss 90% and get 10% (especially when I'm walking outside). So definitely a worthy improvement even if not 100%.
Granted, a Pebble could do it, but the Apple watch looks good. I wouldn't have worn the Pebble to the wedding (quite formal event) or I would have looked silly. Instead, my Milanese loop made everyone else's "fashion/jewelry watches" look antiquated and cheap.
I also recently enjoyed the GPS directions on there. I think its better than the phone for that, especially while walking. Also, Apple Pay on it came in handy. But I agree, none of it is NECESSARY it is just "nice" to have. So for that reason I don't consider this a must buy but it is a fun buy.