Thinking about ordering this weekend.....

[AidenL]

......but I'm a little bit worried about the announcement that the revised version will be announced in March next.

I know I could have 4 or 5 months solid use by then, plus the changes may not be drastic.

I'm thinking about 42mm SS with the red Sport band for exercising and working at home and the SS link for work and suit wearing etc.

Few questions:

If I'm outside and my phone is inside, could I listen to music from the phone through Bluetooth headphones?

Do any navigation apps work on the phone when disconnected from wifi, eg when abroad, in a strange city, is input possible to plan out a route and the phone will do the haptic two to issue walking directions?

I'm also curious as to what you current owners consider the killer feature, the USP so to speak which hooked you and which keeps you loving the watch.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Yes you can download music on your watch and listen to it via BT.

If you have cellular data in your location you can do navigation on your phone without WiFi. BUT, it can be expensive in some locations. GPS on you map should be fine.

 

[artfossil]

.

If I'm outside and my phone is inside, could I listen to music from the phone through Bluetooth headphones?

If your phone is within Bluetooth range you can continue to listen to music from your phone. I also listen to Audible audiobooks from my phone.

Otherwise, you can sync one playlist to your Apple Watch for listening without having your phone connected. (I love this feature.)

 

[artfossil]

......but I'm a little bit worried about the announcement that the revised version will be announced in March next.
I'm also curious as to what you current owners consider the killer feature, the USP so to speak which hooked you and which keeps you loving the watch.

My top three:

1. Having my next calendar even on my watch face as a complication and getting haptic alerts.
2. Being able to screen calls and messages and reply to messages or answer calls if I need to.
3. Checking MLB scores during faculty meetings.

 

[convergent]

What you are suggesting buying is quite expensive. If I were you, I might go with a smaller investment pending your satisfaction and the potential new model. I bought the Sport model... Tried it for a week... Loved it... Returned it and bought a mint used SS with classic buckle and Apple Care on eBay for hundreds off new price. Just an option for you to not be so heavily invested.

As for use, if I understand your question, you can't probably listen outside via Bluetooth... Range is pretty short for Bluetooth. As others have said, you can load a small amount of music to the watch and listen to the watch via Bluetooth.

I like using wired headsets and I use the watch to control it. That way I can leave the phone in my pocket. This is especially handy when I'm doing yard work and have dirty hands. I can use Siri on the watch to control selecting music. Other times I use the watch glance controller.

Regarding navigation when abroad, I'm doing that now. I'm in London using City Mapper. What I do is first open it on my iPhone and decide what route I want and start it. I then use the glance on the watch to open it and get the instructions for how to navigate the Underground. I personally prefer the phone for the walking segments, but the watch should work for that too. I'm headed to Heathrow in a few hours and will rely on the watch for all the Underground guidance.

The watch works well with Uber too, although I've not used it for that personally.

 

[AidenL]

Ok, so music is doable, GPS without Wifi, not so much then.

Data roaming is mega expensive, and thats where you really need help with directions.

Pity routes couldn't be downloaded to the watch from a phone app or a desktop app.....

Any thoughts on the update? Pure speculation I know - I just have a nagging feeling I'm a bit far through the product cycle - as @convergent suggests, maybe a Sport might be more sensible for now.......

 

[TxWatch]

I did what convergent recommended and purchased the least expensive 42mm to minimize my investment in case I did not like it. I also waited until the price came down over Thanskgiving, knowing I would get 4-5 months use out of it before AW 2. I bought an Open Box from Best Buy that was $324 at the time. When the Christmas specials were announced, I went back to Best Buy and got another $50 credit. In the end, I paid $272 for a perfect condition SG Watch Sport.

When the new ones come out, if they have new features I really want (GPS, no camera and really good fitness tracking Apps) I will buy a Space Black SS and sell my existing one for what I can get. If the features are not there, I will keep using my existing one knowing they will eventually catch up to the features I want.

TxWatch

 

[trife]

I was in your exact same situation--wanted a SS version but was worried about the new watch coming out in a few months. I almost bought one from Cowboom, but even at $400 I had second guesses about spending that much now.

So if $400 for SS was too much, so was paying retail for a 42mm sport. My advice is to take advantage of the current discounted prices at Best Buy, Target and some other retailers. I opted for the 42mm aluminum sport model since I know I'll only own it until the new watch is announced. Got it for $261 out the door WITH a $100 from Target earlier tonite. At that price, they could announce the new one next week and I wouldn't feel bad about buying one.

Pro tip: hit up slickdeals and find the Target Apple Watch thread and beg for a 15% off Target wedding registry coupon (I gifted a lady a $5 Amazon gift card for mine). Go in-store and have them price match BB's current $100 off price. And then sign up for a Red Card and get an additional 5% off your purchase. You'll get a $100 gift card and watch for around $250, depending on your sales tax.

 

[convergent]

I didn't mean to discourage you ftpm getting it... I really love using mine and I'm glad I have the SS. I was just saying if you can lower your initial investment vs retail, you will be less hurt by a new model. The link band is big bucks and no guarantee it will work with a new model. On the other hand, I don't think they will make a radical change in a new model... I expect it wont visually change much.

On the data roaming thing... I've had the benefit of T-mobile's unlimited data plan. It's not blazing fast roaming but it's free. It certainly works fine for most things. I'm going to be going back to our AT&T family plan soon and not sure how their add on will compare.

 

[maflynn]

Any thoughts on the update? Pure speculation I know

We have a long thread on that topic - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-watch-2-wishlist.1931130/

 

[TxWatch]

Pro tip: hit up slickdeals and find the Target Apple Watch thread and beg for a 15% off Target wedding registry coupon (I gifted a lady a $5 Amazon gift card for mine). Go in-store and have them price match BB's current $100 off price. And then sign up for a Red Card and get an additional 5% off your purchase. You'll get a $100 gift card and watch for around $250, depending on your sales tax.

Great Tip!

I did not realize Target would price match and still give you the $100 gift card. I thought it was one or the other.

 

[AidenL]

You guys in the US have such great discounts available.

I was in NY for Christmas last year with relatives, wish I was back here this year now !

 

[AidenL]

Well, I ordered up - went middle ground - SS with the Product Red Sports band and ordered a Hoco Black Leather Classic Buckle copy for dress wear.

If I like it, I'll invest in the SS Link later on.

Hope I made the right decision !

 

[drober30]

......but I'm a little bit worried about the announcement that the revised version will be announced in March next.

I know I could have 4 or 5 months solid use by then, plus the changes may not be drastic.

I'm thinking about 42mm SS with the red Sport band for exercising and working at home and the SS link for work and suit wearing etc.

Few questions:

If I'm outside and my phone is inside, could I listen to music from the phone through Bluetooth headphones?

Do any navigation apps work on the phone when disconnected from wifi, eg when abroad, in a strange city, is input possible to plan out a route and the phone will do the haptic two to issue walking directions?

I'm also curious as to what you current owners consider the killer feature, the USP so to speak which hooked you and which keeps you loving the watch.

Thanks in advance.

I was in the same boat and decided to order the Sport models at the $100 off. I think the 2nd gen will be greatly improved and plan on buying it. I can sell the Sport models for enough money that I won't be dissapointed.