Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Turn-by-Turn Experiences

MICHAELSD

MICHAELSD

macrumors 603
Original poster
Jul 13, 2008
5,491
3,501
NJ
One of the features I'm most excited to use is the turn-by-turn functionality on the Apple Watch. IMO it could be a game-changer as compared to using an iPhone or a standard unit. The taps can be valuable when jamming out to some tunes, as I usually have to listen pretty low when I use my iPhone for turn-by-turn directions. Some have advised against using the Apple Watch for highway turn-by-turn but that was pre-launch. How has turn-by-turn been for you so far? Issues notwithstanding with Apple Maps' software requesting me (and a few buddies) to make turns where there are "no turn" signs :eek:.
 
Easily my favorite use case example of the watch so far.

I've begun to use Apple maps more so now. The taptic feedback works VERY well and navigation is very accurate.

It is great to quickly glance to see how far away the next exit or turn is quickly without needing to divert your eyes to focus on an iPhone screen.

Way more natural to lift your arm while driving to 'check the time' than looking down at your phone. :apple:
 
I've used it a few times and it's pretty good in my opinion. I used to use my Bluetooth-connected phone through my car's audio system, so that's what I'm comparing it to. While you don't get the same kind of audio cues with the watch, you do get a relatively easy-to-see indicator of which direction to turn and when right on your wrist. I never got around to getting a dashboard mount for my phone so I always just had it in my pocket or in a cupholder, which makes referring to the screen tricky and potentially dangerous. The info on the watch can be taken in very quickly, so I think it's fairly safe.

While the tap patterns (and sounds, if you have them on) are different for left and right turns, I can't really tell them apart (or at least I can't remember which is which). Of course you're limited to using Apple Maps, which might be an issue for some.
 
It's no substitute for audible directions as far as I am concerned. If confirmation or clarification of audible directions are required, glancing at a fixed position screen is quicker and less distracting than glancing at the watch (especially as the latter requires the driver to take his/her hand off the wheel).

I'm often surprised when I see people who own a car and an iPhone, who use the latter for navigation, but don't invest a few dollars in a mount and auxiliary audio input (can be very inexpensive).
 
MICHAELSD said:
One of the features I'm most excited to use is the turn-by-turn functionality on the Apple Watch. IMO it could be a game-changer as compared to using an iPhone or a standard unit. The taps can be valuable when jamming out to some tunes, as I usually have to listen pretty low when I use my iPhone for turn-by-turn directions. Some have advised against using the Apple Watch for highway turn-by-turn but that was pre-launch. How has turn-by-turn been for you so far? Issues notwithstanding with Apple Maps' software requesting me (and a few buddies) to make turns where there are "no turn" signs :eek:.
Click to expand...

You can actually feel the tips while driving???
 
It actually works very well. You get taptic feedback as you approach exits, turns etc. It's a silent way of cueing you to pay attention to your GPS and nav. It's helped me a number of times now when I was on a phone call.
 
I love that maps does this! I travel a lot for work, now in Manhattan Beach, CA instead of home, and find it very helpful when going to new cities or new places at home!
 
The only real issue I had with it was that the taptic feedback seemed to hit a bit too late . . you'd almost be at the turn before you got the tap notification.

Maybe it's just me?
 
I feel the taps and I like it for navigation, but if i'm in an unfamiliar area, I still need to see the map on the screen because I like to know what the roads are going to look like.
 
I am really waiting to try this when walking. Using the phone while walking is kind of a pain. When driving I can feel the taps. I think they are easier to feel when you are kind of expecting them.
 
Maps opend automatically; but not anymore...

I love the navigation on the watch!
The taps should be a little earlier. I agree with this!
Another little thing, you should see the distance to the next turn right away and not after a little wait time after activating the display.

One thing I realized is that when I got the watch maps opend at the watch as soon as I started the navigation on the iPhone.
Now I get the taps, but the app doesn't open anymore. I have to open the app manually after starting the navigation on my iPhone.

Does anyone else realized this?
 
JPIndustrie said:
Easily my favorite use case example of the watch so far.

I've begun to use Apple maps more so now. The taptic feedback works VERY well and navigation is very accurate.

It is great to quickly glance to see how far away the next exit or turn is quickly without needing to divert your eyes to focus on an iPhone screen.

Way more natural to lift your arm while driving to 'check the time' than looking down at your phone. :apple:
Click to expand...

mount your phone on the car vent, no need to look down. looking/focusing in on a tiny screen on your wrist is way more distracting than glancing over at a mounted screen that is giving you voice turns
 
acctman said:
mount your phone on the car vent, no need to look down. looking/focusing in on a tiny screen on your wrist is way more distracting than glancing over at a mounted screen that is giving you voice turns
Click to expand...

This. The taps are fine as an augmentation, but not suitable as a primary means of navigating.
 
acctman said:
mount your phone on the car vent, no need to look down. looking/focusing in on a tiny screen on your wrist is way more distracting than glancing over at a mounted screen that is giving you voice turns
Click to expand...

The idea is to keep your eyes on the road until the Watch taps you, then you quickly look to see what to do next (with your hand/watch at the top of the steering wheel, not down). You don't constantly check on the mounted iPhone screen. This in theory should keep your eyes on the road more often.

That said, the haptic could come on a little earlier on some of the turns.
 
JayLenochiniMac said:
The idea is to keep your eyes on the road until the Watch taps you, then you quickly look to see what to do next (with your hand/watch at the top of the steering wheel, not down). You don't constantly check on the mounted iPhone screen. This in theory should keep your eyes on the road more often.

That said, the haptic could come on a little earlier on some of the turns.
Click to expand...

The iPhone screen is still preferable for glancing at, and if you have the watch there's no reason you can't use the haptic feedback and the iPhone screen together. Audible instructions are still the best option, though, since they can be a great deal more specific than 'turn right/left'.

Incidentally I tried my watch while driving, and it does not work well. Moving your hand to the 12 o'clock position isn't much better than taking it off of the wheel unless you are about to turn left (or right if you wear your watch on your right wrist). Having to make sure that the screen is activated takes some attention, and the directions aren't as easy to interpret as the map+pictographs that an iPhone can display.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back