Unexpected things you like about AW...

[BlueMoon63]

As funny as this probably sounds, the banking app that my bank has made for the watch. It lets me check my balance without needing to put in any codes or anything. Very convenient. It was an app I didn't know existed before I got my watch so it was an unexpected surprise and something I use almost daily.

And that really is what the watch is for right? quick little interactions that keep you informed.

I love this feature for my watch as well. The Wells Fargo glance is very quick to update. So nice to know my balance right away.

 

[iVegas]

What do you use for your grocery lists, and is adding items to it something you do with Siri?

It's all done with the lists you have in your reminders app. I have one for each of the major stores I shop at. So all I have to do is raise my watch and say "Hey Siri add bread to the grocery list" or "Hey Siri add bottled water to the Costco list". Said items will then magically appear in the reminders app on your phone in the list for each store.

To make lists in the reminders app just open the app and drag down from the top to reveal the "+" and try can add and name as many list as you need.

 

[caligurl]

i had no intention of using it as my fitness tool (other than to complete the rings) but I've now completely stopped using my polar HRM....

I had no intention of using at an alarm clock.... now my clock is gone from my bedside stand and I use my watch....

I discovered early on how convenient the timer is.... I use it all the time!

I thought notifications would be great from the get-go and they are!

apple pay! LOVE apple pay with the watch! just wish that rite aid's scanners actually worked for my plenty card... I still have to pull my phone out for that! poo!

shopping lists! I never used my phone cuz it was too much trouble... especially if I didn't have a pocket to put my phone it... I either had to hold it or put it back in my purse... so ended up just using paper.... the watch makes it so much easier! (I use the clear app)

I use siri to set reminders! I never used my phone... but it's so convenient to tell siri to remind me to do something when I get home!

and... when they come out with the next version... rather than selling my current apple watch (or turning it in as an upgrade if they do that.... I plan to use the original/old version for sleeping and use the silent alarm and sleep tracking! I currently still use my fitbit for that since I have to charge my watch overnight.... it'll be nice to have the watch on and just see the time on my wrist and not reach to the night stand to wake it up!



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There is one little trick I discovered that I really like. I don't have that many appointments usually, so having the calendar complication is often a waste of space. I discovered that if you tap the date complication it will take you to the calendar. Perfect for me, since I most often want to see what's coming up in the next few days instead of what my next appointment actually is.

OH!!!!! I didn't know that! thanx!!!!!
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By far my favorite unexpected surprise is being able to raise my wrist and add items to my grocery list when my hands are full or my phone is on the other side of the house. It's very convenient!

I'm hoping that with the next version we'll actually be able to access our reminders on our watches! I use clear for my shopping lists because of that... I can add stuff to clear from my watch but it involves force touch and not just raising my wrist! when/if they integrate reminders... that will be AWESOME!

 

[chuyn]

I'm hoping that with the next version we'll actually be able to access our reminders on our watches! I use clear for my shopping lists because of that... I can add stuff to clear from my watch but it involves force touch and not just raising my wrist! when/if they integrate reminders... that will be AWESOME!

Yes, I was quite surprised/disappointed that we have no way to view our notes/reminders from the watch. It seems really odd.

 

[Uofmtiger]

I use Wunderlist for my shopping lists. Since the list can be shared, it works great for us. With the watch app, you can just open the app, scroll to the list and force touch and say what you want to add. You can just touch the box next to the item when you want to clear it. Having it on my wrist all the time means that I can add the item immediately instead of trying to remember to add it when I get a chance later.

I also got some Hue lights recently and the watch app gives you the ability to add individual "scenes" that you can get to by the touch of a button.

 

[chuyn]

Damn, thanks! We've been using and really like Wunderlist too, but I've been testing out other list apps because I thought there was no way to add to a list from the watch itself haha.

 

[dannyyankou]

I would say digital touch. I thought it was a gimmick at first, but it turns out it's quite fun to use.

 

[robotic.]

When it wakes me with its vibrating alarm in the morning, and before I roll out of bed, I can check the weather to see whether I need to take a jacket with me for the day.

I agree, the vibrating alarm is really useful. I'm a pretty heavy sleeper so I wasn't sure it would work for me, but it's been fine so far.

My current roommate has morning classes at the same time as me, but last year I had a roommate who only scheduled classes after 11AM because she liked to sleep in... and my iPhone and clock alarms both drove her crazy. But it's like, what can you do? I have to get up! Now I can, without bothering anyone else in the room.

Though, as for the weather, it sometimes leads me astray... my watch said 34F in the morning (heavy sweater & jacket weather) and it turned out to be 65 by noon, and I was left carrying around 2 jackets! (That's sort of the fault of my weird local weather, though, lol.)


As for other helpful things.... well, I really like the timer feature for cooking. I had Easter dinner with relatives and on a whim I decided to put the timer for the hot cross buns in the oven on my watch rather than the oven. It turned out to be really useful! Rather than a loud binging from the oven, I was able to get the alarm silently and quietly slip off to take them out without interrupting dinner. Also, it was nice to be able to unobtrusively check the time left- glancing at a watch isn't nearly as rude as walking off to the kitchen or pulling out your phone.

Another unexpected thing I really like is the big Calendar complication on the face. It's the beginning of a new quarter, so usually I would be walking around with my phone in my hand all day open to my class schedule and locations... but now it's all on my wrist! It's really nice to glance down and have it there without having to root around in my bag or pockets for my phone and/or paper schedule.

 

[dannyyankou]

Here's somethin I just discovered today. You can sync your workouts and steps taken with myfitnesspal on your phone, and it will update the calories accordingly.

 

[Karnicopia]

I use Wunderlist for my shopping lists. Since the list can be shared, it works great for us. With the watch app, you can just open the app, scroll to the list and force touch and say what you want to add. You can just touch the box next to the item when you want to clear it. Having it on my wrist all the time means that I can add the item immediately instead of trying to remember to add it when I get a chance later.

I also got some Hue lights recently and the watch app gives you the ability to add individual "scenes" that you can get to by the touch of a button.

For the Hue lights you really don't have to use the buttons if you have the HomeKit version (square hub). You just say hey siri turn on my lights or hey Siri turn off my lights. You can also tell Siri to turn on specific scenes like I have a scene called night light and I say hey siri turn on scene night light. Pretty cool, one of my favorites because you don't need to have those taps or switches and I always have my watch with me so it's really convenient.

 

[Uofmtiger]

For the Hue lights you really don't have to use the buttons if you have the HomeKit version (square hub). You just say hey siri turn on my lights or hey Siri turn off my lights. You can also tell Siri to turn on specific scenes like I have a scene called night light and I say hey siri turn on scene night light. Pretty cool, one of my favorites because you don't need to have those taps or switches and I always have my watch with me so it's really convenient.

Right now I have "version one" in my office since it was on sale for $129. I will add the series 2 kit later in the year for the main areas when I get an Echo Dot (already on order), but I want to hold off until then since I am the only one in the house with a watch. However, the Siri features will make it that much better when I am in the office.

 

[Karnicopia]

Right now I have "version one" in my office since it was on sale for $129. I will add the series 2 kit later in the year for the main areas when I get an Echo Dot (already on order), but I want to hold off until then since I am the only one in the house with a watch. However, the Siri features will make it that much better when I am in the office.

Oh that makes sense the buttons are great too I think that was the biggest thing and just always having the watch on me was so convenient. Also not sure if you've checked out the IFFT app but it's really cool with the Hue lights. You can set up rules like if the sun comes up turn on light x or turn on a specific color. It works with a lot of stuff but really fun with the hue lights. You can even do things like if rain is starting flash lights etc.

 

[Uofmtiger]

Oh that makes sense the buttons are great too I think that was the biggest thing and just always having the watch on me was so convenient. Also not sure if you've checked out the IFFT app but it's really cool with the Hue lights. You can set up rules like if the sun comes up turn on light x or turn on a specific color. It works with a lot of stuff but really fun with the hue lights. You can even do things like if rain is starting flash lights etc.

Thanks for the info. I use IFTT for other stuff now, but I haven't looked into their Hue features yet. I will definitely look into it, though.

 

[dannyyankou]

I didn't think I would find glances so useful. It's so convenient to check my bank account or start a route to home and work by swiping up.
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When it wakes me with its vibrating alarm in the morning, and before I roll out of bed, I can check the weather to see whether I need to take a jacket with me for the day.

I tried this for the first time this morning. It's really effective. I was worried about battery life at first, but now it's 6:13 pm and I'm still at 61%

 

[jonnysods]

I'm never one to buy first generation Apple products. (iPhone, iPad, etc... have been 2nd or 3rd generation). However, I got an Apple watch as a surprise gift last Christmas. Needless to say, I'm not upset in the least that Apple didn't announce the inevitable Apple Watch 2 yet. By far, my favorite thing about this watch is that it saved me over $850 in airfare for my upcoming UK trip this summer. I was in the middle of packing (having just moved) and it alerted me thru one of those flight finder apps on my phone that there was a great deal to be had. Had I not been wearing the watch, I would have missed out on the sale.

Hey what app are you referring to?

 

[matt_on_a_mtn]

I've got a new one, now that I've had Apple Watch a couple weeks, and more from a fashion approach.

I love that it's breaking in, so to speak. I bought a leather cuff band for it, and the stainless has slowly picked up some light scratches, as my traditional stainless watches have.

I expected this to be something that I'd be irritated by, or that would be like that first bit of damage on a phone, but it's the opposite. It feels more like a part of my daily wardrobe, more like it's mine than just this gadget on my wrist. It goes along with it feeling a lot more like an actual watch than just a toy to nerd out with.

 

[Voragon]

Had my almost a year (received it in 4/24/15). Haven't used any other watch since. Always a watch person but my 38ss has been the only one used since then

Favorite things.

1. Love the haptic tap when a message comes in or it starts to rain or stops raining or my alarm goes off quietly with a tap.

2. Love when the messages come in and I can just reply with a canned response or a pulsing heart or a dynamic smiley.

3. Love the color selections for the face.

4. Love how response it is to Hey Siri. My iPhone directly never been so responsive.

5. Love that I don't have to search for my iPhone if a call comes in ... Missed soooo many calls that way before.

6. I continue to like being reminded to stand

7. I love tracking sleep pattern ....

I could go on and on and on .

 

[gwhizkids]

Had my almost a year (received it in 4/24/15). Haven't used any other watch since. Always a watch person but my 38ss has been the only one used since then

Favorite things.

1. Love the haptic tap when a message comes in or it starts to rain or stops raining or my alarm goes off quietly with a tap.

2. Love when the messages come in and I can just reply with a canned response or a pulsing heart or a dynamic smiley.

3. Love the color selections for the face.

4. Love how response it is to Hey Siri. My iPhone directly never been so responsive.

5. Love that I don't have to search for my iPhone if a call comes in ... Missed soooo many calls that way before.

6. I continue to like being reminded to stand

7. I love tracking sleep pattern ....

I could go on and on and on .

What app does the haptic notifications when it rains? Sounds cool!

 

[BarracksSi]

I'll add another one: Stand reminders.

It sounds so stupid, being reminded to stand up once an hour. During the original reveal, and all the way until I had mine for a while, I thought, what a dumb little feature, I already move around enough.

I didn't really notice how, usually at home on weekends, I'd sit there for loooong periods of time. After I got my Watch, I decided to play along with the Stand reminders.

I'll be darned if I didn't start feeling better. When prompted, I'd get up, walk around, fill my water bottle or whatever, and I'd start to notice my glutes getting refreshed.

"Take breaks," we're being told in coding class. It's easy to lose track of time when I'm sitting there staring at the screen. When I get a little nudge (literally), I get up, clear my eyeballs, move my joints, and I usually come up with another solution.

Stand reminders. Try it, you'll like it!

 

[mcorleone]

Hey what app are you referring to?

It's called Hopper

 

[Uofmtiger]

I was looking at the Consumer Reports (I have a subscription) app on my watch and it is pretty cool. Just tell it a product category and it will bring up their ratings. If you click on an item, it will show you a retail price and a "recommended" box with a check in it if it is recommended.

 

[gwhizkids]

The ability to connect directly via wifi if my iPhone is not nearby. Just had a real need for this: accidentally left phone in car after lunch, but Watch was still able to connect to my guest wifi at work and relay a message to me about an important call that was being rescheduled to right that moment. Had the Watch not been able to connect to the wifi, I would not have been able to take the call. While not really "unexpected", it was a feature I did not really ever expect to need. Glad it was there when I did need it, though!

 

[BarracksSi]

Time Travel, if only for checking the weather forecast 24 hours ahead. Tapping the Weather complication gets me the next 10-12 hours, but if I want to see what it'll be like when I come home tomorrow night, a couple spins of the crown gets me there.

 

[Voragon]

What app does the haptic notifications when it rains? Sounds cool!

Dark Sky App Store.

 

[redman042]

By far my favorite unexpected surprise is being able to raise my wrist and add items to my grocery list when my hands are full or my phone is on the other side of the house. It's very convenient!

What app are you using for grocery lists?