Very Glad I Have Cellular On My Series 9

[JBinPDX]

When I bought my Series 9 I dithered about whether or not I should get cellular. (Don't want an Ultra. Too big.) In the end I decided what the heck.

At 2:00 AM this morning my dog got sick and needed to go outside Right Now. (Not unusual. The idiot eats garbage if I can't stop him in time.) I have to take him out because my yard is not fully fenced. I threw on my robe and grabbed my watch, because if I had to go for a walk in the middle of the night, I wanted credit for the steps.

When we got outside, I heard what sounded like a moan and a call for help up at the other end of the block. I debated what to do because I'm not a young person and my dog is not much in the way of protection. But I live in a very quiet neighborhood on a street that gets very little traffic. In the end I went cautiously up that direction. I found an elderly man lying prone on his back on the street behind his still-running car. "Are you OK?" I asked. "No!" he said. "I fell and I can't get up." (Seriously, he said that and it wasn't funny.)

And I used my watch to call 911.

The ambulance came in about 5 minutes. I turned the car off, waited with the man and tried to keep him talking — the dispatcher had suggested I do this. He seemed a bit confused about where he was and how he got there. When I saw the ambulance turn up the side street, I flagged them down. The EMTs took over from there, and said they'd also take care of the car.

An hour later when my dog needed to go out again, the ambulance and car were both gone. I'm hoping the guy is going to be OK, but don't suppose I'll ever know.

I will never buy an Apple watch that doesn't have cellular.

 

[MultiFinder17]

I had the first-gen watch on launch day, so no cellular. When it finally came time to get a new watch, I knew I wanted one with cellular, so when I got my S4 I got the LTE one. I never used it much, but it came in handy a few times.

These days I have a non-cellular SE2 as my main daytime watch, but my nighttime watch is my old S4. I use that watch when I walk my dog in the morning, and it brings plenty of peace of mind knowing that while I'm walking a few miles with my pup at 5AM every day, I'm not disconnected in case something happens. I don't like bringing my phone with me, so it's a great comfort knowing that I can still call if need be.

 

[kht410]

This is such a great story! Sometimes we take the technology we have today for granted, but posts like this is a great reminder that we are living in a great era of tech. Making phone calls using a watch is something that we used to only see in Sci-fi movies, and now it’s reality!

 

[JBinPDX]

This is such a great story! Sometimes we take the technology we have today for granted, but posts like this is a great reminder that we are living in a great era of tech. Making phone calls using a watch is something that we used to only see in Sci-fi movies, and now it’s reality!

It was a real “Dick Tracy” moment for me, even at the time. And the call was perfectly clear. It felt crazy, and very cool.

 

[chiefs1968]

It's a nice concept to have, I had it for several years and then I got rid of it (never using it). I learned that if I am outside my house and my watch is still connected to the home wifi I can actually still make phone calls from watch...(Wifi calling).....also if I am at the following and don't have my phone such as Publix, Winn Dixie, Target, Wallmart, Chillie's, Baham Breeze, Panera Bread..etc. etc. etc.....I can make phone calls via their wifi without having my phone. That is why I got rid of Cellular on my watch.

 

[Howard2k]

The Ultra is my first cellular watch. My employer pays for the cellular plan.

I personally would probably not pay for the plan myself, but I will probably always buy cellular watches going forwards so that at least 1) I have the option of activation, and 2) I can still make an emergency call if required.

 

[JBinPDX]

It's a nice concept to have, I had it for several years and then I got rid of it (never using it). I learned that if I am outside my house and my watch is still connected to the home wifi I can actually still make phone calls from watch...(Wifi calling).....also if I am at the following and don't have my phone such as Publix, Winn Dixie, Target, Wallmart, Chillie's, Baham Breeze, Panera Bread..etc. etc. etc.....I can make phone calls via their wifi without having my phone. That is why I got rid of Cellular on my watch.

I didn't need it either... until I did. I wasn't in wifi range of my house, and I wasn't anywhere public wifi was available. I was seriously considering dumping cellular on my next watch, whenever I decide to upgrade. But now I think I'll keep it.

 

[thewhitehart]

I’m glad you were there to help him. My Series 9 is my first Apple Watch, and I got the cellular version. I like how I can leave my iPhone home on weekends as sort of a digital detox while still getting iMessages and alerts. I also like how I can hang out with drinking buddies and not worry about losing my phone or sending crazy messages while drunk. Have you ever tried to type a message while drunk on an Apple Watch? 😆

 

[Bichon]

I also like how I can hang out with drinking buddies and not worry about losing my phone or sending crazy messages while drunk. Have you ever tried to type a message while drunk on an Apple Watch? 😆

I guess I shouldn't tell you that if you press the little microphone icon under the virtual keyboard you can dictate your crazy drunken messages, at least to the degree that the watch can understand slurred speech.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I guess I shouldn't tell you that if you press the little microphone icon under the virtual keyboard you can dictate your crazy drunken messages, at least to the degree that the watch can understand slurred speech.

The people who will be getting his drunken audio messages thank you in advance. 😁

 

[GrayFlannel]

I never used the cellular feature of my Apple Watch so I discontinued the line.
If not for using the watch to tap at a POS I wouldn’t miss it much.

 

[GlenK]

I always have cellular because I like not having to take my phone everywhere I go. Just so convenient when the watch does everything!!!

 

[HarryMudd]

Can’t you dial 911 even if you do not have an active cell plan? I’m thinking about spending the extra for the cell option but not paying to activate it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Can’t you dial 911 even if you do not have an active cell plan? I’m thinking about spending the extra for the cell option but not paying to activate it.

Correct.

 

[Howard2k]

Can’t you dial 911 even if you do not have an active cell plan? I’m thinking about spending the extra for the cell option but not paying to activate it.

In most countries, but not all.

 

[makingmark]

My reason for getting an Apple Watch was to be able to run, bike and otherwise exercise outside without my iPhone and still have the security of being able to make a call or use Maps. I don't care about tracking my exercise - I do it and it's a nice to have, but I've never needed it as motivation since I was doing it before smartphones. And I don't like carrying around a bulky iPhone in my fitness clothes (I stopped doing it once the original SE was dead).

Only costs $5 extra a month on my Visible plan, flat (taxes included). Well worth it.

 

[toobravetosave]

i really hate bringing my phone when i walk the dog but i never considered an unpaid cell watch for getting 911 access

that’s absolutely brilliant

future wise a competent apple intelligence on a cell watch would be a great way to further reduce phone usage

 

[TechnoMonk]

Great story. I have heard so many of these stories about Apple Watch being helpful in emergencies. You did your part in getting the man help. Hope he is ok.

 

[ZebraDude]

I’m glad you were there to help him. My Series 9 is my first Apple Watch, and I got the cellular version. I like how I can leave my iPhone home on weekends as sort of a digital detox while still getting iMessages and alerts. I also like how I can hang out with drinking buddies and not worry about losing my phone or sending crazy messages while drunk. Have you ever tried to type a message while drunk on an Apple Watch? 😆

SIRI Dictation works wonderfully for me on my Series 9 or Series 7. 😜

 

[Jamie0003]

i really hate bringing my phone when i walk the dog but i never considered an unpaid cell watch for getting 911 access

that’s absolutely brilliant

future wise a competent apple intelligence on a cell watch would be a great way to further reduce phone usage

I broke the screen of my S4 last year and have been waiting for this years model to get a new one.

Only issue is it would be a hard sell if it’s not capable of Apple Intelligence.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Can’t you dial 911 even if you do not have an active cell plan? I’m thinking about spending the extra for the cell option but not paying to activate it.

You can in all of Europe. And in some parts outside of Europe too.

But it might actually also work in the US, I think : https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/...11_bureau/what-happens-when-i-call-9-1-1.html

I've never seen anyone talk about it on here. Maybe because everyone with a cellular Watch has never been off their plans since purchasing their Watches?

 

[jz0309]

I broke the screen of my S4 last year and have been waiting for this years model to get a new one.

Only issue is it would be a hard sell if it’s not capable of Apple Intelligence.

apple announced that Apple Intelligence will only run on iPhone 15Pro or later and on M series Macs, no mention of AW, nor does AW have a processor like that

 

[jz0309]

You can in all of Europe. And in some parts outside of Europe too.

But it might actually also work in the US, I think : https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/...11_bureau/what-happens-when-i-call-9-1-1.html

I've never seen anyone talk about it on here. Maybe because everyone with a cellular Watch has never been off their plans since purchasing their Watches?

it's available in US and Canada, and talked about quite a bit in this forum

 

[Jamie0003]

apple announced that Apple Intelligence will only run on iPhone 15Pro or later and on M series Macs, no mention of AW, nor does AW have a processor like that

Yes but they aren’t going to announce it for a watch that hasn’t been released yet are they? Wait and see

 

[ndouglas]

When I bought my Series 9 I dithered about whether or not I should get cellular. (Don't want an Ultra. Too big.) In the end I decided what the heck.

At 2:00 AM this morning my dog got sick and needed to go outside Right Now. (Not unusual. The idiot eats garbage if I can't stop him in time.) I have to take him out because my yard is not fully fenced. I threw on my robe and grabbed my watch, because if I had to go for a walk in the middle of the night, I wanted credit for the steps.

When we got outside, I heard what sounded like a moan and a call for help up at the other end of the block. I debated what to do because I'm not a young person and my dog is not much in the way of protection. But I live in a very quiet neighborhood on a street that gets very little traffic. In the end I went cautiously up that direction. I found an elderly man lying prone on his back on the street behind his still-running car. "Are you OK?" I asked. "No!" he said. "I fell and I can't get up." (Seriously, he said that and it wasn't funny.)

And I used my watch to call 911.

The ambulance came in about 5 minutes. I turned the car off, waited with the man and tried to keep him talking — the dispatcher had suggested I do this. He seemed a bit confused about where he was and how he got there. When I saw the ambulance turn up the side street, I flagged them down. The EMTs took over from there, and said they'd also take care of the car.

An hour later when my dog needed to go out again, the ambulance and car were both gone. I'm hoping the guy is going to be OK, but don't suppose I'll ever know.

I will never buy an Apple watch that doesn't have cellular.

Good point, and story… will think about activating cellular… however the likelihood of not having my phone on me is infinitesimal. May I inquire how much the monthly cellular costs for you? From what I’ve researched myself it’s $10 / month and that’s not counting fees. Still, it’s tempting.