Watch vibration when navigating. Am I missing the obvious - or is Apple?

[polyphenol]

Since getting my AW8 quite a few months ago, I've found the vibration alerts when navigating are pretty useful.

But does Apple just use one vibration signal for all purposes?

For example, most of the roundabouts in my area are very simple - you can go left, straight ahead, or right. But I haven't noticed any difference in the haptic signal.

Is it because I am not prepared for multiple versions and am missing the differences? Or is it that Apple really don't change the signal according to the message?

I can imagine a primitive grammar of signals to help communicate the actual instruction without needing to listen to words or take your eyes off the road to view a screen. Something like long and short for turn left, long and two shorts for straight ahead, long and three shorts for right.

(I did try looking back but didn't find this topic discussed.)

 

[chabig]

I think the haptics only tell you to turn right or left.

 

[NoBoMac]

There are three haptics when navigating, but can't recall what they are exactly. One for left, another for right, and then a big one for "have arrived".

Also get two different sounds from the Watch for turns. One is A,B,A,B type tone, other is B,A,B,A.

Don't use navigation enough or pay close attention when using as usually know I will be going left or right at next alert (and can see on CarPlay or glance at the Watch), more in like about the haptic alerting that this is the intersection just ahead.

 

[polyphenol]

There are three haptics when navigating, but can't recall what they are exactly. One for left, another for right, and then a big one for "have arrived".

Also get two different sounds from the Watch for turns. One is A,B,A,B type tone, other is B,A,B,A.

Don't use navigation enough or pay close attention when using as usually know I will be going left or right at next alert (and can see on CarPlay or glance at the Watch), more in like about the haptic alerting that this is the intersection just ahead.

Thanks.

I simply ignore whatever pattern they have - until a while later when I ask myself "What pattern was that?" but inevitably can't remember.

If I knew in advance, I just might listen (feel?) out for a particular alert pattern.

Nonetheless, still useful as almost always the mere fact an alert occurs is sufficient. But the odd time on a more complicated junction it would have helped to be sure.

 

[chabig]

Here is a good description from https://www.cio.com/article/242788/apple-watch-how-to-understand-haptic-feedback-in-maps.html

1. Turn Left – The Apple Watch will tell you when you need to turn left by playing two taps three times in a row.

2. Turn Right – The Apple Watch will signal that it’s time to turn right by playing twelve steady taps on your wrist.

3. You’ve Arrived – The Apple Watch will also inform you that you’ve arrived at your destination by using a long vibration.

 

[polyphenol]

Here is a good description from https://www.cio.com/article/242788/apple-watch-how-to-understand-haptic-feedback-in-maps.html

1. Turn Left – The Apple Watch will tell you when you need to turn left by playing two taps three times in a row.

2. Turn Right – The Apple Watch will signal that it’s time to turn right by playing twelve steady taps on your wrist.

3. You’ve Arrived – The Apple Watch will also inform you that you’ve arrived at your destination by using a long vibration.

Thank you! Appreciated.

I thought someone, somewhere, must know what it does.

(I actually wish I could set navigation to automatically turn itself off, with no alerts, when I get within a certain distance of home - the most frequent place I arrive! I know the roads within, say, half a mile better than any sat nav system. )

 

[Duffman19]

I’ve noticed that at roundabouts, the watch only gives a generic vibration alert, similar to the “you have arrived” one. It does not give specifics left or right turn taps. I would guess this is due to any confusion that might occur for roundabouts with more than 4 exits, or the fact that you’re always turning right (or left, country dependent) out of the circle.