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What changed the game for you?

tweaknmod

tweaknmod

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 13, 2012
529
1,823
Ottawa, Ontario
What app, feature, shortcut, etc. made you a fan of the Apple Watch?

I just got my first one, and I’m loving the ability to leave my phone in my locker while I work out, still accessing music and audiobooks on my AirPods.

The walkie-talkie is also great!

What made this more than a watch for you?

Edit: So many great points and perspectives! I love it!
 
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music
I can play 17 albums and can add more if needed.
meaning the watch killed the iPod.

the sleep app one is good as well
 
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AOD. I’m sorry to those who disagree but I wasn’t a fan of Watch until then. I think watch should be a watch primarily first and foremost. I should be able to glance at it without having to move and still know what time it is. I got my first watch as soon as  fixed that mistake.

I also love the Sleep and Cycle apps. And this year I adore the Medication app.
 
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Being able to text and take/make phone calls without my iPhone. Reading my email notifications is second.
 
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Originally the health aspects with HR monitoring. I have a heart condition and live alone. But after that I love everything about it. The peace of mind is still great but the other features make life easier. Siri, workout tracking, timers, and not having to take my phone everywhere are great.
 
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Tdude96 said:
For me the biggest feature is one I didn't even think about when I first bought an Apple Watch - freedom from my phone.
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This is my answer. Between the watch and my iPad, my phone gets no use unless I leave the house. Before this setup I had a Samsung phone and a Garmin Venu watch. It had some rudimentary smart watch functionality but nothing even close to what Apple's done with its integration. It's been a little more than a year since I got my first iPhone and I can't even imagine going back go Android now.
 
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Interesting question! Before the Apple Watch I collected a few rather nice mechanical watches. But once I bought my first Apple Watch they started collecting dust. Now I have been selling my mechanicals
one by one.

It was a combination of things that swayed me to the AW. First, the ability to edit watch faces was huge. I use features like Timer and Stopwatch almost daily. Checking outdoor temp too. And I would not discount the ability to easily change watch straps.

Took me years, but checking steps on a daily basis has helped too. My wife has a fitbit, so she can keep track too.

On my third AW so far. Just upgraded from a 5 to an Ultra2--even more fun. Even with AOD, using just 30% of the battery per typical day. (I do keep cellular off until needed)
 
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Just the ability to glance at notifications and track my exercise. I make 99% of my purchases via Apple Pay, so this is naturally done on my watch as it is quick and convenient. It makes shopping a lot less stressfull.

I turned AOD off as it ruins the battery in my experience, would be cool if they worked this out.

I still wear a mechanical watch when I want to wear a nice watch though for a special occasion.
 
Honestly I wasn't impressed initially and almost returned it in the first week. It grew on me slowly. The thing that got me first was the stand alerts. I had no idea I was going so long without getting up when I was focused on work. I thought they were an error initially. Once I saw how convenient Apple Pay on the watch was I was absolutely hooked.

JBaby said:
AOD. I’m sorry to those who disagree but I wasn’t a fan of Watch until then. I think watch should be a watch primarily first and foremost. I should be able to glance at it without having to move and still know what time it is. I got my first watch as soon as  fixed that mistake.
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I have actually had people on here argue that it's not any more convenient having a watch with AOD. o_O Maybe for you but I glance at my watch all the time throughout the day without moving my wrist.
 
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I am usually a very lazy person and my job requires me to sit all day on a desk. Some people might think I'm crazy but, the Fitness app goals, specifically the Stand goal is just a game changer for me. When I get focused in my work, I tend to forget to stretch and stand for a bit, which is a must for keeping my body in shape and my back. So yea, the "Stand" feature.
 
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Ultra and battery life it has. I now do sleep tracking and I got terrible sleep habits. So now I have more awareness of my stress level and lack of sleep. I was averaging 5hrs and I’m upping it to 6hrs. Hopefully to up it to 7 hrs eventually. Little changes lead to big long term changes. Also I know when I’m in shape when my heart rate at night is under 40. When I didn’t work out for a year my heart rate was 45 to 50. But long cycling rides have led me to drop my resting heart rate. Note I’ve had my heart check ecg by the doctor. I’m healthy.
 
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Apple pay, calls, answearing all across all messaging apps, having cellular (beside non existing camera) i can free myself from phone when i'm out.
Sleep mode, fitness tracking, health sensors.
For me Apple watch is must have pair with Iphone. The system benefits show their full potential with both device paired.
 
MisterSavage said:
I have actually had people on here argue that it's not any more convenient having a watch with AOD. o_O Maybe for you but I glance at my watch all the time throughout the day without moving my wrist.
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I’ve seen people make those same comments. I don’t get it. I always thought the watch looked stupid just being a black square on people’s wrist. I still feel that way for people who have the old watches. I constantly glance at my watch too many times to count in a day.
 
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I think the pebble watch sold me on the utility of having notifications pushed to my wrist, so I didn't have to keep taking my phone out to see who it was from. At the same time, its limitations also made it painfully obvious that Apple would have to make their own smartwatch in order to get around the drawbacks of not being integrated with the Apple ecosystem (such as having interactive notifications).

For me, I use it mainly for notifications, Apple Pay, Siri, some simple apps (like viewing selected passwords via 1password), and music controls. Fitness tracking, not so much, except that it ties in with the Lumihealth app which lets me exercise to earn points for cash vouchers.

On and off, there are also some minor conveniences like unlocking my Mac, having a mini-flashlight handy or being able to unlock my phone during the pandemic when we were all wearing masks. Just nice having all these functionality readily accessible from my wrist.
 
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Abazigal said:
On and off, there are also some minor conveniences like unlocking my Mac, having a mini-flashlight handy or being able to unlock my phone during the pandemic when we were all wearing masks. Just nice having all these functionality readily accessible from my wrist.
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I forgot unlocking when wearing a mask! I still mask up everywhere I go because both my Mom and I are immunosuppressed. That feature is really, really good!
 
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