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What changed the game for you?
- Thread starter tweaknmod
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Yup. I find that useful too. Same deal here in terms of immunosuppressed and it came in handy a couple of days ago.
I'm trying to think back to when I first got the Series 4 (my first Apple Watch).
At that time, I had been using Garmin watches for over a decade (since early 2000s). I think my last Garmin watch was a Forerunner 630 or something like that and I think this was maybe around 2015 or 2016? Anyhow, I would use the Garmin to track my exercise (primarily running with some biking) and meanwhile the iPhone would be tracking my steps and things like that. I didn't care, at that time, for tracking my daily steps (I still don't care that much) and estimated distance covered (I care more about that or I'm more interested in that). At that time, the Garmin and the iPhone didn't sync up very well. I believe the Garmin platform did not import distances or steps tracked by the iPhone and there wasn't a native way to get Apple Health to sync up information with exercises recorded by Garmin (I may be misremembering some details but there was something not quite as smooth about getting these two things -- Garmin and Apple -- synced up; and I did use RunGap app).
Anyhow, when the Series 4 came out, it has just about all the features that I needed that I had been using the Garmin for in this time of my life. I say that because I used to be a competitive middle-distance runner and if I were still one when I started using the Series 4, I would have been really frustrated with it. More about that later.
Anyhow, around this time, my Garmin 630 broke (wouldn't lock on to satellites any more which meant that it could only track distances using a footpod, which I did also use if I am running on a treadmill). This was my inflection point: do I buy another Garmin or switch over to the Series 4 for better overall ecosystem togetherness/congealing?
I decided to ditch Garmin and go with the Series 4. The fact that it better integrated with my other activity records (e.g., iPhone tracking) was very useful for me.
About how the Series 4 would have frustrated me if I were still a competitive runner: the Series 4 like all Apple Watches except for the Ultra, requires the user to use the touchscreen to indicate a lap or segment. When you are running very fast, or doing repeated track workouts, it is extremely difficult to get the touchscreen to appropriately register your tap. It could be because your finger is jiggling all around, or that you have clamy hands/fingers, etc. It is super unreliable. In my competitive days, I would do track workouts twice a week and needing to record my segments would be impossible or at best highly inaccurate on the Series 4. The Ultra solves that problem by adding a third button (Action button) that can be used to mark segments.
For me, the upgrade to the Ultra really makes this Apple Watch now fully functioning in the way I would need it to if I were competing again. And actually, in the past couple of years I took back up training on the track so that Action button is super necessary (not just useful).
In sum: you could say it was the overall better integration with Apple's activity recording/storing app and finally the Action button that really made me never look back to another activity watch again. And yeah, in other threads, I have noted that just to pay $800 to get an Action button is really super expensive for that and monetarily not worth it, but worth it in other ways. I don't think I can use any other Apple watch that doesn't have the Action button which means nothing but the Ultra series for me from now on.
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I'll second the AOD feature. Last thing I wanted is some black screen strapped to my wrist. For me watches are as much aesthetic as it is function.
Before AOD all it looked like was those large calculator watches of the 80's
Since AOD, I think the ability to leave my phone at home or in the car is the winner.
The phone camera and the ability to read books is usually the only reason I need to carry my phone around with me all the time.
Before AOD all it looked like was those large calculator watches of the 80's
Since AOD, I think the ability to leave my phone at home or in the car is the winner.
The phone camera and the ability to read books is usually the only reason I need to carry my phone around with me all the time.
It is a shame the AOD has such a detrimental effect on the battery health though. I had to turn AOD off after the first year owning my Series 5 as I could not get the watch to last past 7pm. The health was down to 85% and suddenly after turning it off, the watch lasts until I go to bed and the plummeting health has slowed significantly. I'd love to be able to say mine is an isolated case, but several people I know with Apple watches have had to take the same measures due to battery issues with this feature. Apple may have solved these issues by now, but hadn't a couple of years back from what I understand.
AOD is a nice to have feature, but the display comes on anyway with minimal wrist movement when it is turned off, so I haven't missed it too much in 3 years personally. This probably isn't even an issue for those getting a new Apple Watch every year though, not that I am interested in doing that myself.
I wonder what was causing that for you. I've had more than one watch with AoD. I've never turned it off or turned off raise to wake either and I have plenty of battery when I put my watch on the charge before I go to bed. That's also with at least one 30-40 minute workout a day.
Yeah I never experienced ill effects from AOD.
I had S5,6,7 and would do 3 workouts (30 min) a day listening to audiobooks, cellular on. I would get 16-18 hours of battery life.
Since then I got Ultra 1/2 and get right around 48hours
The Pebble was the gateway drug for me, so I was more than pleased when Apple announced the Apple Watch. It addressed all of the shortcomings of the Pebble and added a ton more functionality. When the AW finally became available for sale, I was already sold.
I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite app; it’s the combination of apps, and the integration with my phone, AirPods, and Mac Mini, that make the Apple Watch my favorite bit of tech.
My most-oft-used AW functions are notifications, quick replies to texts, shopping lists using Reminders, audibly locating my iPhone when I misplace it, weather at a glance, exercise tracking (including reminding me to stand up), Apple Pay, flashlight, timers, and calendar. There are, of course others, but I use those only occasionally. No doubt there are others that I would like but have yet to discover.
Edit to add:
Directions from Maps on my wrist.
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You should have seen my Aunt's face this Thanksgiving when I mentioned how handy the flashlight is. She had no idea that her watch could do that!
Biggest benefit to me is directions on my wrist which is great even when walking, and music control on my wrist while driving. Apple Pay would be silly if I had to take out my phone for it, but genius on the wrist.
That’s great! It is surprising how useful it is!
I purchased the AW SE at launch hoping it would help with fitness and weight loss.
It most certainly did. Never been as fit and healthy.
Other great feature
It most certainly did. Never been as fit and healthy.
Other great feature
- Apple Pay. Never used it on my iPhone. Use it all the time on my AW.
- Unlocking my MacMini. Very convenient.
- Reading messages in meetings or when on the move.
- Torch feature is handy at times. I live in the country and it’s pitch black outside.
- Calling people on the move.
- Directions when on foot.
- Listening to music and skipping tracks etc.
GPS & Cellular were the big ones for me. I wanted an Apple Watch for running since they came out, but the original didn't have GPS. I got a Series 3 when they came out & have loved it ever since. I still remember the time I was on a day off, but we had a work call about a newly launched product. I was able to save the event to my calendar, along with call in details, and take a 10 minute break from my run to take the call directly from my watch, no phone needed. It felt almost magical at the time.
While I use it for a lot nowadays, those two features are what got me excited for the watch.
While I use it for a lot nowadays, those two features are what got me excited for the watch.
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I got my first AW to replace a FitBit because I really loved getting notifications on my wrist so I wasn’t quite as tethered to my phone. Once I actually started using the AW, the thing that had been a game changer are the silent haptic alarms. I have ADHD and literally forget to eat when I get into hyperfocus; day-to-day activities or regular push notification reminders don’t stand a chance of being effective. I have alarms on my watch for SO many daily/weekly routines or meetings and it’s a total lifesaver. Plus one-off alarms for cooking, random work meetings, leaving for appointments… you name it, I’ve set an alarm for it.
I’ve also been listening to audiobooks a lot more and combined with Bluetooth headphones, I love being able to wander around my apartment cleaning & listening to my book but still able to skip, pause, change volume, etc.
I’ve also been listening to audiobooks a lot more and combined with Bluetooth headphones, I love being able to wander around my apartment cleaning & listening to my book but still able to skip, pause, change volume, etc.
This was really cool to learn/read - thanks for sharing!
After some years of AW with series 2 sport and series 4 stainless, I went back to normal watches, falling in love for mechanical. From Easter 2021 I use a mechanical on my left wrist (before a Orient Kamasu, since February 2022 a Rolex Submariner). Recently I started with running and I decided to bring back AW more, ending with my Sub on the left and my new Ultra 2 on the right.
Why that? Because I want back notifications on my wrist (heavy comfortable when I’m on call and for familiar reasons), silent alarms, timers, reminders, health data and apple pay. All of this without loos the possibility to check the time on my beautiful Sub 😍
Why that? Because I want back notifications on my wrist (heavy comfortable when I’m on call and for familiar reasons), silent alarms, timers, reminders, health data and apple pay. All of this without loos the possibility to check the time on my beautiful Sub 😍
For me, the biggest seller on an AW is the haptic alarm. My whole life I’ve been that person who literally wakes up a minute or two before the alarm goes off because I can’t stand the sudden sound of an alarm waking me up. Sometimes, my body would wake up in the middle of the night a couple of times because it just wants to make sure it’s up before the alarm. Really is a drag. With the haptic alarm, I sleep like a baby and can’t even begin to explain how much better my sleeping is through the night now. No more worrying about waking up before an alarm suddenly starts blaring, I just get a gentle and relaxing buzzing to my wrist. My mind completely at ease at night. I know it probably sounds ridiculous but it really is a game changer for my life.
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Do you know how to Harry Potter the flashlight? Say “Siri, Lumos” to turn it on, and “Siri, Nox” to turn it off. Saves a couple of syllables instead of saying “Siri, flashlight” 🙃
What changed for me?
For me, obviously IMHO, the design of the AW Ultra.
I have a chequered history with the Apple Watch.
I am a vintage mechanical watch owner — I love them. My favourite is a 1914 solid silver trench watch and it still ticks away… a 1900 Victorian pocket watch… I love their tactileness, the weight, the ticking sounds loud enough to hear at night.
By comparison the Apple Watch always felt dull and lifeless — even though I could control a large part of my digital life with it.
It is the product I would love to love and yet always ended up returning.
Original Apple Watch, then an SE 1…
Tried again with a AW6…
Anyway. Yesterday I had my AW Ultra 2 delivered. (Can't beat those Amazon deals! 🥴)
I hope it will be the clincher.
There is a premium leather band from Bandwerk on the way and right now I have it with an Alpine loop in Green — it feels — finally! — like the business. I just never got on with the aesthetics of the big black glass lump — especially without AOD.
So here's hoping I'm going to stick this landing! Finally.
👍
For me, obviously IMHO, the design of the AW Ultra.
I have a chequered history with the Apple Watch.
I am a vintage mechanical watch owner — I love them. My favourite is a 1914 solid silver trench watch and it still ticks away… a 1900 Victorian pocket watch… I love their tactileness, the weight, the ticking sounds loud enough to hear at night.
By comparison the Apple Watch always felt dull and lifeless — even though I could control a large part of my digital life with it.
It is the product I would love to love and yet always ended up returning.
Original Apple Watch, then an SE 1…
Tried again with a AW6…
Anyway. Yesterday I had my AW Ultra 2 delivered. (Can't beat those Amazon deals! 🥴)
I hope it will be the clincher.
There is a premium leather band from Bandwerk on the way and right now I have it with an Alpine loop in Green — it feels — finally! — like the business. I just never got on with the aesthetics of the big black glass lump — especially without AOD.
So here's hoping I'm going to stick this landing! Finally.
👍
I bought it acknowledging that it was a 'toy', a luxury item I didn't need. But the Fitness app helped motivate me to move more (I'm already fairly active, but it was another little kick), and I love the 'reward' of achieving daily goals. The Swimming feature was the most useful, although the recent addition of the cycling computer for the iPhone thing is quite good too. The most surprising app has been Apple Pay; I was very dubious and wary of such things, but it's been transformative. I haven't carried any cards now for well over a year I think. Works on London Transport's Oyster scheme too, so a really useful feature. Don't have to fumble around getting my 'phone out.
Very handy if on a bike ride and I want to keep going.
The ability to set a different face for whatever outfit/mood you're in is well boss. Daytona? Or Mickey Mouse? Beautiful butterflies or Jellyfish? Marvellous.
The flashlight feature is far more useful than you'd think. As for being surprised at a feature I didn't know it could do; being able to answer calls without having my 'phone near me. That was a major (and very pleasant) surprise the first time it happened.
Very handy if on a bike ride and I want to keep going.The ability to set a different face for whatever outfit/mood you're in is well boss. Daytona? Or Mickey Mouse? Beautiful butterflies or Jellyfish? Marvellous.
As for being surprised at a feature I didn't know it could do; being able to answer calls without having my 'phone near me. That was a major (and very pleasant) surprise the first time it happened.
I was shocked at how far away I could be from my phone and still answer a call on my watch. At work I'm not on WiFi and can be pretty far from my desk and still have my watch detect a call when my phone is still at my desk.