I definitely have to add a vote for WorkOutDoors. Its main support system is a forum here on MacRumors, and Ian (the developer) is very responsive there. I would never expect Apple to offer an app of this sort; there are waaaaay too many knobs and dials and buttons and switches for what they do. But that’s why we need third-party apps in general, and the point of this particular one; you can think of it as your own development system for activities. Whatever random sort of activity you might want to do that involves the watch tracking you, guiding you, or some combination … you can get WorkOutDoors to give you exactly what you want, no more and no less. Might take a bit of fiddling to dial everything in, but, once done, it’s a perfect custom fit. (With every feature you could imagine, including voice prompts for what activity to do and the remaining time, or terrain maps showing you your planned route, every metric you can imagine large or small on the display … it’s not just the kitchen sink, it’s the whole damned food court.)
Another worth mentioning is AnyList. For when you’re going grocery shopping or when you’re in the kitchen with your hands full and don’t want to forget that you’re low on olive oil, the watch app is perfect; no need to reach for the phone. The phone app is also great … I mostly don’t use recipes when I’m actively cooking, but, when I do, the phone often gets dusted in flower or smudged with butter.
I only have two other third-party apps on the watch: NightSky, which is great for “What’s that bright light that’s not moving?” and one to control my hearing aids … the latter works, but must be within range of the phone and often needs several seconds to reestablish the connection. I grumble at it most times I use it.
(And, though there’s no app, the University’s 2FA system will pop up a confirmation prompt on the watch if the phone is nearby. It’s more convenient than reaching for the phone, which may well be in a backpack … but I would much prefer if it didn’t even need the phone at all.)
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