Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Chelleby

macrumors newbie
Sep 12, 2014
2
0
Hello,
Just looking for some very general advice on Apple Watch 7 as I have been thinking about getting one for a while.
I have however tried to stay away from using Siri as I am an oldtimer and feel stupid speaking into a device ;)

So I assume an Apple Watch without using Siri is generally speaking not a very bright idea?
Or is it possible to own an use an Apple Watch 7 constructively and practically with Siri switched off?
Any comments appreciated.
I have mine switched off and it doesn’t affected the way I use the watch nor it’s functionality - and if it does, you can easily turn it back on for short durations.
 

xraydoc

Contributor
Oct 9, 2005
11,033
5,493
192.168.1.1
Hello,
Just looking for some very general advice on Apple Watch 7 as I have been thinking about getting one for a while.
I have however tried to stay away from using Siri as I am an oldtimer and feel stupid speaking into a device ;)

So I assume an Apple Watch without using Siri is generally speaking not a very bright idea?
Or is it possible to own an use an Apple Watch 7 constructively and practically with Siri switched off?
Any comments appreciated.
Only time I use Siri through my watch is to ask it to turn lights on or off, or occasionally I'll ask it to set a timer. Otherwise not at all.
 

houser

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 29, 2006
401
529
Many thanks for all your kind replies. Must admit I am a tad surprised, as I was under the impression that Siri is absolutely central to the use of an AW. Many thanks again! Probably getting one this week ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tdude96

GlenK

macrumors 65816
Aug 1, 2013
1,473
932
St. Augustine, FL
I use Siri all the time. Simple questions, scores, trivia, reminders, music, search songs, webMD type stuff, and specially opening apps on the Apple Watch.
 

Duncan-UK

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2006
659
1,286
I'd never say "Hey Siri" outside of the house where people could see me - I'd be so embarrassed. It's a real failure not allowing different trigger words. English people just don't say "hey!" in that context.
 
  • Like
Reactions: circatee

andyw715

macrumors 68000
Oct 25, 2013
1,844
1,404
I'd never say "Hey Siri" outside of the house where people could see me - I'd be so embarrassed. It's a real failure not allowing different trigger words. English people just don't say "hey!" in that context.
For me, more annoying than having to say "hey siri" for handsfree operation is for some reason Siri appends "Hey" in front of my dictations in iMessage via Carplay
Me: "Send dad a text"
Siri: What would you like to say?
Me: "What time do you want me to pick you up?"
Siri: Your message says "Hey, what time do you want me to pick you up?" Ready to send?

Every.Single.Time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Duncan-UK

Duncan-UK

macrumors 6502a
Sep 17, 2006
659
1,286
Yep Siri is a dire system - just really stupid and unintuitive. Most of my interactions with it are via the HomePod and that is usually a deeply annoying experience.
 

klpribula93

macrumors regular
Jan 1, 2021
128
308
I dont use siri all the time, but I use siri to set a timer on my watch. I live in an apartment and we have an old oven that doesn't have a timer or a clock on it, so I would have to set a timer on my watch when I'm cooking. I'll also use the timer for my laundry. I'll ask siri for the weather sometimes, or some quick questions like "What day is St. Patrick's day?" or "what is the latest news right now?". I also have smart TVs so I'll ask siri to turn on my TVs for me when I'm washing my hands in the kitchen or if I'm doing something. I don't have homepods in my apartment. I'm Deaf and I need to be able to understand siri with a text translation, so I use my watch and phone for that since it can show me what Siri said. I use Google home hubs instead since it has a better accessibility feature to understand what is being said when I'm asking a question or telling google to do something for me. I really hope someday that Apple would create a Homepod with a display so I can read what siri said.
 

FreakinEurekan

macrumors 604
Sep 8, 2011
6,623
3,486
No need to “Turn it off,” just don’t use it. I’ll sometimes use Siri to “Put iced tea on the grocery list” or “Set a timer for 10 minutes,” it’s quicker than doing the same thing via the touchscreen. But most usage I don’t use voice. For example I’ll see an incoming text, and send a Tapback reply, or see an appointment notification, or see that there’s a package at the front door… basic stuff doesn’t need Siri.
 
  • Like
Reactions: addamas

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,860
5,761
For me, more annoying than having to say "hey siri" for handsfree operation is for some reason Siri appends "Hey" in front of my dictations in iMessage via Carplay
Me: "Send dad a text"
Siri: What would you like to say?
Me: "What time do you want me to pick you up?"
Siri: Your message says "Hey, what time do you want me to pick you up?" Ready to send?

Every.Single.Time.
That's bizarre. I wonder what causes that. When I send texts via CarPlay I've never heard that.
 

OldITGeek

macrumors member
Aug 2, 2012
63
32
Hello,
Just looking for some very general advice on Apple Watch 7 as I have been thinking about getting one for a while.
I have however tried to stay away from using Siri as I am an oldtimer and feel stupid speaking into a device ;)

So I assume an Apple Watch without using Siri is generally speaking not a very bright idea?
Or is it possible to own an use an Apple Watch 7 constructively and practically with Siri switched off?
Any comments appreciated.
I don't like to use siri, so it's turned off on all my devices, including my 2 watches.
 

GaryGnu

macrumors member
Nov 6, 2019
69
100
Same for me.

I do talk to my watch occasionally when I use it to answer a call, though. Feels a bit Dick Tracy-ish, if your memory goes back that far.
I've never talked to the watch, but, in case I do, it's named "iTracy" for just that reason.
 
  • Like
Reactions: houser

houser

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 29, 2006
401
529
Ok. I am grateful for your advice and am now using my new AW7...a bit daunting for an old guy and feels very "Jetson" ;) but I think I really like it...
I speak to Siri with the AW set to an Irish woman's voice when no one is looking and that kinda works for me ;)
Figuring out the overlap between it and the iPhone is the thing I guess and what to use for what...working on it..
 
  • Like
Reactions: BillGates1969

MisterSavage

macrumors 601
Nov 10, 2018
4,860
5,761
Figuring out the overlap between it and the iPhone is the thing I guess and what to use for what...working on it..
I didn't get a watch until the series 3 because it felt like almost everything the watch could do my iPhone could already do. My iPhone usage plummeted when I got my watch because it's just so much more quick/convenient to do many things with my watch (some of which are just glancing at it). Apple Pay via the watch is wonderful also.
 
  • Like
Reactions: houser
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.