Resolved Looking for honest opinion/review

[Ludatyk]

Never owned an iPhone before the 4s so no idea how that was

With you coming from a 4s... Introduced Siri to the masses. It was pretty much matured up to that point.

I had bought the 1st gen iPhone & I was coming from a Blackberry which was eye opening from me. But with the Apple Watch it's not an eye opening experience it's more of a new experience.

This is new territory for Apple... Same was with the iPhone, I honestly don't think they know what direction they plan on taking with it. But for a 1st gen product I'll say compared to the iPhone or even the iPad.. It has held its own.

 

[sean000]

I did the same exact thing. I don't feel like it is worth it until they speed up apps and make them so they won't crash the watch.

Apps crashed your watch? In the eight months or so I've been wearing my watch, I think it has crashed only once. Maybe twice. My iPhone 6 has crashed slightly more often than that. I have had individual apps crash or simply refuse to load or update, but that has not been an issue for me in months... Although long ago I weeded out the apps that were not performing well and replaced them with ones that do. OS and app updates have increased performance dramatically compared to where things were at six months ago. Even this most recent update has made my watch feel snappier... to the point where I rarely feel annoyed by lag. Maybe it's a matter of tolerance. If it takes a few seconds for an app to load, it doesn't bother me. That still beats getting my iphone out just to check the weather or my calendar. And between complications and glances I don't load apps that often anyway. Don't get me wrong... I look forward to future performance improvements (would much rather Apple focus on that instead of on making the watch thinner), but even last Summer I felt like the watch offered more convenience than frustration.

Sean

 

[xraydoc]

Never owned an iPhone before the 4s so no idea how that was

No 3rd party apps. No cut/paste. No MMS. All notifications popped up in the middle of the screen and required a button press to cancel or open. Positively primitive by today's standards. But was still the best at the time.

 

[npolly0212]

The few apps i

Apps crashed your watch? In the eight months or so I've been wearing my watch, I think it has crashed only once. Maybe twice. My iPhone 6 has crashed slightly more often than that. I have had individual apps crash or simply refuse to load or update, but that has not been an issue for me in months... Although long ago I weeded out the apps that were not performing well and replaced them with ones that do. OS and app updates have increased performance dramatically compared to where things were at six months ago. Even this most recent update has made my watch feel snappier... to the point where I rarely feel annoyed by lag. Maybe it's a matter of tolerance. If it takes a few seconds for an app to load, it doesn't bother me. That still beats getting my iphone out just to check the weather or my calendar. And between complications and glances I don't load apps that often anyway. Don't get me wrong... I look forward to future performance improvements (would much rather Apple focus on that instead of on making the watch thinner), but even last Summer I felt like the watch offered more convenience than frustration.

Sean

The few apps I downloaded would crash and I just wasn't an overall fan of it.
The exercising info would not work sometimes
Just all around not worth 300+

 

[BarracksSi]

It look me a little while last night to figure out the workflow for notifications for email and text and I don't like it, at least its not optimal. I would want the option for notification to go to both by phone and watch and control the interaction but in order to get notification on the watch it has to be on your wrist and the iphone turned off. For numerous reasons I don't like that. I know you can disable functionality to facilitate that but I am not a fan.

This shouldn't be the case.

Apple's plan for notifications is to give first priority to the iCloud-connected device you're using at the moment. If you're doing something on your phone, then you won't get the same notification from your watch, tablet, and laptop and desktop all at the same time.

One of my friends was texting me about his new AW, and during our conversation, he asked why my replies weren't coming through on his watch. I told him to set down his phone while I sent a couple more texts, which then popped up on his AW.

 

[sean000]

With you coming from a 4s... Introduced Siri to the masses. It was pretty much matured up to that point.

I had bought the 1st gen iPhone & I was coming from a Blackberry which was eye opening from me. But with the Apple Watch it's not an eye opening experience it's more of a new experience.

This is new territory for Apple... Same was with the iPhone, I honestly don't think they know what direction they plan on taking with it. But for a 1st gen product I'll say compared to the iPhone or even the iPad.. It has held its own.

I went from a Blackberry and a Palm Tungsten (two devices because my work provided Blackberry didn't offer much for apps) to the iPhone 3G. Even the 3G felt a bit beta compared to later models running newer iOS versions, but after using Palm OS since 1999 the combination of cell phone, apps (including some of my favorites from the Palm OS ecosystem), and a much better Web browsing experience (thanks to pinching and pulling to zoom), made the 3G feel groundbreaking and exciting to me. While the iPhone and iOS have come a long way since then, I still feel like the 3G was a great device for its time. I'm glad that I had one and that I did not wait for the iPhone 4 or 5. I feel the same about the watch. I'm sure future versions will be even better, but I think it's already a fantastic device.

Sean

 

[tom504]

This shouldn't be the case.

Apple's plan for notifications is to give first priority to the iCloud-connected device you're using at the moment. If you're doing something on your phone, then you won't get the same notification from your watch, tablet, and laptop and desktop all at the same time.

One of my friends was texting me about his new AW, and during our conversation, he asked why my replies weren't coming through on his watch. I told him to set down his phone while I sent a couple more texts, which then popped up on his AW.

I thought that is what I was trying to say. Android wear hits all the text enabled devices. Sometimes I'm on my phone typing something out and don't want to get out of it and would like to check the text on my watch

 

[BarracksSi]

I thought that is what I was trying to say. Android wear hits all the text enabled devices. Sometimes I'm on my phone typing something out and don't want to get out of it and would like to check the text on my watch

It'll eventually go to the watch if you ignore it on the phone.

But that's what the banners on the phone are for, too. When a text comes in as a banner at the top of the screen, pull the banner down and you can type your response, then it slides up and out after you hit Reply. Or you can just ignore it, too.

 

[xraydoc]

I thought that is what I was trying to say. Android wear hits all the text enabled devices. Sometimes I'm on my phone typing something out and don't want to get out of it and would like to check the text on my watch

Apple's use model is different. If your iPhone screen is on, notifications won't go to the watch. If your iPad or Mac is on, notifications will still go to the watch. If you answer a text, it will be dismissed on the other devices as well. May not be the case for other notifications depending on the app.

 

[tom504]

Apple's use model is different. If your iPhone screen is on, notifications won't go to the watch. If your iPad or Mac is on, notifications will still go to the watch. If you answer a text, it will be dismissed on the other devices as well. May not be the case for other notifications depending on the app.

Yes you are correct. I just tested from my iPad using http://www.textem.net/index.php and got it on the iPad and watch.

 

[caligurl]

i'll just say: i LOVE my apple watch. i love it so much that i just bought a 2nd apple watch! (i originally ordered space gray sport on preorder night and just bought a rose gold after the price drop)

 

[swarlos]

It's a first gen product.

In this current state of technology we have been spoiled. Have you all forgotten how the 1st gen iPhone was... It wasn't peaches and cream. It's best to take the Apple Watch for what it is... It's a watch first and foremost. The iPhone was pretty much a phone first and foremost.

What were you guys expecting? For it to read your mind from the wrist. I understand it has its limitation, it's only so much it can do in its current form. The 1st gen iPhone didn't even have a AppStore, heck... Safari was ridiculously slow.

This is a very good perspective to have on it! I completely agree and just like with each iteration of the iPhone after the first it got better and better I'm only assuming the same will happen for the Watch.

Even Google with Android Wear doesn't know what they want this category to be entirely yet. It's still a very new category.

 

[craigd]

craigd, which bracelet is in your pic?

It's a Click Bracelet and adaptor by SevenSixteen it's a Kickstarter I backed.

I also have adapters so I can add any generic band.

 

[Hankkk]

So like above, would you say that 'convenience' is the biggest selling point?

Yes, I think 'convenience' is a major selling point. I think there are basically two selling points for the Apple Watch: One being more of a functional point (=convenience) and one being more lifestyle orientated (=Apple Watch as a fashion item).

Convenience sums up the functionality of the Apple Watch quite nicely in my opinion: There is not really anything the device could do that you cannot do with your other devices as well, but it makes some things easier and nicer. The subtle notifications with the Taptic Engine are such a great way of keeping up with anything that goes on on your iPhone and you can decide at a glance whether a notification is worth interacting or not. The watch faces with complications are awesome to quickly catch up on your schedule and next appointments, especially with the time travel functionality.

I know these use cases are not exactly mind blowing or revolutionary but in my opinion they show how the Apple Watch can improve your daily interaction with technology. It lets you access many functions in situations where you cannot use your phone, for example when you're on the run, when you're driving your car or when you're in an important meeting.

It also helps to reduce the amount of interaction with technology which is a bit contradictory because normally you'd think having a device tied to your body would further increase your tech use instead of decreasing it. But, as far as my experiences go, it really does: Normally, I'd get a notification, pull out my phone, check out the notification, in 7 out of 10 cases realize that the notification is not important or worth interacting at all. Plus in many cases, once I pulled my phone out, I would not put it back in my pocket immediately but get distracted by something else and keep on (pointlessly) using it for a few more minutes. The Apple Watch changed that: With notifications on my wrist I could take a glance at it once they came in and immediately see how important they were. That enabled me to either interact directly from the watch, pull my phone out or simply dismiss it. That way I'd only pull my phone out once I really had something to do with it and that was really refreshing to me. It was less disturbing in social interactions (e.g. not having to constantly pull out your phone to check on notifications when your with friends) and that was really nice to me.

Another great example is the fitness functionality: As I already mentioned in my previous post, the Apple Watch is really great to conveniently keep track of your activities and especially a great motivation to reach your daily goals. It may not be a powerful item for professional athletes, but for averagely active persons it has some awesome features. The activity rings would motivate me to be more active and reach my set goals everyday. While that wasn't that much, it really made a difference and I recognized that it had an impact on my habits - for example taking the stairs instead of the elevator to fill your rings.

Also, you said you 'had an Watch' can you elaborate on why you got rid of it? Thank you for your reply.

Sure. I got the Apple Watch when it was first released last spring. I would have gotten the stainless steel version but I didn't want to invest that amount of money. That's why I got an Apple Watch Sport in Space Grey with a black sport band.

The problem was that I had some quality issues with my black sport band. After only a few hours of wearing it at the office it looked as if it had been worn for months. There were shiny spots all over the band and it looked awful, there was also a small scuff on the case of the watch right from the beginning. That's why I contacted Apple and had it swapped.

I had no problems with any scuffs on the case with my new device but the band started to wear off after a few hours again. Apple offered me to get another band, but because I had the 38mm there were no other bands that I could've used except for the sports band. They also offered me a refund and I ultimately decided to take the offer because I knew the band wearing off so quickly, while probably not being a huge issue to many people, would just bother me too much and that spending that amount of money for a device that is mainly a fashion item but still has those visual imperfections was just not reasonable to me.

All in all, you could say it was just a quality issue and a lack of alternatives.

That being said, I have been missing the functions ever since and I am currently considering to buy a new watch now that there are some more style alternatives for the Apple Watch Sport!

 

[Laserducky]

So I am looking for an honest opinion/review of the Watch. I know the capabilities, I have read the reviews (by all the major tech websites), and watched all the reviews on YouTube. But none of these really answer the questions (and maybe problems) I have about the Watch. Let me start off with a short story that sort explains why I am even asking.

So, my best friend was hanging out with one of his friends who bought an Watch. Well my friend loved it, and bought one. Well now, my best friend is trying to get me to buy one. I told him, If he could 'Sell it to me' I would buy one. For the most part, everyone I have talked to loves it. However, the only reason my best friend gave me was, 'Because I like it, and its cool'....sigh.... So the problems/questions I have with the Watch.

First, and the hardest selling point to me has to do with comfort. I personally I am not really a fan of watches, for multiple reasons, but the biggest is that I really don't like wearing things on my hands or wrists (I am little weird in this regard). Even if I am wearing a sweatshirt or long sleeve shirt I always roll up the sleeves. So 1) is the Watch comfortable?

The next question on my mind is fitness, in particular playing drums (only drummers with an Watch need answer). I am not the most fitness conscious person, however I do walk my dog 5 miles everyday, and play drums almost daily (when I have time). So, 2) is it okay/comfortable to play drums with an Watch on? (EI. Will it damage it, is it to heavy, will it track fitness)

The final question, it is kind of open ended. So my second issue with watches, is that I am kind of a minimalist, so I see watches as doing nothing my phone can't. I challenge you with my final question to change my mind on that. So, 3) what value does the Watch add to the iPhone? (EI. what do it do the iPhone can't, what does it add to the iPhone experience)

I have already thought (If I decide) of which one I would get, and even found where I would buy it from. I would get a Watch Sport Space Grey. I would also buy an orange (my favorite color) Watch sport band, and do a sort of mismatch, where I keep one side black and the other orange. And would probably use the X-Large face (I am a minimalist) in orange to match the band.

View attachment 625680

So do your best, and try to convince me (you can also try to dissuade me but I am already kind of there). If anything please answer the three questions I have. Also I know the Watch2 is around the corner, so don't try to convince me to wait.

If you need someone to 'sell' the thought of buying something, to you, then you may not be ready to buy it. People who were much more excited and impassioned about the Apple watch have returned it for various reasons.

Cheers !

 

[BlueMoon63]

If you need someone to 'sell' the thought of buying something, to you, then you may not be ready to buy it. People who were much more excited and impassioned about the Apple watch have returned it for various reasons.

Cheers !

Agreed. The Apple Watch is tops in quality but it is definitely not a need like the iPhone. It might not ever be a need either. I don't have issues with speed at all. The HR works perfectly for me 24x7 as I wear it for sleep as well.

If you think the watch will replace the iPhone, you will return it. It will never replace the iPhone. Just too small of a display and no one will be holding their arm up to do long term items.

Add independent Wi-Fi so you can connect to any without your iPhone knowing and it will do more than enough to be independent. Stop thinking of the watch as a comparison to the iPhone. Stop thinking how the Apple Watch compares to a traditional watch.

 

[BarracksSi]

If you think the watch will replace the iPhone, you will return it. It will never replace the iPhone. Just too small of a display and no one will be holding their arm up to do long term items.

Another +1 to this.

I don't know why some people expect the AW to do everything their phone does. They don't expect their phones to do everything their tablets, laptops, or desktops can do, right?

 

[BlueMoon63]

Another +1 to this.

I don't know why some people expect the AW to do everything their phone does. They don't expect their phones to do everything their tablets, laptops, or desktops can do, right?

Amen!

 

[parseckadet]

Another +1 to this.

I don't know why some people expect the AW to do everything their phone does. They don't expect their phones to do everything their tablets, laptops, or desktops can do, right?

Amen!

I'll third this sentiment. People who look at the Apple Watch's features and say "but is that really worth $300," don't really get the point. Look at a Rolex. The cheapest ones start around $8k and all they do is tell the time, the most basic ones don't even have the date on them. There's clearly more to those than just a feature list.

Saying the Apple Watch makes things more convenient, while an accurate statement, undersells the impact on how you do things. What is a cell phone, after all, if not a more convenient land line phone? Do you really NEED to have access to a phone everywhere you are? After all, people got along just fine without them for generations.

While writing this post I just had an entire text message conversation with my wife while my phone was in the other room. It would have been a hassle to get up, walk across the house, grab the phone, respond, and come back to my desk. I would have surely lost my train of thought. The same sorts of situations occur for me numerous times throughout the day. I find this especially valuable while working. Context switching can end up costing me several minutes when I return to my original task. So I would either ignore the text and be left wondering if it was something vital, or just have to pay the price. Now that is no longer an issue, and the impact of this adds up quickly each and every day.

 

[anybutbush]

For me one of the most useful and brilliant feature is using it while driving, hands free and without having to look at it. If you spend a fair amount of time in a car, having AW to communicate while watching the road at all times is so excellent. "Hey, Siri text ___". No problem, most of the time.

 

[Laserducky]

For me one of the most useful and brilliant feature is using it while driving, hands free and without having to look at it. If you spend a fair amount of time in a car, having AW to communicate while watching the road at all times is so excellent. "Hey, Siri text ___". No problem, most of the time.

I get what you are saying but even the phone's Hey Siri feature could do this. Of course, if your phone's deep inside your phone/bag then it won't work.

Cheers !

 

[sean000]

I get what you are saying but even the phone's Hey Siri feature could do this. Of course, if your phone's deep inside your phone/bag then it won't work.

Cheers !

That's usually the problem with me. I commute by bicycle and my iphone is usually in the handlebar bag. I frequently remember stuff I'm supposed to do while biking to or from work, so I can just raise my wrist to ask Siri to set a reminder. I just wish she would be ready as soon as I say "Hey Siri!"

Update on 4/25/16: Siri has worked consistently for me since the latest update, but I learned not to pause after "Hey Siri." Pausing to wait until Siri appears on the watch face seems to confuse Siri. If I raise my wrist so the watch face appears, say "hey Siri, do this..." and lower my wrist it works consistently.

Sean

 

[Alameda]

Only way to really know is buy one and try it. You got two weeks to decide. Words can not tell, only wearing can.

The AW is not for everyone but is a nice piece of hardware.

That's something I love about Apple products: They don't cram every possible feature into the product. But the trade-off is that the features they do offer are very well-designed and functional.

Samsung put NFC into their phones long before Apple did. But when Apple put NFC into their phones, they named it ApplePay, and made NFC useful.