What features would you miss, if you stopped using an Apple Watch?

[The Cockney Rebel]

Myself:

Notifications:

From reminders, to calendar events, to WhatsApp messages (which I reply to, by simply tapping my thumb and forefinger together).

Call screening:

When my watch notifies me of an incoming call, I can choose to ignore it (silencing it, by placing my hand over the screen) or take the call.

Sleep tracking:

Although maybe not 100% accurate, I get a rough idea of how much sleep I get per night.

Medication:

My watch has got me into a routine, whereby I am now taking my medication at set times.

Photos complication:

This was a £0.99 paid for app, which lets me keep a photo of my late grandmother of my watch face, at all times.

Weather complication:

I sometimes have the conditions complication on my watch face, which gives me an idea of how the day is going to be.

————————————

I’m sure there are other things I’d miss, but these are the top use cases for me.

I’d love to hear of your own uses for your Apple Watch.

One thing is for sure: I’m at the point where I’d now miss it, if I never had it.

 

[russell_314]

Notifications. Sometimes I don’t notice my phone vibrating but the watch catches my attention. I have some calls I don’t want to miss.

Activity tracking. It gives me an idea if I’m being more or less active than usual.

Fall detection. I’ve done maintenance tasks on a ladder by myself where the watch gave me peace of mind that if I fell it would call for help if I was incapacitated or worse. I don’t want to be found days later because someone complained about the smell 😂

Finally as a watch to see the time and date.

 

[jz0309]

Myself:

Notifications:

From reminders, to calendar events, to WhatsApp messages (which I reply to, by simply tapping my thumb and forefinger together).

Call screening:

When my watch notifies me of an incoming call, I can choose to ignore it (silencing it, by placing my hand over the screen) or take the call.

Sleep tracking:

Although maybe not 100% accurate, I get a rough idea of how much sleep I get per night.

Medication:

My watch has got me into a routine, whereby I am now taking my medication at set times.

Photos complication:

This was a £0.99 paid for app, which lets me keep a photo of my late grandmother of my watch face, at all times.

Weather complication:

I sometimes have the conditions complication on my watch face, which gives me an idea of how the day is going to be.

————————————

I’m sure there are other things I’d miss, but these are the top use cases for me.

I’d love to hear of your own uses for your Apple Watch.

One thing is for sure: I’m at the point where I’d now miss it, if I never had it.

I think you've asked that question before, when you were considering the Cartier (?) watch, so I will keep my answer simple: every feature with the exception of smart stack, and maybe double-tap which I rarely use.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I think you've asked that question before, when you were considering the Cartier (?) watch, so I will keep my answer simple: every feature with the exception of smart stack, and maybe double-tap which I rarely use.

Hello mate.

I don’t recall asking that?

Thanks for the reply 👍🏼.

 

[jz0309]

Hello mate.

I don’t recall asking that?

Thanks for the reply 👍🏼.

somehow I have a thread like this in my head, but could be wrong of course

Hope you're doing well and keeping up with life!

 

[xxFoxtail]

I know I’ve said it a few times here and there on these forums, as I’ve been going back and forth on not wearing my Apple Watch for extended periods (weeks at a time, usually).

Surprisingly enough, the feature I miss most is Siri. Being able to quickly turn on and off a light. Open the garage or front door. Add something to the grocery list. Or just ask a simple question. Sure, I can pull out my iPhone for this, but it's so much more convenient on my Apple Watch.

I think I also miss using it as a "dumb phone" too. I've been putting my iPhone in my bedroom on the charger the moment I get home, the iPad goes to the desk. The AW keeps me connected in case of emergencies without needing another device around. Having a baby now, I think it's important to stay connected all the time. If something happens and I miss a phone call because my devices are in different rooms, I don’t think I'd be too happy with myself depending on the circumstance anyway.

 

[Howard2k]

Fitness tracking, Apple Pay, time, alarms, Spotify.

I guess just all of them. My Apple Watch is possibly my favourite bit of tech.

 

[PatrickNSF]

Siri, reminders, Apple Pay, having the ability to call someone in an emergency

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Fitness tracking, Apple Pay, time, alarms, Spotify.

I guess just all of them. My Apple Watch is possibly my favourite bit of tech.

I forgot about Apple Pay.

Yes, I use it all of the time.

Also, unlocking my Macs is another good one.

 

[WebHead]

1. Sleep tracking
2. Apple Pay
3. Exercise tracking

I only bought it for exercise tracking but it turned out to be my third most important use

 

[Andy_2341]

I was thinking about this the other day as I've been forced to go back to a basic watch. The Apple watch only gets worn in the afternoons and overnight now.

The main thing I miss is notification access without pulling out my phone, quick weather at a glance, and the ability to have basically a modern iPod when combined with my AirPods. The ability to call with wifi even if my phone is dead is a big one too.

 

[jz0309]

My Apple Watch is possibly my favourite bit of tech.

Same here. The one thing i keep contemplating is whether or not to get a cellular plan or not.
I have my iPhone with me all the time, in the past 10 years or so, since having an AW, there was 1 (one) time when I forgot my phone. I noticed it within a minute or so as my music wasn't playing, I stopped the car, turned it off/on to ensure that there wasn't a CarPlay related issue, but no, music wasn't playing, phone wasn't there . But I was on a quick errand to the grocery store, knew I could pay via watch so I didn't bother to go back home...

$10-15 what a lot of carriers charge is just too much for me. I'm on TMobile and they used to have a $5 plan, if I can get that, I might do it, but I'm not actively going down that road...

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Same here. The one thing i keep contemplating is whether or not to get a cellular plan or not.
I have my iPhone with me all the time, in the past 10 years or so, since having an AW, there was 1 (one) time when I forgot my phone. I noticed it within a minute or so as my music wasn't playing, I stopped the car, turned it off/on to ensure that there wasn't a CarPlay related issue, but no, music wasn't playing, phone wasn't there . But I was on a quick errand to the grocery store, knew I could pay via watch so I didn't bother to go back home...

$10-15 what a lot of carriers charge is just too much for me. I'm on TMobile and they used to have a $5 plan, if I can get that, I might do it, but I'm not actively going down that road...

I had a cellular plan, when I kept my first Apple Watch.

Was only £5, per month.

I used to go on a morning walk, when I was a my nan's, and it was well worth the money.

I cancelled the plan, when I stopped doing the walk, as there was no use for it.

 

[Howard2k]

Same here. The one thing i keep contemplating is whether or not to get a cellular plan or not.
I have my iPhone with me all the time, in the past 10 years or so, since having an AW, there was 1 (one) time when I forgot my phone. I noticed it within a minute or so as my music wasn't playing, I stopped the car, turned it off/on to ensure that there wasn't a CarPlay related issue, but no, music wasn't playing, phone wasn't there . But I was on a quick errand to the grocery store, knew I could pay via watch so I didn't bother to go back home...

$10-15 what a lot of carriers charge is just too much for me. I'm on TMobile and they used to have a $5 plan, if I can get that, I might do it, but I'm not actively going down that road...

I have cellular activated and it's handy when I run, though my employer pays for it. I'm not totally sure I'd pay for it myself. I'll always buy cellular regardless for the emergency calling capabilities all the same. $10-$15 is steep, I agree.

 

[CloudChief]

I was thinking about this the other day actually, and it has been interesting to read everyone's responses.

Personally, I frequently switch between my G Shock and Apple Watch. Here are the things I miss when I wear my G Shock:
- Silent alarm. I don't really care about sleep tracking, but I love being woken up by a gentle vibration on my wrist.

- Fitness tracking. This is the main reason I wear the watch. I think it's the killer feature.

- Being able to leave my phone behind. I have a cellular watch and enjoy leaving my phone at home sometimes but knowing I can contact or be contacted.

Things I miss when I wear my Apple Watch:
- The simplicity of the G Shock. Not having to worry about charging it or whether it's connected to the internet.

- Durability. The glass on the aluminium models is abysmal. I don't know how they get away with it. The sapphire is better. I also don't like the domed glass, too easy to break or scratch if it's caught on something. I know the ultra solves this issue, but I think most people probably buy the aluminium models.

- The feeling of being disconnected. This is hard to put into words. But wearing my G Shock is almost more relaxing. It's like my subconscious responds differently to it.

- Being able to hear my iPhone's text tone. It makes me laugh.


Overall, I think I would not wear my Apple Watch if it didn't have the health tracking features. That's the killer feature for me.

 

[maflynn]

The time - its a watch after-all, and lifting/looking at my watch is far easier and largely mindless compared to pulling out my phone and looking.

 

[frou]

The thing I would miss most would be this godlike app that has allowed me to define various types of complex multi-stage timers that I use every day

 

[leifp]

Mostly: Timers, stopwatch, weather. Somewhat: workout, air quality.

The ability to wear it non-stop, not hesitating to hop in the shower, pool, or lake with it. Its durability and light weight (compared to my Withings ScanWatch)

Oh, and TIME, of course… including longer times (dates)

 

[maflynn]

@The Cockney Rebel
Why the laughing emoji? My post was serious, I can go out on a limb and say the most used feature of the apple watch is the getting the time. You're lifting up your arm to look at the watch and/or perform an action - doing so you see the time. Then there's the need to see the time explicitly. I'm doing that subconsciously all day. When I don't have the watch on me, I notice how much I miss seeing the time

It is afterall the the reason why the majority people wear wrist watches

 

[Thirio2]

When I switched to a regular watch for a couple of weeks, the thing I missed most was Apple Pay. I use it for fitness tracking, but just to keep track of workouts. I also use it for sleep tracking, but I can live without that too. I have used the ecg , but there are other devices I could use for the same purpose. That said, I went back to the Apple Watch after two weeks and didn’t look back.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

@The Cockney Rebel
Why the laughing emoji? My post was serious, I can go out on a limb and say the most used feature of the apple watch is the getting the time. You're lifting up your arm to look at the watch and/or perform an action - doing so you see the time. Then there's the need to see the time explicitly. I'm doing that subconsciously all day. When I don't have the watch on me, I notice how much I miss seeing the time

It is afterall the the reason why the majority people wear wrist watches
View attachment 2540078

I was laughing with you, not at you.

If you take offence to such trivial matters, I dread to think what a real problem would do to you.

Relaxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

I also miss having the time at hand, when my watch is charging.

 

[maflynn]

I was laughing with you, not at you.

If you take offence to such trivial matters, I dread to think what a real problem would do to you.

Relaxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

I didn't take offense but also I wasn't making a joke. Its a watch, the most important feature I'd miss by not wearing that is telling the time. I fail to see how you think that was my attempt at making a joke

I'm pretty relaxed, but I think you missed the mark or misunderstood my post.

 

[ignatius345]

Activity and sleep tracking. Those are the reasons I bought an AW in the first place, and if those were available in a ring form factor, I'd be tempted to go back to an analog watch.

 

[Ta_whirimatea]

Series 0, 3, 6 & then 10. Looking at uw3 with interest & also garmin.

I think only things are Apple Pay & fall detection I’d miss. Pay functions are available on competitors & I’m not sure about fall detection. Main non Apple app is WorkOutDoors for fitness. It’s great & much better than Apple fitness app.
I think every other function the Apple Watch does other smart watches do too.
Of course I’d miss charging every 24 hours!!

I would never miss Siri as it’s useless. It struggles to set a 10 min timer, & asking it to find say opening times of a shop. 99% of the time it says ‘here’s something I found for you’. Useless when your driving or hands are busy.

Activity rings I couldn’t care less for anymore, used to fill them avidly, now I could’nt care less.

last update made my watch never turn its screen off at sleep. I can’t figure out how to sort it so just keep always on display deactivated.

Compass app loves to turn itself on when I haven’t asked it to. Shazam can’t transfer identified songs into iPhone app.

 

[Andy_2341]

Series 0, 3, 6 & then 10. Looking at uw3 with interest & also garmin.

I think only things are Apple Pay & fall detection I’d miss. Pay functions are available on competitors & I’m not sure about fall detection. Main non Apple app is WorkOutDoors for fitness. It’s great & much better than Apple fitness app.
I think every other function the Apple Watch does other smart watches do too.
Of course I’d miss charging every 24 hours!!

I would never miss Siri as it’s useless. It struggles to set a 10 min timer, & asking it to find say opening times of a shop. 99% of the time it says ‘here’s something I found for you’. Useless when your driving or hands are busy.

Activity rings I couldn’t care less for anymore, used to fill them avidly, now I could’nt care less.

last update made my watch never turn its screen off at sleep. I can’t figure out how to sort it so just keep always on display deactivated.

Compass app loves to turn itself on when I haven’t asked it to. Shazam can’t transfer identified songs into iPhone app.

I can agree with looking at UW3, as I'm considering it as well with my Series 10. However, I think there may be something wrong with your Siri and Shazam. My Shazam on my phone and MacBook shows the same history as my watch, so I can see identified songs from all time across all devices just fine. As for Siri, she may be less than great but mine easily sets timers. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯