TTMA Apple Watch

[nicolewi]

I'm thinking I might like an Apple watch for myself for Christmas. Not sure; haven't totally looked into it yet. Do you like yours? Dislike? Is it worth it? What should I know? Anything? TIA.

[VillainV]

I’ve had them for a few years.

Things I like:
- Doubles as an activity tracker so I can get good day at without wearing two things
- I can perform tasks on my watch without my phone around (start timers, disable home security system, answer a quick text, see reminders)
- If I don’t remember where I set my phone down, I can ping it from my watch (no lie, this is probably the single most useful feature of the watch)

Things I don’t like:
- Notifications can be distracting (you can customize them in settings, put on do-not-disturb, etc, but it’s work to set up exactly how you want it)
- It’s kind of ugly. I mean, it looks like a piece of tech and not jewelry.

[abs]

I really love mine. I had a fitbit before for years but they kept breaking so I finally went for the Apple Watch. I have had it 3 years now I think and it's still going strong.

The singular best thing about it for me is the notifications. I have it set up where it only gives me notifications for texts so it really helps me keep my phone put away. The second best thing is definitely pinging your phone.

I also really like the fitness/challenge aspect of it. I'm very motivated by monthly challenges and closing my rings.

[Velar Fricative]

Oct 5, 2021 6:01:38 GMT -5 VillainV said:

I’ve had them for a few years.

Things I like:
- Doubles as an activity tracker so I can get good day at without wearing two things
- I can perform tasks on my watch without my phone around (start timers, disable home security system, answer a quick text, see reminders)
- If I don’t remember where I set my phone down, I can ping it from my watch (no lie, this is probably the single most useful feature of the watch)

Things I don’t like:
- Notifications can be distracting (you can customize them in settings, put on do-not-disturb, etc, but it’s work to set up exactly how you want it)
- It’s kind of ugly. I mean, it looks like a piece of tech and not jewelry.

I agree with all of us, especially pinging my phone really often lol. 

If you get the watch and want to use it to track activity, you can subscribe to Apple Fitness+ workouts. They're great, so much variety and work so seamlessly with the watch. I used them for indoor cycling classes but then I bought a Peloton. I still miss the AF+ classes though and the way more seamless integration with my watch (I didn't realize the connection with Peloton is not so seamless). 

Also, I got mine a year ago and went with the Series 3 from Costco. I wasn't sure how I'd like it so I wanted a cheaper, more basic option before I spent way more on the latest watches. 

[noodleoo]

Oct 5, 2021 6:01:38 GMT -5 VillainV said:

I’ve had them for a few years.

Things I like:
- Doubles as an activity tracker so I can get good day at without wearing two things
- I can perform tasks on my watch without my phone around (start timers, disable home security system, answer a quick text, see reminders)
- If I don’t remember where I set my phone down, I can ping it from my watch (no lie, this is probably the single most useful feature of the watch)

Things I don’t like:
- Notifications can be distracting (you can customize them in settings, put on do-not-disturb, etc, but it’s work to set up exactly how you want it)
- It’s kind of ugly. I mean, it looks like a piece of tech and not jewelry.

Agreed!  I can never find my phone.  The pinging it awesome, although I have woken up a kid with it by accident.

I *love* my apple watch.  More than I expected.  I never wanted one, I thought they were overpriced and I didn't want another electronic in my life.  But my mom bought it for me for Xmas so I tried it out and I was surprised by how much I love it.  I had a fitbit before, but I hated it.  It felt judgy somehow, I kind of resented it since I am not a very active person and I rarely made my step goals.  Somehow the apple fitness tracker is different.  I mentioned this to my sister and she agreed and said somehow closing rings is different psychologically than reaching a linear goal.  It is weird but true.  This actually motivates me to exercise more.  Maybe it is also because it is not *just* an activity tracker, so I see that as a feature, not the only reason I'm wearing it.

Other features I like:  text notifications, directions on it while driving (it vibrates when a turn is coming up), finding my phone, breathe reminders.  Mine has a heartrate sensor and pulse ox sensor which are features I don't use a lot but I like having.  

[sparty04]

My series 3 just died a few weeks ago (it was less than 2 years old- so annoying) and I replaced it with a series 6 + cellular. It's a little more expensive and a $10 monthly fee but now I don't have to worry about accidentally forgetting my phone when I'm out. The few days that I didn't have a watch were really stressful. I didn't realize how much I rely on it, mostly for activity tracking. I love it so much

[Blue Moon]

I got a Series 3 2 years ago and I absolutely love it. I don't use any of the fancy features, but I absolutely love getting calls/texts immediately. Surprisingly I can have clear conversations when I answer a call directly on my watch. The security of knowing I wouldn't miss a call from my kids' school was huge as a teacher, since I don't usually have my phone out or on my body. I also love wearing my watch around my house, because I have freedom to move anywhere in my home including the backyard or front yard and not miss a text/call. I wear it in the pool a lot and communicate with my daughter through FB messenger app. The notifications through the app my son's preschool uses come right to my watch too, and I like to quickly glance and know whether or not I need to respond.

Like others, I ping my phone often when I've misplaced it. Tracking my mileage when I go for walks is another useful tool, as is the activity tracker in general. I use the flashlight often too.

I love controlling my Spotify playlist connected to my Google Home speaker though my watch too. Other little things: having access to my store cards: like Sam's Club, Shop Rite, CVS, etc through the Apple wallet app. I love just scanning the barcode from my wrist.

[brooke77]

I love it. I got it 4 years ago when I was running the NYC marathon and needed to replace my Garmin. I planned to use it just as a running watch, but I wear it everyday.

I love the notifications. I used to be the type of person who always missed calls/texts because my phone is always on silent and away somewhere. Having a kid - I love being able to see an important call from preschool or important text from my DH.

It’s a great fitness watch.

I love controlling apps from my watch - like podcasts, my laptop security login, etc.

I feel like I have freedom from my phone. I definitely love mine 😀

[ECB]

I love mine too. Similar to noodleoo - I didn't think I wanted one, but then DH got one for me as a surprise. He happened to get it for me right as my employer was going to multi-factor authentication and the first time my watch buzzed at me and I realized I could "Approve" my log-in, I was THRILLED. Didn't have to have my phone "right there" all the time.

And I love it for all the reasons others have mentioned. While the notifications can be annoying, at the same time, I like being able to be away from my phone (either just in the house, or when I'm socializing, whatever...) and I can take a quick peek at my watch to determine if I really need to get my phone or not, but yet I'm not missing any important texts or emails.

[madringal]

I really didn't think I would want one, but we got it for DD1 and it didn't do what we wanted for her, so I kept it, and now I can't imgaine not having it.

Things I love about it:
* I like that it pulses when I am using my Apple Maps for navigation. Sometimes I kind of zone out while I am driving and it is easy for me to miss the next turn or something.
*The fitness tracker is great
*I like that I can use to set up my phone somewhere for like a group shot, and then use the button on my watch to actually take the photo rather than having to run to beat a timer
*I like not having to carry my phone around but I am not worried about missing a call or text that may come in.

Things I don't like:
*Swapping out the bands is annoying. But I like dressier ones for work and athletic ones for working out. I need a good in-between.
*I find myself checking notifications on it (forgetting to set the DND) and then it looks like I am in a hurry and checking my watch a lot. It looks rude. So the notifications can be distracting.
*For the life of me I don't know why this stupid thing doesn't make a sound or a pulse if I am getting out of Bluetooth range from my phone. The little red dot does not help me. I get a billion notifications on this thing, you think they could tell me if I am driving away without my phone.

[stemmie]

I have a 4 with cellular. It's awesome. There have been a couple of instances where my phone battery tanked and I was able to use my watch for calls and texts.

I want to get my mom one for the fall detection. She has a pendant she refuses to wear because it makes her look like an old lady.

[hermione]

I really like mine. I just got it in August because I cannot always have my phone on me at work and I wanted to know if my kid's school was calling. I love knowing how many steps I've taken with just a glance and the ability to text my husband without my needing my phone.

[dutchgirl678]

I got a series 4 a while back and love it. No cell service but I almost always have my phone there. The latest thing I like is with a newer iPhone with FaceId the watch can unlock the phone if I am wearing a mask. I use the fitness tracker a lot. Especially when I used to go swimming over the summer, I loved that it kept track of how many laps and even knew what kind of strokes I did.

[starburst604]

Oct 5, 2021 12:05:21 GMT -5 madringal said:

I really didn't think I would want one, but we got it for DD1 and it didn't do what we wanted for her, so I kept it, and now I can't imgaine not having it.

Things I love about it:
* I like that it pulses when I am using my Apple Maps for navigation. Sometimes I kind of zone out while I am driving and it is easy for me to miss the next turn or something.
*The fitness tracker is great
*I like that I can use to set up my phone somewhere for like a group shot, and then use the button on my watch to actually take the photo rather than having to run to beat a timer
*I like not having to carry my phone around but I am not worried about missing a call or text that may come in.

Things I don't like:
*Swapping out the bands is annoying. But I like dressier ones for work and athletic ones for working out. I need a good in-between.
*I find myself checking notifications on it (forgetting to set the DND) and then it looks like I am in a hurry and checking my watch a lot. It looks rude. So the notifications can be distracting.
*For the life of me I don't know why this stupid thing doesn't make a sound or a pulse if I am getting out of Bluetooth range from my phone. The little red dot does not help me. I get a billion notifications on this thing, you think they could tell me if I am driving away without my phone.

This is probably my only gripe about the Apple watch. Whyyyyy is changing the bands so difficult? I'm glad that I don't have to worry the band will separate from the watch face but there is no quick swap outs on the thing. I much prefer silicone bands while working out, but when I swapped it out for a dressy one for the wedding over the summer I never changed it back just because it's a pain. 

Everything else that people have listed make it one of my favorite things. Before I had one I wasn't really sure what I needed it for and now I feel so lost without it. 

[VillainV]

Oct 6, 2021 13:55:51 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

Oct 5, 2021 12:05:21 GMT -5 madringal said:

I really didn't think I would want one, but we got it for DD1 and it didn't do what we wanted for her, so I kept it, and now I can't imgaine not having it.

Things I love about it:
* I like that it pulses when I am using my Apple Maps for navigation. Sometimes I kind of zone out while I am driving and it is easy for me to miss the next turn or something.
*The fitness tracker is great
*I like that I can use to set up my phone somewhere for like a group shot, and then use the button on my watch to actually take the photo rather than having to run to beat a timer
*I like not having to carry my phone around but I am not worried about missing a call or text that may come in.

Things I don't like:
*Swapping out the bands is annoying. But I like dressier ones for work and athletic ones for working out. I need a good in-between.
*I find myself checking notifications on it (forgetting to set the DND) and then it looks like I am in a hurry and checking my watch a lot. It looks rude. So the notifications can be distracting.
*For the life of me I don't know why this stupid thing doesn't make a sound or a pulse if I am getting out of Bluetooth range from my phone. The little red dot does not help me. I get a billion notifications on this thing, you think they could tell me if I am driving away without my phone.

This is probably my only gripe about the Apple watch. Whyyyyy is changing the bands so difficult? I'm glad that I don't have to worry the band will separate from the watch face but there is no quick swap outs on the thing. I much prefer silicone bands while working out, but when I swapped it out for a dressy one for the wedding over the summer I never changed it back just because it's a pain. 

Everything else that people have listed make it one of my favorite things. Before I had one I wasn't really sure what I needed it for and now I feel so lost without it. 

I find it really easy to swap out the bands? I mean, I’m lazy and don’t do it often (maybe once every few weeks). I don’t do it daily, mostly because I don’t care if I just wear the silicone ones all the time. But I don’t think it’s too difficult to do as often as you want. Am I missing something?

[starburst604]

Oct 6, 2021 14:51:58 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Oct 6, 2021 13:55:51 GMT -5 starburst604 said:

This is probably my only gripe about the Apple watch. Whyyyyy is changing the bands so difficult? I'm glad that I don't have to worry the band will separate from the watch face but there is no quick swap outs on the thing. I much prefer silicone bands while working out, but when I swapped it out for a dressy one for the wedding over the summer I never changed it back just because it's a pain. 

Everything else that people have listed make it one of my favorite things. Before I had one I wasn't really sure what I needed it for and now I feel so lost without it. 

I find it really easy to swap out the bands? I mean, I’m lazy and don’t do it often (maybe once every few weeks). I don’t do it daily, mostly because I don’t care if I just wear the silicone ones all the time. But I don’t think it’s too difficult to do as often as you want. Am I missing something?

I don't know, maybe I'm doing something wrong? I find it difficult to get the button pressed down that allows them to slide out, and the band is hard to tug out. But this made me just try it on the current dressy band that I'm using and it came out really easily. Maybe it's been the silicone bands I've had. 

[arehopsveggies]

Is it easy to find nicer bands? I am super allergic to silicone but I want an Apple Watch for Christmas….

[stemmie]

arehopsveggies, if you order through Apple, there are many custom band options. or you can buy after-market.

I'm a little obsessed with the Lagos ones

[sent]

I don't have one. DS kept ripping my Magic Band off my wrist when we went to Disney. He'd do the same to the watch.

If you have a Mac computer or laptop or both, you can do a lot of these same things. You can ping your phone and send texts. This is what I do.

[luckystar2]

I have a 3. I like it. Depends on what you might want it for. I think as an overall smart watch it’s good. I don’t think it’s the best if you want a serious workout watch. I got mine as a gift and it’s replaced my Garmin for workouts. As an overall watch I like it but for my workouts at times Ive been annoyed with it (gps off, heart rate not being picked up, etc). But I’ve looked at some Garmin smart watches and just think they are too big for me. Also I like how integrated it is with my iPhone. I ping my phone almost daily 🤣 I can ping it off my computer or iPad too but the watch is SO much easier. I also like the new feature that uses your watch to unlock your iPhone (because masks made face detection a lot harder to unlock).

The new 7 just came out recently. If you are interested in cellular - apple was offering a deal that you’d get $100 back from your carrier once it’s activated. But a lot of the 7s are back ordered on apple. The 6 has been on sale some and I’m hoping for some good Black Friday deals cause I want to replace mine. The SE looks pretty good deal if you don’t care about ECG. I do not suggest the 3. I can’t believe they still advertise it. Mine still works pretty ok but there’s been ALOT of complaints about issues being able to do updates anymore on it cause it lacks space. I haven’t done the latest update because the last one took me completely erase everything, unpair, repair in order to update and it took several hours.