this post was submitted on 29 Oct 2023
1 points (100.0% liked)

Apple

93 readers
2 users here now

A place for Apple news, rumors, and discussions.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I got my SE2 a couple months back to help keep me in check to exercise more. Ive been working at home and my posture and exercise amount has been pretty awful. Averaging 3500 steps a day before the watch.

Besides checking my steps and starting/stopping exercises i dont really look at it much tho tbh. Besides the occasional fast forward of a video/podcast im listening to.

Ive only downloaded a couple extra apps but only really look at basic stuff typically. Or glance at my watch when im nervous occasionally.

Besides the basics ( checking the time or notifications) how much/often do yall look at ur watch?

top 43 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Koleckai@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Not much. Have most notifications turned off across the watch and the interface is often too small for my old fingers.

Though, I do have a few installed for complications and notifications. The only one I actively use outside or heart rate, ecg, and workout is OurGroceries. However it is nicer to get my Forticlient VPN key on the watch over the phone. And the Stand Up app notifications are much more recognizable than Apple’s default notification. I do use ECG, Heart Rate, oxygen levels, and mindfulness on a daily basis.

Mostly I just use my phone still. Don’t think I would be able to leave it at home. Many apps like reminders, calendar, home, phone, and messages are really only useful to me on the phone.

[–] mehgcap@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I'm like a lot of others here. I use some first-party apps and widgets, but not a lot. What I use, though, is great to have. It's easy to miss messages when my phone is in a pocket, but not with the watch. I like having media controls on my wrist. Overcast is wonderful. I like having calendar and weather data immediately accessible, and the watchOS calendar interface is quicker to scroll through if I just need to see what's happening today and tomorrow. I use the Workout app at least twice per day, and have my fitness rings on every watch face.

At first, I wasn't sure what I'd do with an Apple Watch. But I'm one of those people for whom gamifying life is a huge motivator. Hitting my daily goals is why I'm in decent shape, and have improved over the years. It's motivating to keep my move streak going. Even stand reminders get me up and away from the computer for a few minutes, which I take as an excuse to jog the stairs once or twice to help my other goals along. You can change the goals. If you're hoping to become more active, try setting goals you can hit relatively easily and see if the watch helps motivate you to increase your activity level. If you're not into that at all, the watch can still be useful. As some have said, though, it focuses a lot on fitness and wellness.

[–] themadturk@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

It reminds me to take medications.

It reminds me to get up from my desk and move around a little.

It tracks my sleep.

It lets me put in 2FA codes without having to use my phone.

I can control my music with it.

I use it to pay for stuff.

Besides looking at the watch, I look at the weather forecast on it.

I use the timers all the time.

Flashlight at least 3-4 times a week.

[–] malrats@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I don’t like to bring my phone in the bathroom, so I scroll through Nano (Reddit) while on the pot. Works pretty well.

[–] Toltepequeno@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I use blood oxygen, heart rate and ecg. Probably once a day though.

I check my libre 3 blood glucose on my watch a lot.

If out and need to I whatsapp on my watch.

[–] Kimantha_Allerdings@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I used to use them a lot, but OS10 has made the UIs worse and made it harder to navigate the watch, not to mention the fact that raise to speak has stopped working entirely. So I use them a lot less now.

[–] Jstarkok@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Just got a watch and put on all the raise to speak settings and not working - so seems like they need to patch it?

[–] alien3d@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago
[–] Belle_Requin@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Timers timers timers timers.

Also smart home stuff- like unlocking the garage door. Checking the weather, Apple Pay, reminders, also find my, to make sure the cat is not outside or in the garage.

[–] timespassing_@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Timers on my wrist has been life changing, actually.

[–] ComeonmanPLS1@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Basically never. Only to check time, weather, notifications and sometimes calendar.

[–] Willr2645@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I’m not criticising, but why get an Apple Watch? I am thinking of getting one, but I’m also out of getting one, because, like you, I only use like 4 functions. And my crappy huawei watch can do that

[–] brown_burrito@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Honestly, I started using it for tracking fitness but the reality is that it’s pretty much only usable for casual fitness tracking.

The battery life is atrocious and it’s not really water resistant.

Realistically, the battery life makes it useless for any real longer duration athletic use. Going on a 3 day weekend climbing trip? Sorry, the battery isn’t going to last. Even the Ultra has really poor battery life.

If you are serious about fitness, you are better off getting a real fitness watch like Garmin or Coros.

But the biggest perk is the integration with my iPhone and I can make calls, control music etc. I also can just wear the watch if I’m going on a short run etc.

So if you are looking for an everyday watch that does everything well enough then the Apple Watch is great.

[–] Bammalam102@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Apple Pay, AutoSleep wake-up, Sweatcoin, more accurate heart rate

[–] 1point4millionkdrama@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

What is AutoSleep wake up?

[–] Cristian2909@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Is a function of Autosleep App

[–] ThatOneOtter15@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Comes in handy when I’m working on something around the house and I want to skip a song, or if I want to check the weather without taking out my phone, using it to set timers since I like to leave my phone at my desk when I’m working at home. Stuff like that.

I remember there used to be more Apple Watch apps before, but I’ve never really found a huge use for a lot of them, most of my usage comes from the first party Apple apps or Spotify really. I do use the health features a lot though, so apps like activity or workouts, heart rate, blood oxygen, etc… I also find myself using the remote camera app a lot more often now that double tap is out.

[–] osamaromoh@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I log my weight lifting workout (exercises, sets, reps, and weights) on my Apple Watch. Phone is kept in the locker.

[–] hyllested@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Try setting up competitions with your friends/family - you will be looking at the Fitness app a lot :-)

[–] Classic-Box-3919@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Lol my family is inactive as well. Sounds interesting tho.

[–] CaptainCAAAVEMAAAAAN@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I use mine all the time. I like to keep track of my heart rate, ECG, menstrual cycle, etc. I also use the timers, weather app, calendar, messages, exercise, etc.

I love my watch!

[–] Classic-Box-3919@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Ah i do kinda wish i went with a used 6 instead of the se2 for the ECG. I wasnt sure if i would use the watch much so i couldnt jsutify buying a 8 at the time full price

[–] tspe@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Every day I use the training app, every weekend and for weekday soccer games I use What's the Score, Bro?

[–] duuudewhat@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Timers, reminders and sometimes calls. That’s it. And the more I think about it, the more I’m wondering why I would ever need to upgrade again. Unless there’s some big new feature, why? I don’t need more speed for reminders and timers.

Last justifiable upgrade was to the ultra for battery life. No regrets on that. Don’t see myself upgrading for a few years

[–] Classic-Box-3919@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Probably dont ever need to upgrade tbh well until the battery goes bad. Idk if we can replace em like the phones. Havent looked into it

[–] FuxieDK@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Several times a day: Water Llama tracks my hydration.

But also, an app for my CPAP, parking app, Withings, Shazam, and several built-in apps, such as workout, calculator, timers etc.

[–] MikeMac999@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Hardly any, but the ones I do use make it worth having. Timers, notifications, health functions, Apple Pay, weather…oh, and the actual time.

[–] stefaface@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I use Spotify on it a lot, timers, weather, to find my phone, to make calls on the go, and of course the fitness app

[–] marcelocampiglia@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I use multiple apps (Fitness, Workout, Music, Overcast, Athlytic, YAZIO, Waterllama, Zenitizer, Sleep, Tot, Things, Alarms, and Timers) multiple times a day.

[–] Due_Tower_4787@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I have ADHD and severe anxiety/PTSD. I always need to have my phone. Even if I’m not on it or using it. It just needs to be near me. BUT because of my ADHD, I always misplace my phone around the house. I also have a toddler who’s going through a stage I can only describe as “semi feral” and I literally got one just so I could find my phone. Oh and easier access to the time.

[–] preventDefault@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Unfortunately most of the native apps require my phone to be nearby so it kinda defeats the purpose.

I have SiriusXM, but the app is basically just a remote for the phone app. It can’t stream over cellular or even Wifi on its own.

I’d love to listen to Spotify with my watch, but they hide that beyond Spotify premium.

So pretty much the only apps that get any use on my watch are native Apple apps. I use Podcasts/Weather/Timers the most.

[–] -B001-@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I find the rings have been addictive -- to make me want to close them, meaning I get more exercise.

I have my watch face showing the weather, so I look at that pretty often.

And I use it to monitor sleep and record exercises.

I sometimes use it to send a quick text message rather than digging my phone out of my pocket or from the other room.

And having the heart monitor is kinda cool.

[–] Ok-Abbreviations3042@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Literally the only things I use my watch for a) time/date/temp, b) text notifications, and c) step counting. I don’t use any of the exercise stuff at all, I just count my steps and it’s nice not having to carry my phone with me at all times

[–] Crypty@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I have not found any 3rd party app to be useful at all.

[–] Yvilkittyinspace@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

About the only app I really use is the timer app. Other than the temp and date and sunset/sunrise, there really isn’t much I do in the watch. I still west it every day and not a new one every two years. The apps are limited in functionality as you know.

Almost forgot, I use Apple Pay to pay for gas at the pump.

[–] OrDuck957@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I run so invaluable to me for the workout stats and music app. Old days used to have to have my phone while running.

[–] MDK1980@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Literally only HR, ECG and Exercise (when it prompts to record a session).

[–] tommyalanson@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I use the workout app to track my cycling and swimming.

I text with it a lot.

Phone sometimes, when I leave the phone behind while cycling.

Stream music why cycling.

Adding reminders.

Flashlight.

Controlling music remotely.

Leaving the phone behind.

Weather.

[–] DougFalsetti@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I have a fantastic AWU2 and with all the screen, battery and power, I’m still left disappointed when I open most (if not all) my apps. ESPN, Radar, Spotify…the list of highly limited apps goes on… I’m always left wanting them to do more, have deeper menus and be able to expand their functionality. With the exception of Health tracking and Siri voice functionality (in setting timers, adding appointments and voice reminders), my watch has become an expensive iOS notification device (which it excels at!).

[–] Bar-5150@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

To me most apps are a bit of a gimmick. Fun at first use or to show somebody what you can do with your watch, but not really useful in real life situations.

What I use often:

Spotify, to control volume or skip to next song. Light Play a sound on iPhone to find my iPhone Alarm, timers and stopwatch.

Sometimes:

Calculator Heart Rate Weather Agenda

[–] thebengy66@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

People that ask this question don't understand the work flow of the Watch. It's not the phone. It's an accessory to the phone that has emerged as a health device. The complications and notifications that the apps bring is the secret sauce.

[–] scjcs@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

All. The. Time.

WeatherGraph, iCatcher, workout app, navigation, CalZones, Geneva Moon, AllTrails, ApplePay…