I enjoy exploring new technology, which is quite expected of me. It helps me stay up-to-date and provides insights into emerging trends, giving me a sense of where the tech and society are heading. A few years ago, I experimented with the Apple Watch but found it rather underwhelming. It lacked the practicality that would justify carrying yet another piece of tech on me, so it ended up resting on its charger until ending up in a bin. However, this year, I decided to give the latest version of the Apple Watch a chance, and I must say, I’m now hooked.
Messages & Notifications – I’m truly amazed at how Apple managed to optimize the experience on such a small screen. Checking text messages and emails with a quick glance is effortlessly accomplished. This not only prevents me from getting lost in my phone when responding to messages but also reduces my screen time because I no longer feel the urge to check my phone randomly. The accuracy and speed of dictation also means I no longer need to pull out my phone to compose a quick message.
Fitness & Safety – The Apple Watch tracks the calories I burn and sets daily goals for me to achieve brisk activity and regular standing and movement throughout the day. I’ve always been annoyed by getting tapped by fitness trackers, but it seems Apple has found the perfect balance here. It adapts to my day and gently encourages me with positive wording and good timing, turning frustration into motivation. On the safety front, features like heart rate monitoring and crash detection are impressive. There are numerous stories of these features potentially saving lives and thankfully I don’t have personal experience to share.
Siri – I can’t help but draw parallels to Inspector Gadget from my childhood as I explore the numerous tasks I can accomplish by simply pressing the watch’s button and interacting with Siri. Sending a quick SMS, checking my calendar, and employing a variety of other tricks have proven to be extremely convenient, allowing me to keep my phone at bay.
Complications – It may sound peculiar, but that’s the term for assigning app shortcuts to the four corners of the watch. I use this feature often as it’s a super fast way to pull up my SMS messages by tapping the bottom right corner or find my iPhone by tapping the top left corner. These tiny time-saving features add up throughout the day!
Find Devices – As touched on above, you can find your other gadgets from your watch easily! Although I seldom misplace my gadgets, I acknowledge the usefulness of this feature, especially for those prone to losing their phones. With a couple of taps you can have your phone make a sound from between the couch cushions and help it to freedom.
Auto Unlock – Touch ID or Face ID doesn’t always work fast. In line with my theme of time-saving, auto unlock has been a game-changer. Since putting on the Apple Watch, my MacBook and iPhone unlock seamlessly without requiring me to manually input passcodes or passwords. It feels like magic!
Despite my enthusiasm for technology, I don’t like the idea of becoming overly dependent on a gadget. I put away my gadgets to be fully present with my family, as well as during my daily reflection walks, and when I sleep. I treat the Apple Watch as a work tool and wear it during business hours, foregoing features like sleep tracking and constant health monitoring, and I’m perfectly content with that choice. What are some rules you follow to keep your technology at a healthy distance?
– Burak Sarac, Team Lead
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