“Having now used the Apple Watch for some time, I have a good idea of how I use it and the apps that are most valuable,” Tim Bajarin writes for PC Magazine.
“For a specific group of users known as knowledge workers, myself included, the killer app seems to be notifications,” Bajarin writes. “Since I’ve had my Apple Watch, notifications are the No. 1 reason I would feel lost if I ever forgot to wear it. I tailored the notifications for my particular needs, from news alerts from CNN, AP, and ESPN to tweets that are tied to key people I follow. There are now thousands of apps with Apple Watch notification capabilities, but I find these to be the most important to me.”
“It is much easier to evaluate an incoming call on your wrist. I only take calls from family, friends and my staff. All others go to voicemail,” Bajarin explains. “I suspect that by the end of 2016, it will become clearer that notifications are a big part of why people buy a smartwatch.”
MacDailyNews Take: Exactly. Apple Watches give users the gift of time.
Already, we feel naked without our Apple Watches on our wrists. Already we notice people staring at their iPhones (real and pretend) everywhere and understand that Apple is going to change the world again. It’s like driving a car while everyone else is being pulled in buggies by horses. We hardly look at our iPhones compared to our pre-Apple Watch days, plus we’re saving so much time! — MacDailyNews Take, April 30, 2015
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Apple Watch Sport modelsOur iPhone usage is way, way down and, consequently, our iPhone battery life is way, way up (from about 40% left at the end of a typical day to over 65%). We put our Apple Watches to bed every night with about 30-35% battery remaining.
One additional thing to consider: We have iPhone 6 Plus units. 128GB. We are Day One iPhone users for every new model. We’re now using the iPhone (directly) so much less often that any Apple Watch-compatible iPhone might suffice. The next iPhone will need to offer something(s) might attractive to get those who’d normally jump to the latest and greatest iPhone, but now find a lot of their attention has shifted from iPhone to Apple Watch, to make the leap.
Of course, we’ll get the next flagship iPhone as usual, but it’s not a stretch to think that Apple Watch might impact serial iPhone upgraders. At this point with Apple Watch, a smaller model iPhone already looks much more attractive to us. So, we’re (again) seeing a raison d’être for SMALLER iPhones: You can just squirrel it away. Apple Watch use will very likely affect iPhone buying decisions for many going forward.
In a nutshell: Before Apple Watch, we used our iPhones all the time and wanted the largest display and longest battery life possible. After Apple Watch, we use our iPhones less and size/weight (easy to carry) have become much more important to us; a smaller iPhone battery wouldn’t hinder us now with Apple Watch.
Luckily for Apple, only some 20% of U.S. iPhone users have currently upgraded to iPhone 6/Plus (and there are millions of potential Android switchers coming off contracts every day), so there is a lot of headroom for iPhone 6s/Plus sales this fall and for a long time thereafter.
It’s rather amazing how dramatically the Apple Watch has affected our iPhone usage after just one month. Eventually, Apple Watch will likely change the dynamics of iPhone model sales. — MacDailyNews Take, May 22, 2015
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Apple Watch saves time. And, we don’t mean that in a small way, we mean that in a big way. 😉 (Thanks, Steve.) Small bits of time saved throughout each day equal big time savings each day. Time is our most precious commodity.
“Lost time is never found again.” — Benjamin Franklin
Good article, really enjoyed it. I have had my Apple Watch now for 10 days and the notifications, messaging are killer apps for sure. I have added the Twitter app which is nice. Siri and dictation are killer for me. It would be nice if it would tie into Apple Notes app. I definitely agree with MacDailyNews Take as well. It is changing my habits in a good productive way.
Notifications may in fact be the “killer app” for the watch — notification data more presented significantly more conveniently than on the phone — especially the 6s with its overzealous fingerprint reader which whisks your notifications away before you can read them.
This is a reasonable position to take, but in that case, it’s grossly overpriced. I suppose (and hope) it’s taking the same arc as the iPhone — gut the wealthy early adopters for all you can get, and then lower the bar to entry to a more reasonable level than the rest.
But I fear the tech involved is just too expensive/dear for its function. If Monster Cables were the only hdmi cables on the market, we’d still be watching SDTV.
LOL, I sure don’t feel “wealthy”. An Apple Watch costs less than most people pay for smartphone data plans in a matter of months. It represents great value for the money with no recurring costs outside of what you already pay for your phone service.
For me it’s texting, email and phone calls from my wrist that are the killer apps. Honorable mention goes to reminders and timers. It’s really a great device. People who bash it just haven’t tried it yet. Once you have, and you realize you no longer have to carry your phone with you as you move from room to room in the house or at the office, you don’t want to go back to the old way.
One type of notification is awesome. When I log into sites requiring 2 step notification, I get the login code on my wrist. No need to dig out the phone.
Slack notifications are key from me (Slack is a workplace messaging and communications app that works on desktops, tablets and smartphones.) I know instantly when a conversation thread or document needs my attention. Second…the ability to answer my phone when its not in easy reach. A bit kludgy and slow to connect, but its gets the phone call answered.
When an analyst writes an article in a PC magazine, they immediately give up their credibility as an analyst. Regardless what you might think, this shows an institutional bias that makes information from this person less reliable. You don’t
want advice from someone who has a vested interest in the outcome.;
I agree with MDN’s takes. I use my iPhone a lot less. Notifications are very important. It lets me know if a text, email, or phone call is important enough to stop what I’m doing. I can send a quick response back, if needed. This morning my phone was not on me and I could see the call was important.
My problem with the article is “knowledge workers”. It’s been a pet peeve about writers not understanding the iPad because it’s not for their work. This shows just how narrow minded Mr Bajarin is. The Apple Watch usefulness goes way beyond knowledge workers. Managers, sales people, police, medical workers, construction workers, and a lot more could benefit from this too. The whole idea of just trying to find one killer app is stupid. I don’t buy a car, house, or phone for just one thing. Several little reasons are more important than just one big reason for anything. Don’t marry someone just because they’re great at sex, making money, or cooking and suck at the rest. Say “I Do” to someone who is OK at sex, making money, and cooking; together it makes them perfect.
I love my WATCH only for Runtastic Pro, Counter, Alarms and Timer. Leave in Airplane mode to extend battery life all times except during exercise. Don’t care about notifications at all.😄
Good article, really enjoyed it. I have had my Apple Watch now for 10 days and the notifications, messaging are killer apps for sure. I have added the Twitter app which is nice. Siri and dictation are killer for me. It would be nice if it would tie into Apple Notes app. I definitely agree with MacDailyNews Take as well. It is changing my habits in a good productive way.
Notifications may in fact be the “killer app” for the watch — notification data more presented significantly more conveniently than on the phone — especially the 6s with its overzealous fingerprint reader which whisks your notifications away before you can read them.
This is a reasonable position to take, but in that case, it’s grossly overpriced. I suppose (and hope) it’s taking the same arc as the iPhone — gut the wealthy early adopters for all you can get, and then lower the bar to entry to a more reasonable level than the rest.
But I fear the tech involved is just too expensive/dear for its function. If Monster Cables were the only hdmi cables on the market, we’d still be watching SDTV.
I don’t think my $399 wrist computer was very expensive. But then again, I don’t work at Burger King.
My thrust here is that it’s not a wrist computer. It’s a second screen for your phone.
So your $800 phone is $1,200 with the second screen.
LOL, I sure don’t feel “wealthy”. An Apple Watch costs less than most people pay for smartphone data plans in a matter of months. It represents great value for the money with no recurring costs outside of what you already pay for your phone service.
They do have, stainless steel and sports watch options if you are on a budget. 😉
For me it’s texting, email and phone calls from my wrist that are the killer apps. Honorable mention goes to reminders and timers. It’s really a great device. People who bash it just haven’t tried it yet. Once you have, and you realize you no longer have to carry your phone with you as you move from room to room in the house or at the office, you don’t want to go back to the old way.
One type of notification is awesome. When I log into sites requiring 2 step notification, I get the login code on my wrist. No need to dig out the phone.
Slack notifications are key from me (Slack is a workplace messaging and communications app that works on desktops, tablets and smartphones.) I know instantly when a conversation thread or document needs my attention. Second…the ability to answer my phone when its not in easy reach. A bit kludgy and slow to connect, but its gets the phone call answered.
When an analyst writes an article in a PC magazine, they immediately give up their credibility as an analyst. Regardless what you might think, this shows an institutional bias that makes information from this person less reliable. You don’t
want advice from someone who has a vested interest in the outcome.;
Sorry.
Now all we have to do is wait for a report on a life promoting app Apple, but in the meantime get used to hearing the crickets chirping.
Notifications. He figured that out after all this time.
Duh.
“What the hell am I going to write about today? I am totally out of ideas.”
*Watch notification appears*
“Fine, whatever.”
I agree with MDN’s takes. I use my iPhone a lot less. Notifications are very important. It lets me know if a text, email, or phone call is important enough to stop what I’m doing. I can send a quick response back, if needed. This morning my phone was not on me and I could see the call was important.
My problem with the article is “knowledge workers”. It’s been a pet peeve about writers not understanding the iPad because it’s not for their work. This shows just how narrow minded Mr Bajarin is. The Apple Watch usefulness goes way beyond knowledge workers. Managers, sales people, police, medical workers, construction workers, and a lot more could benefit from this too. The whole idea of just trying to find one killer app is stupid. I don’t buy a car, house, or phone for just one thing. Several little reasons are more important than just one big reason for anything. Don’t marry someone just because they’re great at sex, making money, or cooking and suck at the rest. Say “I Do” to someone who is OK at sex, making money, and cooking; together it makes them perfect.
I love my WATCH only for Runtastic Pro, Counter, Alarms and Timer. Leave in Airplane mode to extend battery life all times except during exercise. Don’t care about notifications at all.😄
How many times did they say a Apple Watch user looks at the watch per day? Like 500? No thanks.