“I have been reporting on Apple for more than 20 years now, and in all that time no product has had such an impact on my life as this little piece of hardware and software. I don’t say that for dramatic effect, it has had a profound effect on the way I live,” Jim Dalrymple writes for The Loop. “As you will read later, this is the most personal review I have ever written.”
“However, before we get there, I need to address a few other items, so let’s get started,” Dalrymple writes. “I picked up my Apple Watch from Apple the day before they went on sale to the public. I must admit, I was a bit concerned about using it after reading the initial reviews of the device. They talked about the notification system being just as bothersome as the iPhone and described the watch as having a steep learning curve.”
“There is no steep learning. Complete bullshit,” Dalrymple writes. “‘Notifications are annoying.’ This says more about the reviewers ability to use the product than anything. Notifications are completely configurable. Again, complete bullshit.”
“As of this writing… I have lost 42.4 pounds,” Dalrymple writes. “What I’m saying to those of you in my situation of being overweight, is that there is hope. There is a way out for you too. It has to start somewhere, so why not today. Apple Watch and HealthKit changed my life. It can change yours too.”
Tons more in the full article –highly recommended – here.
MacDailyNews Take: Congratulations to Jim!
We got our Apple Watches the day after Jim and, like him, they’ve been the first thing we put on in the morning and the last thing we take off at night since April. Everything in his excellent Apple Watch review, from battery life to Maps/iPhone/Apple Watch/vehicle Bluetooth interaction oddities rings true.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]
I salute Jim’s writing and his accomplishment. This is a great testimony to technology as coach. Jim did all the exercise, but he always could have. What he needed was a partner to provide data, incentive, goals, recognition of accomplishments, and a measure of fun. Good vibes all around! Again, congrats, JD
Thanks so much for the kind words, I really appreciate it!
Jim
I have to admit, being the big fat guy that I am, my new Apple Watch is starting to force me to get off my butt and exercise. The mere fact it’s telling me when to stand up and walk around (and I am following through on that) was a huge, huge catalyst. So there is hope, and just reading about Jim’s successes gives me encouragement.
And I am finding new things every day with the watch. Third-party apps will come around and improve, so things will only get better.
I love my Apple Watch! :))
This has to be the coolest review EVER. First and foremost, congratulations to Jim whom I’ve read before but wouldn’t know if I walked by him. I do know how difficult it is to be totally honest when it comes to our personal feelings and failings. It’s ever so rare to hear that from anyone let alone someone who is subject to such public review so major props. My (and my wife’s) retirement is thanks to Apple and it’s stock performance so I’ve never felt too bad in over indulging in Apple toys. The watch has been the product I thought would pass by me. No longer. I’ll be ordering mine tomorrow. Thanks Jim.
“As of this writing… I have lost 42.4 pounds,”
Finally got rid of the beard?
I look forward to the watch but health trackers have been around for a while now…
Most overweight (or obese) people feel that efforts to reduce and control their weight will completely obliterate all the important pleasures in their life that they would end up leading a (relatively) thin but miserable life deprived of all the gratification they received from the food.
What is difficult to understand is that the freedom and satisfaction one gains after getting rid of the excess weight is much, much greater than any satisfaction one may have had from wanton overeating. Being able to effortlessly run to catch that bus, to easily bend over to pick up something, to jump up to snatch that hat sitting on top of the wardrobe, and millions of other similar little things that happen hundreds of times every day make quality of life so much better that the effort to keep it such doesn’t even feel like an effort at all.
I don’t get what “most personal review” means, but I like Jim’s take on Apple Watch anyway. I’ve had my 42mm space gray sport more than a month now, and find it more useful with each day.
Ditto on the usefulness. My iPhone 6 lasts two days on a charge now.
It’s too thick and it looks too boring tech. When it’s half as thick and stylish (by European standards) I might buy one. Or I might just put another battery in my old Longines classic thin watch and use that instead.
transparent, really, try not to be so obvious.
Obviously you have not touched nor worn the watch. You are a simple troll. The watch is neither thick nor heavy. it is surprisingly light. If you think a Longines is stylish that says it all. I can go on but you are probably a Samsuck lover.
JD gets my congrats brother.
I have actually gained a few pounds since getting the Apple Watch
I love the electric shock treatment my apple watch gives me every time I look to pull into a fast food restaurant. I love the notification I receive also “you fat shit, you don’t need anymore Big Macs”. It’s great. Good forbid I knew enough on my own how to eat properly.
And also realizes that wanting to use “God” is not politically correct in my last statement it went ahead and changed it to good for me. You guys are swell
I agree with every comment except one. ( O Randy remains useless) Good job Jim and great review.
I’m starting to find the same sorts of aspects to the health situation. Jim actually started his journey before the arrival of the Watch, but the usefuless of it are right on. It’s so nonjudgmental and subtle enough not to be a nag. Looking forward to following Jims lead.
I do have one little niggle with the Stand tracking function. I wear my Watch to bed. I charge it while watching TV in the evening, so it’s off my wrist for about an hour and a half, then I put it back on before bed. When I wake in the morning, it indicates several (4-5) stand hours since midnight. I’m old and I do have those late night gopee events (increasing hydration has its downside), but not that many. There is something in the movement analysis algorithm that is being fooled. I’ll probably start using the “Nightstand” mode when watchOS 2 gets here, so no biggie. Just a curiosity.
Have you tried using Do Not Disturb?
If not…
To mirror your iPhone’s mode:
Launch your iPhone’s Apple Watch app
Tap on Do Not Disturb
Toggle Mirror iPhone to On
To set it manually:
Press the Digital Crown until you get to your watch face.
Swipe up to bring up glances.
Swipe all the way left to get to the Settings glance
Tap on the Do Not Disturb button.
The watch isn’t waking me up. It’s giving me credit for standing during hours that I was sleeping. Very confusing.
Got it.
Now that you mention it, my own “stand” totals seem out of whack, and some folks are talking about this issue on Apple support. (thread 7020541)
Such is the life of the early adopter.
Yes the @ 50 minutes after the hour stand orders also ignore earlier standing time during that hour. I imagine it’ll get fixed in watchOS 2.0.😱⌚️
Otherwise… Standgate!