I now realize the most important place to reach me is through my wrist. Like a friend grabbing your arm to say “I’ve got something to tell you” my wrist is now techno-nirvana.
I’ve been wearing the Apple Watch for almost two weeks and come to some conclusions.
- I don’t exercise enough. And the exercise I do, does not register on the Activity app as exercise. 20 mile bike ride? Nope didn’t register. Bench press? Nope. Dips, leg lifts? Nope. Nope.
- I’m way more active on weekends than on weekdays. And I’m astonished I can walk 22,700 steps in one day and not die. Who knew?
- I get buzzed. Actually more like a thump on my wrist and when it happens I’m looking like Pavlov’s dog “something important is coming… better look for the message.” The message being that someone I don’t know just got a new job. Thank you LinkedIn for invading my personal time and space. I hate you now more than ever.
- Thumping my wrist better be worth it. Another message thump, this time it’s an ESPN notice — the White Sox game against the Cardinals is delayed by rain. Usually ESPN is telling me they lost by one run. I really, really don’t need to be interrupted for a team that’s ten games under 500 going nowhere.
I’m now James Bond. Incoming call from my wife. Red icon or green icon? Which way do I go? (I’m suddenly thinking 1960s, secret agent, but I never guessed it was his love interest calling.) I’m home alone and press the green button. Her voice comes out of the watch. Freaky. “Yep, what’s up?” I say raising my wrist closer to my face — standing in the kitchen — I cannot believe I’m doing this. She asks about our daughter. “Yes, I dropped her off at 8:30” I say into my wrist. I don’t tell my wife that while she’s having a phone call, I’m playing double agent on my end. Unfortunately, our call is nowhere near national security worthy.- Receiving texts is helpful. It’s much easier to glance at your wrist to read a quick text, than to dig around for your phone only to see “ok”. Pre-set replies are ready to scroll through and send back. Interacting with the watch like this feels secretive and oddly efficient. (See above, secret agent)
- Apple Pay. Requires a passcode to get into the watch. No way. Not going there yet.
- Useless apps. Some apps don’t have a chance. Ebay, Yelp and StubHub. On my wrist? Why?
- Schedule notifications. Now I can see my upcoming workday and think about work 26 hours a day.
- Mail notifications. Now I can see my email (which I miss so much) and think about work 26 hours a day.
The Apple Watch screen is blank until you turn your wrist in toward yourself. If it doesn’t activate the screen you need to keep turning your wrist. It only looks like you’re having some mini seizure when you’re waiting in line at Potbelly’s for lunch.
As I said, it’s only been almost two weeks and there is much to learn. Getting notified about things I like will be a priority. Then, I can figure out how some of the apps work. As I write, another wrist thump…ESPN just notified me that the delayed White Sox game has resumed. Never mind what I said before, I have a game to watch.
