Apple Watches on Their Way

[meenman]

I may be biased because I work at a large gps navigation company, but I have doubts about the apple watch usefulness in the course. A dedicated device is less expensive and more accurate. What will you guys be using it for?

Not saying apple will be the same, but I tested a golf gps app on my Samsung watch and don't think I got through 9 holes before it died

[iacas]

I may be biased because I work at a large gps navigation company, but I have doubts about the apple watch usefulness in the course. A dedicated device is less expensive and more accurate.

What will you guys be using it for?

I'm using it primarily for "not looking at my phone as often."

I don't use GPS apps, but the Apple Watch is (this will likely change in future generations when tech improves) basically just a second screen for the iPhone. Thus, it uses very little battery power itself. Looking at the screen for a few seconds an extra 36 times a day won't affect battery life very much (and 36 is on the high end).

[Kieran123]

The Apple watch is pretty awesome....but (this is all personal opinion) square/rectangle watches?  No. Just No.

Moto 360 is the best looking smart watch, hands down.

Would I ever own a smart watch? No. Not enough benefits.

[JazzFatCat]

Yikes. Apple watches start at $700? I think I'll stick with my $50 Timex.

[iacas]

Apple watches start at $700?

No. Half that. Rectangular is fine IMO. :-)

[RussUK]

The financial advisor who is dealing with my hosue move has one. He said its great if you dont want to have your phone always to hand but he did say he ended up checking for messages etc. more often than if he had his phone in his pocket

[PhraseUniverse]

I've had my Apple Watch for two days now, and I absolutely love it. I don't feel so attached to my phone, the need to check it so much. Naturally, one of my first thoughts was, "I wonder is there's a golf app?".

GolfPad, GolfShot, GolfLogix, Hole 19, and Arccos all support the Apple Watch. When I hit the course this weekend, I'll give it a whirl. I'll post a review.

[HittNRunn]

I tested out Hole19 on the Apple Watch on Friday, it worked pretty well on a 9 hole course. I'm going tomorrow and try it on a 18 hole course.

[meenman]

I tested out Hole19 on the Apple Watch on Friday, it worked pretty well on a 9 hole course. I'm going tomorrow and try it on a 18 hole course.

Tried it out on the Samsung yesterday. I lasted a hole and a half before I stopped. It was just too annoying with the bluetooth not reconnecting when I went up to putt.

Also not buying this article - I think most of us buying *wearable tech* were never going to purchase a watch unless we got our *smartwatch*

http://nypost.com/2015/05/30/apple-watch-sales-affecting-traditional-watch-market/

[pistol99]

Don't mean to tread on any toes, but there's no way that I'd buy Apple. No way.

It'snot even the fact that you can get the same technology for cheaper - it's that they deliberately design their devices so that a) they can't work with other stuff, and b) They have a track record of designing an item so that doesn't even work in a year's time when they bring the newer model out.

[jamo]

Don't mean to tread on any toes, but there's no way that I'd buy Apple. No way. It'snot even the fact that you can get the same technology for cheaper - it's that they deliberately design their devices so that a) they can't work with other stuff, and b) They have a track record of designing an item so that doesn't even work in a year's time when they bring the newer model out.

Point a) is so vague I don't even know where to begin, and b) is provably false. Sent from my iPhone 5. Which is 2.5 years old.

[saevel25]

a) they can't work with other stuff, and b) They have a track record of designing an item so that doesn't even work in a year's time when they bring the newer model out.

a) totally incorrect. I have an I-Pad and it works with my 4 year old HP laptop just fine. My dad has an iphone and ipad it it works with his dell computer just fine as well.

b) totally false. I've had an I-pad for over 2 years now, it is about 2 generations old and it still works just fine.

[iacas]

It's not even the fact that you can get the same technology for cheaper - it's that they deliberately design their devices so that a) they can't work with other stuff, and b) They have a track record of designing an item so that doesn't even work in a year's time when they bring the newer model out.

Uhm, no. To both.

Come with something substantial and I'm happy to talk. The latter, as @jamo said, is provably false. The iOS updates, and even the OS updates, historically date back to and support older models than any other company I've ever seen. I don't know what the latest version of Android is at this point (SourPatchKids, maybe? :-P) but you probably can't use it on many two-year-old Android devices. iOS 8 supports back to the iPhone 4S. That phone was released in 2011.

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On the actual topic, I love my Apple Watch. I love my phone too, but sometimes, many times, you just want to look at something quickly. What's the temperature? What's the time? What's the next appointment? Who just texted (and what did they have to say)? Reminders. Timers. Even phone calls (I took a quick phone call from @mvmac while driving a cart with @saevel25 the other day).

I was never the type who thought it would become stupendously awesome, but I did think it would come in handy. One of the main uses I wanted - to act as a remote to record high-speed video - doesn't even actually work (I think a third party will solve this soon), and yet I simply love how often I am able to use my Apple Watch to filter things in my life. If I'm at dinner with my family and someone texts about something unimportant, a quick glance lets me ignore it and stay focused on my family.

And… the activity tracker thing has not quite gamified everything for me, but I do make sure I stand more often (some days I have NO problem reaching that goal, other days which are more computer heavy I like the reminders). The tapping for directions is great, too. Even dictating text messages on the watch saves me from having to dig out my phone and switch to the right conversation, tap the Siri button, etc.

[nevets88]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistol99

a) they can't work with other stuff, and b) They have a track record of designing an item so that doesn't even work in a year's time when they bring the newer model out.

a) totally incorrect. I have an I-Pad and it works with my 4 year old HP laptop just fine. My dad has an iphone and ipad it it works with his dell computer just fine as well.

b) totally false. I've had an I-pad for over 2 years now, it is about 2 generations old and it still works just fine.

My iPod, that's an "o", 2001, still barely works, the hard drive is on its last legs though.

I still use my 1st generation iPad, bought it in 2010, works fine. Yeah, it's a bit slow, but not as slow as my Android Nexus tablet, purchased in 2012.

My Mac Mini, 2007, as HTPC, which I kick the crap out of, is still going strong.

That's 14, 5 and 8 years, respectively.

[meenman]

Don't mean to tread on any toes, but there's no way that I'd buy Apple. No way.

It'snot even the fact that you can get the same technology for cheaper - it's that they deliberately design their devices so that a) they can't work with other stuff, and b) They have a track record of designing an item so that doesn't even work in a year's time when they bring the newer model out.

I am an android guy for the most part, but this 5 year old macbook i recently picked up is faster and more advanced than my one year old windows laptop.

[Kieran123]

In my experience, Apple gear last just as long as any other ( if not longer ). Apples devices are full of components built by a manufacturer that also fill many other computers guts.

The length at which piece of tech last has not really changed, but the rate at which companies pump them out I think has certainly increased.

[newtogolf]

In my experience, Apple gear last just as long as any other ( if not longer ). Apples devices are full of components built by a manufacturer that also fill many other computers guts.

The length at which piece of tech last has not really changed, but the rate at which companies pump them out I think has certainly increased.

I agree, Apple products might be a bit higher priced than other products but I always felt they were also higher quality.

[Mac62]

Don't mean to tread on any toes, but there's no way that I'd buy Apple. No way.

It'snot even the fact that you can get the same technology for cheaper - it's that they deliberately design their devices so that a) they can't work with other stuff, and b) They have a track record of designing an item so that doesn't even work in a year's time when they bring the newer model out.

Let's see:

My iMac is over 8 years old and has been through six versions of OS X, have never had a hardware or software problem with it and it's on 24/7/365.  I keep waiting for it to die so I have an excuse to upgrade to a newer 27" iMac, but it won't cooperate and just keeps running.

My Macbook Pro is 7 years old and still runs like a champ.  It's been through five versions of OS X.

My wife's Macbook Air is 5 years old, she uses it every day and has never had a problem with it.

My iPad 2 is 4 years old and has been through 4 versions of iOS, still works fine.

My iPod Touch is at least 8 years old - battery still holds a charge and it still works great.

I've had iPhone 3G, 4, 5, and now 6+.  I go a minimum of two years between upgrades and every one of them was still working perfectly when I traded them in or passed them along to somebody else.  A friend is still using my iPhone 4 as his everyday phone, it's 5 years old now.  I had an issue with the camera not working on my iPhone 5, took it into an Apple store and they checked it, then handed me a brand new, still in the box phone right there on the spot.  Didn't cost me a penny.  That's the only hardware/software issue I've ever had with any of my iPhones.

I think we can safely put that one to bed.  I don't mind one bit paying the premium for Apple's quality and excellent customer service.  You can walk into an Apple store and get your device serviced and/or replaced on the spot.  If you bought AppleCare Plus it will usually be free of charge, even if the damage was your fault.  Try that with most PCs, tablets or Android/Windows phones.

On the original topic:  I don't have an Apple Watch yet, not sure if I'll even get one since I pretty much never wear watches.  But if I'm ever in the market for a smart watch, it would undoubtedly be the Apple Watch.