So far with… a Cellular Apple Watch
More “less is more”
UPDATE: 11October 2017
Find the full original post below, but here’s my update.
So, it turns out almost no apps work with the Cellular function of the Apple Watch. It also turns out that having your phone with you is more of a digital on/off thing.
When I leave for work every day, I’m going to bring my phone with me. There’s no way I’m likely to leave without it at least being in my bag. That immediately means 5 days out of 7 where it’s there no matter what Watch I have.
So is it worth it for the weekend? Again, to be honest, why leave the phone behind? It’s easy enough to shuffle into your coat or bag.
Here’s what has really helped: it’s much much faster than my Series 0.
Things like Apple Pay (which I use every day for Oyster or quick payments) is truly instant now. Siri is noticeabley more reliable and responsive — only now do I realise the little care and attention I was spending each time I summoned it. Apps feel like a realistic and usable option, instead of a horrible gimmick.
These had the effect that I am more likely and willing to use my Watch on a casual basis. And that’s good enough for me to have “downgraded” to the non-cellular for now.
ORIGINAL POST
Right, first thing’s first: why bother even trying a cellular Apple Watch?
Here’s how I see it.
Most people want to quit using their phone as much – and yet, they keep buying smarter and more useful iPhones. Bigger screens, better battery life, even a more desirable design are going to keep sucking you back in to use it more.
By contrast, I’m trying to produce a setup where my iPhone is the least desirable element of my setup.
Creating more attractive options
On one end of the scale, I have a tricked out new 4G iPad Pro, with keyboard and pencil.
It’s fast, it’s light, it has proper keys or a pencil – it’s just plain more desirable (and almost as accessible) for any task compared to my…
…little iPhone SE.
That’s the other part of the plan. I want a small phone, that doesn’t take up space in my pocket, and preferable I can dunk into my bag instead. I want it to fit in my hand without Reachability.
As a result, it makes the iPad an even more attractive option.
Squeezing away the phone’s stranglehold
Now, the experiment of the cellular Apple Watch is this: what if I can create an even better sandwich to squeeze my usage of iPhone out the sides.
What if I can replace the *important* tasks of my iPhone (notifications mgmt, quick communication, “on the go” app usage) with the Watch.
Now, necessarily, this means there will be some things I can’t do.
The bet I’m placing is: I imagine most of those things are time-wasters that I don’t need to be doing anyway.
Less is more
How many of the things I’m still doing on my phone really can’t wait until I can next get my iPad out?
How many of those are me fidgeting with a device when I really don’t need to be.
Can I live a life that pushes those use cases even further from idle hands, and makes the ever present temptation of the phone, less of a presence.
Stay tuned for results – I’ll update this post as/when makes sense in the next couple of weeks.