Will you buy an Apple Watch?

[rockymtnhigh]

I also get about 40-44 hours on my original 42mm watch. Doesn't bother me because every other night I remove the watch and put it on the charger. My iphone 6+ gets about 3-5 days mostly with wifi connection as I'm home most of the time.

I believe that as the watch gets more use with more features and apps, the battery life will be less, not more unless they figure out how to make the electronics more efficient. I don't believe there is a more powerful battery technology on the horizon so we're stuck.

My suggestion to Apple was to work on solar recharging to extend the battery. The solar cells could occupy the entire wrist band for added power.

I can't say I get anything like that. 2 hours on the bike and it zaps 40% of battery. An hour walk takes its toll. I usually make it through the day, but always put it on the charger for 20 min or so after a long exercise session. Love the watch, but battery life since OS3 has not been stellar at all.

 

[klang]

I recently had my Series 1 watch replaced. The screen had detached from the body. No longer under warranty but they sent me a new one anyway. I assume it is refurbished. Night and day difference from the old one. Previously about 4 hours using MapMyRun (for hiking) would drain the entire battery. Now I can wear it for a hike and the battery lasts the rest of the day. I also had problems with the watch losing connection to my phone. That issue is cured as well. Not sure if I had a bad example to begin with or if they are using better parts now.

 

[tigerfan33]

I've had 4 Watch's replaced since the launch. 3 hardware and 1 firmware bricked. That said I really like the Watch. I've found using the Watch as a fitness device can really hold its on. I've compared Fitbit Charge 2 (which I still use also) and the Garmin Vivoactive HR with and without a Scosche Rythem + heart rate monitor.
The Watch performed better that the Charge 2 with use during biking and about the same with running and cardio (weights and elliptical combined workout)
The Garmin with the Scocshe performed exactly the same as the Watch while cycling.
The Garmin failed to auto detect activity with tennis while the Watch did.
I'm really hoping Apple steps up and adds more health features.

 

[tigerfan33]

Make that 5 Watch's!
Front display started to come off today.
Tech at Apple said it may be the heat causing the issue I've had. He said the battery is probably swollen and pushing through the front. Known issue.
I'll send it back for review but he said should be covered and they will ship another.
I told him that I sure hope the series 3 is made better than the 0.

 

[tigerfan33]

Massive Apple Watch 3 LTE leak gives us our first look | TechRadar

More leaks on Watch 3.
Apparently phone calls without phone are back on the table. Interesting how much data may cost.

 

[IcEWoLF]

After watching the keynote, I'd say yes, but I am going to step in my local apple store when its released and try it out and see how it feels, if I like it I will buy it if they have them in stock. I am gonna opt in for the space grey model which looks awesome minus the red dot.

 

[navychop]

Buy one? Not now. MAYBE if they get the proposed features working well. That kind of monitoring is the future.

So BUY now? No. Accept one as a gift? Sure. Any takers? Or givers?

 

[TheForce]

What will I do with my Apple watch original? I have the SS model with the expensive SS band.

 

[navychop]

What are they going for on eBay? Or Amazon?

 

[rockymtnhigh]

I got all excited about the cellular watch 3; the video from the keynote and description just looks very nice, then I thought about it, and while paying $100 more for the watch isn't a big deal, but it's really another $120 on top of that per year, and if the watch is going to likely have a 2 year life, now that $450 watch (shall we say $500, so it includes Apple Care) is costing about $750 over two years.

Oh, and I realize the cost of the dang iPhone is far worse, but in thinking about an exercise watch, whether it is a good Garmin GPS watch or an Apple Watch, the $300-400 price range is pretty typical, But when it almost doubles, that is a different ballpark altogether.

So, I decided that when I upgrade my Watch series 1, which was really just the Apple Watch when it was purchased, I'll go for GPS.

 

[tigerfan33]

With my Watch 1st generation sent to Apple (replacement shipping box was not sent on time and will be here tomorrow) I'll be ordering the 3 non LTE tomorrow. The fact that I've had so many replaced due to known defective swelling batteries and the wireless power the 3 has is a no brainer for me.
The bad news is I'll be lucky to get $75 for a refurbished 1st generation Watch.

 

[navychop]

Has anyone been burned by an Apple Watch? Just swelling, no heating?

 

[tigerfan33]

Has anyone been burned by an Apple Watch? Just swelling, no heating?

Not that I've read.
This last time when they ask questions about if I worn the Watch in the shower or swimming, they asked if I've worn in in extreme hot weather.
I told him in the summer I'm standing on a 150 degree skillet. Haha (tennis court)
I'm thinking heat was at the core of my battery issues.

 

[TheForce]

Looking for way to save money on an Apple watch 3? Try B&H where you can preorder like anywhere else after 3AM Sep 15, and if you don't live in NY or NJ, you will save the sales tax. Free shipping too. Bad News- they are closed for shipping on the 22-23 so your watch may not arrive until after the 27th. Just a thought if you are desperate for saving every last dime you can but willing to wait past their religious weekly closed days.

I also learned that in order to activate the Apple watch 3 with cellular, you must have a cell phone carrier and cell phone account account. If not buying the cell phone model, you still have to have an apple account to log in with icloud PW to activate and Apple iphone 5S or later on iOS11. I will need to upgrade my iphone to iOS 11 before activating a new Apple watch 3. These requirements will make the process a little more complicated for a new Apple customer unfamiliar with the Apple ecosystem. Unlike other tech companies, Apple is an ecosystem you join in as the true benefits lie in that life style of interconnected devices. The more Apple devices you own, the more benefit of the system you will get. But I have discovered that this infrastructure has it's limitations as well. Not every intuitive process is allowed. That can be frustrating at times.

Has anyone been burned by an Apple Watch? Just swelling, no heating?

My Apple watch gets a little warm while charging from 5% to 80% which takes about 45 minutes. Then to get to 100% it cools off and takes about 2 hours. That's the only time I have felt the watch get warm to the touch.

But I don't exercise 12 hours a day with the watch on cardio modes like tigerfan does. I think his OCD with exercise is highly unusual. Good thing he buys Applecare.

 

[IcEWoLF]

Most carriers are offering free 3 months and in ATT case they also offering free activation which is $25, but I have the corporate discount and I get any new activations waived anyways..so really I'd get 3 months free of service which is $30 and ain't signing up for a damn 2 year contract for the discount, that's just stupid. I will probably do what Don suggested, try it out at the Apple Store and see how I like it and then order it through B&H Video since they don't charge tax...so I'd save a bit of money and don't have to worry about no damn contract.

 

[tigerfan33]

Order placed. 42mm SG gps black sports band.
Will be here around the same time as replacement 1st generation. Any takers?
Series 3 will have glonass gps + gps. That is confirmed.
Series 2 glonass was never confirmed.

Don. I agree some of my exercise is OCD induced.
Most however goes with the job
Working my way to join you in retirement. Hopefully next year.

 

[TheForce]

Just ordered from APPLE at 3:15AM. Store will have stock on 22nd and got my apt for pickup. Bought Black SS GPS+Cellular.

Discovered now upon final ordering the SS models are not available until middle of October. I can live with black SS. It appears that SS Black models are only available on the 22nd at Apple. Verizon has only one Aluminum model on the 22nd. Best Buy has Aluminum.

They have so many variations that it is hard for every location to stock every SKU. I don't understand why the stores can't carry the bands in separate packages from the watch base which would cut the number of SKU's. The stores could then let the customer put the band on the watch.

I have a feeling the X will be in such short supply and even places like Verizon and AT&T stores will have limited inventory.

 

[TheForce]

Don. I agree some of my exercise is OCD induced.

When I did my Running the Road TV show I learned all about people like you. We had a segment on the show by an MD fitness specialist on how to stay healthy for runners.

Most carriers are offering free 3 months and in ATT case they also offering free activation which is $25

If you buy the cellular version, I read in one report you will have to specify your carrier and phone number to activate the watch. The gps only model just requires your icloud email and PW. But that report was not official.
When I tested a purchase through Verizon, it offered $60 discount: $30 activation fee waved + 3 months service at $10 per month. I wonder if they are charging the activation fee for the iphone X or new 8 / 8+ models.
Anyway, glad I could save you some money. Didn't work for me because they had no delivery estimate on the SS model.

 

[navychop]

".... The stores could then let the customer put the band on the watch....."

<shudder>

 

[Foxbat]

The Nike edition of the ?Watch shows availability in early October, but the normal non-Cellular models I checked are available for store pickup on the 22nd. Since the EPP discount I get for most Apple products isn't available for the new items, I think Don's idea of ordering from B&H is the ticket!

However, all they're offering for pre-order at the time is the ?Watch Edition in white and grey ceramic. I think I'll pass up that offer for now...