Apple Watch Series 4
I was never compelled to consider the purchase an Apple Watch until the company announced the Series 4 model. And it was for one reason and one reason alone: the ECG feature. Heart health is been an unusually strong concern for me, for heart disease has claimed members from both sides of my extended family. My father has experienced 3 heart attacks during his life. I’m at the point in my life where heart health gone from being an abstract notion to a valid concern. As a guy in his mid-40’s, I make a conscious effort to eat right and regularly exercise, but there are family bound genetics that I can’t escape. (Diabetes also runs rampant on my mother’s side of the family…)
So, after some discussion with my wife Aarti, I purchased my first Apple Watch Series 4, opting for the 44mm case model, GPS (no cellular), and sport watch strap. The purchase set me back $429 plus tax.
I’ve integrated the Apple Watch into my day to day routine since early October and waited intentionally for several weeks before sharing my thoughts on the device. Rather than repeat the common talking points that have already hit the Internet (by way of popular review sites and YouTube reviews), I wanted to share my general observations of the Apple Watch Series 4 and how I use it.
I was initially concerned with how large the 44mm watch unit would look on my wrist. Would it be too big? (Note: I did not try an Apple Watch in the store before buying one.) My concerns quickly vanished when I put the Watch on. In short, I’m glad I went with the larger size. That being said, I suppose I got lucky. Your best bet is to try one on beforehand to see which size makes the most sense for you.
The Series 4 model appears to be slimmer than the Series 3. With its edge to edge screen and its slimmer looks, the Apple Watch Series 4 looks more like a conventional watch than its predecessors. I particularly like the strap mechanism. Instead of featuring clasps with holes, the strap loosens and tightens by way of a clever Velcro mechanism.
Taking the Apple Watch on and off is a breeze. In my evaluation, the included Sport band features a breathable fabric that fits comfortably without binding and wicks away perspiration odors that may result during a particularly intense workout. (Your mileage may vary, though.)
Simplicity and functionality are my two preferences in terms of my watch face selection. Apple includes about a dozen or so watch faces, but many of them are too busy or impractical for my use. For now, I’m sticking with the Utility watch face. For this watch face, I have opted to include Calendar and Messages as complications to monitor. With these complications, I can I can see my daily calendar and any incoming text messages at a glance. Like the iPhone, I have the audio feedback on my Apple Watch set to “Do Not Disturb” when I’m at work. If a message comes through, a small vibration is sent and I can choose to ignore or reply to a message as needed.
Tracking workout time with the Apple Watch is a breeze. Simply launch the Workout app (known as a Complication) and select the activity you are embarking on. The Workout timer counts down from 3 and begins collecting data on your activity. When you’re finished, swipe left and click “end”. Metrics for both regular activity and exercise activity will synch with the Activity app on your iPhone. With the Apple Watch Series 4, I no longer need to manually note my workout times and mileage. Plus, I get the added benefit of monitoring my blood pressure throughout the day, total calories burned, and overall standing time. There is an element of “gamification” in that your Move, Stand, and Exercise scores are represented as respective rings. Filling your rings is a worthy daily goal and a great incentive to move around and stay active. Goals can be set manually – mine is currently set to burning 690 calories/day.
I wear my watch at 5:30AM and take it off around 10PM. With my regular routine and fitness, I’m only using 1/5 of the total battery. Nevertheless, I leave the Apple Watch on its charging stand before going to bed at night.
There are other conveniences that the Apple Watch has outside of fitness. First and foremost is the ability to see who is calling without having to pick up my phone. In the United States, particularly in Florida, telemarketing calls have significantly increased. With a glance at my wrist, I can determine whether or not I should receive the call. And, like comic detective Dick Tracy (or Inspector Gadget), I can make and receive calls directly from my Apple Watch (ahhh, the FUTURE!), so long as my iPhone is near by. Text messages can also be sent and received and I rather like the ability to “write” on the screen with a quick personalized note when replying to an incoming message. When playing music or a podcast from your iPhone, the Apple Watch can serve as a remote to play or pause your track. And if you’re feeling particularly geeky, the Apple Watch can also serve as a remote for the Apple TV.
The Apple Watch Series 4 isn’t for everyone. If you’re not already invested in the Apple ecosystem, there are other options out there for you. However, if you have other Apple devices AND use it as a health monitoring / workout tracking device, there is a lot to like with the Apple Watch. Two things I want to see happen with the Apple Watch Series 4, going forward.
- I want the ability to customize my watch face using third party designs.
- I want all the first party Apple displays to have standardized layouts for complications – as it stands, it’s a mess.
That said, for what it does – I’m happy with the Apple Watch. Having the peace of mind of being able to monitor and share my heart health with my physician makes owning an Apple Watch Series 4 worth it. The added messaging, calling, and workout tracking capabilities are useful extensions are excellent “bonuses” that make the Apple Watch Series 4 a valuable tool in my day to day life.
-Krishna
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