Submission + - Apple Watch 4 - A Consumer Review
kwelch007 writes: A little over three years ago, I was an Android fanatic. "F@!k Apple!" I thought. I bought a second hand Moto 360 off of my boss, who had turned to the "dark-side" and went Apple, and had gotten the Series 0 watch. I quickly became jealous, but I curbed those feelings because the Moto 360 did the basics of what I wanted (communication,) but was bulky and the battery was for shite.
I finally gave in, after years of Android loyalty (mostly because Apple was charging app developers 30+% on sales, which Google has since done,) because the iPhone and Apple Watch just worked, so I was told (and it is true.) I changed from my Motorola Maxx for an iPhone 7, because I wanted the Apple Watch. Shortly after, I purchased a second-hand Apple Watch Series 1. I have never looked back. I know that Samsung has a good watch, but hell, Apple stuff just works...and I'm happy with it.
Last week, I was able to buy an Apple Watch Series 4 with the exact spec's I wanted (44mm "Silver" — Had pre-ordered, but a friend notified me that they were in stock at my local Best Buy...yes, long lunch.) Wow! The screen is a ton bigger than my Series 1. I noticed right away when it asked me to set my passcode...the buttons were WAY bigger! It truly has the "side-to-side" screen...it's noticable. I bought the LTE version, and think I'm going to trade my plan for my iPad Air2 on LTE for the watch...I'm never without my phone when I have my iPad, but I can see why I'd be without my phone but with my watch, so it makes sense to me. I made use of the new Watch features within hours of having one. "Walkie Talkie" is super convenient (used with my associate who told me that it was in stock at Best Buy.)
As I've played with it, two thing are super cool, and two things are not.
Cool:
1) It's big, but not much bigger on your wrist than the 42mm versions previous...rather, the screen is bigger, brighter, and more usable.
2) The speakers and mics are far and away better than previous versions of the Apple Watch.
Not so cool:
1) The highly touted "ECG" capability is reportedly part of the device, but the availability of the software won't be until later this year (2018.)
2) The "Fall Protection" is unknown (I live alone in a 2-story house with a basement..."I've fallen and I can't get up!") But, I'm assuming it also is dependent on the release of future software, and OK, I'll update when the time comes.
Overall, a worthy upgrade I think, and I kept my Series 1 so I can gift it to someone who doesn't yet have a Smart Watch (they must have an iPhone mind you.) I love my Smart Watch mostly for messaging notifications, and for weather and fitness updates, which it does quite well (better custom watch faces.) But, it's not an easy thing to describe to the deprived.
Maybe I'm just an information whore.
Side-Note: You can control the camera with your Apple Watch 4...selfies galore. I recommend getting a mic stand and related phone holder...easy to find on the major online retailers.
I finally gave in, after years of Android loyalty (mostly because Apple was charging app developers 30+% on sales, which Google has since done,) because the iPhone and Apple Watch just worked, so I was told (and it is true.) I changed from my Motorola Maxx for an iPhone 7, because I wanted the Apple Watch. Shortly after, I purchased a second-hand Apple Watch Series 1. I have never looked back. I know that Samsung has a good watch, but hell, Apple stuff just works...and I'm happy with it.
Last week, I was able to buy an Apple Watch Series 4 with the exact spec's I wanted (44mm "Silver" — Had pre-ordered, but a friend notified me that they were in stock at my local Best Buy...yes, long lunch.) Wow! The screen is a ton bigger than my Series 1. I noticed right away when it asked me to set my passcode...the buttons were WAY bigger! It truly has the "side-to-side" screen...it's noticable. I bought the LTE version, and think I'm going to trade my plan for my iPad Air2 on LTE for the watch...I'm never without my phone when I have my iPad, but I can see why I'd be without my phone but with my watch, so it makes sense to me. I made use of the new Watch features within hours of having one. "Walkie Talkie" is super convenient (used with my associate who told me that it was in stock at Best Buy.)
As I've played with it, two thing are super cool, and two things are not.
Cool:
1) It's big, but not much bigger on your wrist than the 42mm versions previous...rather, the screen is bigger, brighter, and more usable.
2) The speakers and mics are far and away better than previous versions of the Apple Watch.
Not so cool:
1) The highly touted "ECG" capability is reportedly part of the device, but the availability of the software won't be until later this year (2018.)
2) The "Fall Protection" is unknown (I live alone in a 2-story house with a basement..."I've fallen and I can't get up!") But, I'm assuming it also is dependent on the release of future software, and OK, I'll update when the time comes.
Overall, a worthy upgrade I think, and I kept my Series 1 so I can gift it to someone who doesn't yet have a Smart Watch (they must have an iPhone mind you.) I love my Smart Watch mostly for messaging notifications, and for weather and fitness updates, which it does quite well (better custom watch faces.) But, it's not an easy thing to describe to the deprived.
Maybe I'm just an information whore.
Side-Note: You can control the camera with your Apple Watch 4...selfies galore. I recommend getting a mic stand and related phone holder...easy to find on the major online retailers.
