I thought I'd report in on my first couple of weeks with the Apple Watch. I received a space gray aluminum 42mm model with the black sports band (other bands will be added in the near future, I suspect, though this one is working out just fine). Given that in Canada the watch now costs $500 for the base model, I'll be the first to say that I'm not sure this will attract the casually curious the way a "at par" $350 would have. As I mentioned in an earlier post, if you're looking at this thing as a super-fitness device or for that purpose, $350 isn't too far outside the realm of the best of dedicated high-quality fitness devices. It's a bit of a luxury, but to be fair it does do a lot.
A number of people have commented that since the Watch is a slave to the iPhone, there's no point to it. I can certainly see how people who haven't spent time with an Apple Watch would think that way, but in fact this is like saying that you don't need a TV remote -- you can just get up and manually change the channel on the set (and yes, you can still do that even on the latest TVs).
I have been cool to the idea of an Apple Watch right the way along since they debuted -- I had no desire to put a watch of any kind back on my wrist, and I'm not known for my athleticism, so I didn't see myself as the target market. I do, however, use my iPhone a lot -- and it turns out that this is (along with the health crowd) is who the Apple Watch is really aimed at. Apple positions it as a fashion accessory, but that's really only for the Edition version (the $10K gold model). Speaking for myself and the other Apple Watch owners I know, we are not much interested in how it looks, and like it for what it does. So what does it do that's worth at least $350?
Well, bearing in mind that your mileage may vary (and I received mine as a gift, though I was at the point where I was ready to buy), I think it primarily comes down to three things.
1. It acts as a "receptionist," if you will, for your iPhone. By this I mean it both moves notifications to your wrist and really (seriously) helps you discern more efficiently what's important and what isn't. For those of you who didn't have a receptionist at your office, he or she would screen phone calls, sort mail and appointments (important versus not important), remind you of tasks and deadlines, screen visitors and other interruptions, give you needed information, and generally make your day easier in dozens of ways, some of which you weren't even fully aware of or didn't fully appreciate.
This isn't just about Siri, though you will use it much, much more when you have a Watch. It's about being able to pare down the notifications to the most important ones (this is key), and quickly peruse them to determine if you need to do something now or later. The pre-set replies to texts and emails are a godsend, and make simple acknowledgements incredibly quick. If they're not enough, you can dictate a personal response -- it's very good at that. The net effect of this is that you don't have to take your iPhone out very often over the course of a day, which may seem odd at first considering what you paid for the thing, but it's actually quite nice. A quick glance or a quick dismissing of an incoming message or phone call takes less than a second, compared to fishing your phone out, looking to see what is making it make noise, and then dismissing it. Taps beat tones every time, and are so much more elegant.
2. The Apple Watch is a powerfully motivating fitness device. Whoever came up with the activity rings idea deserves a raise, it is nothing short of brilliant. A lot of people are just OCD enough that they MUST complete those rings every day. I'm not one of them, but I do now stand, move, and exercise more than I did, because I like seeing the progress, getting the reward (a little update or congratulatory message), and because it is on my wrist all the time, I'm aware of some of the choices I make (elevator or stairs?) and such. I find the measurements of steps and heartbeat very accurate (unlike a cheapie fitness band I tried), the sports band works well even when I get sweaty (and survives the showers), and I'm now looking for a gym so I can try out the workout-measuring app.
I'm one of those people who needs a reason (beyond the conceptual health reasons) to exercise regularly, and for me it turns out that knowing it is being *recorded and measured* is a big motivator. YMMV, but it has already made a modest difference in my health and a big difference in my willingness to do more exercise. This alone would be nearly enough to justify the cost (fitness bands that just count steps and such didn't really do it for me, again they might be fine for others), but when added into what else the Watch can do, this thing looks like a smarter investment (in myself more than anything) every day.
3. Nifty extras. Call me immature, but I like the "**** Tracy effect" of dictating a message or taking a call (without a BT headset, though you can use one) on the Watch. I'm excited to try out Apple Pay. I love feeling the tap on my wrist when I'm supposed to turn left -- and the different sort of tap that tells me when to turn right when driving to Siri's directions (don't have to interrupt the music now!). I like Glancing at stocks, weather, calendar (some of these are on the watch face itself, including my activity progress). I'm impressed at what Siri can do these days. I can see my dinner reservations, my airline boarding pass, what bands are coming to town, when my Uber ride is coming, dictate notes in Evernote, and control Keynote presentations tying up my hands holding/using the iPhone. Sure, none of these things by themselves justify the price tag -- but if you take advantage of the other two main things its good for, it beats the heck out of a cheaper fitness band (or lesser watch, I might add).
One more thing:
4. Live more in the moment. As I mentioned, I use my iPhone a lot. Less for phone calls and more for a mini-computer for when I'm away from my desk, which is as often as possible these days. Because the Watch works as a good receptionist, and keeps my iPhone in my pocket more often, I find my face isn't buried in the thing when I'm out walking or temporarily idle the way it used to be. I don't think I was as bad as some of the younger pedestrians I see around these days that walk like zombies looking at their smartphones, but I do admit I would text while crossing the street -- which is pretty bad. I would put my iPhone on the table at restaurants, or use it while waiting for the food -- sometimes ignoring my companion (who was often doing the same thing).
Now I watch where I'm going all the time, not just in periodic glances upward just in time to avoid walking into someone. Now I talk to my companions at dinner. Now I pay attention at meetings. I wasn't one of those who tries to text and drive, thank heavens, but I was guilty of looking too much at the iPhone when getting directions while driving. Taps have replaced that, so I can keep my eyes more on the road.
And this is watchOS 1. WatchOS 2 is coming out next month and promises a host of improvements. I flat didn't think I would like this thing as much as I do. Except for motivational fitness, it's probably not a life-changer, and thanks to the crappy exchange rate I'm hesitant to recommend one to my Canadian friends who don't need something specific from it (like the list above), but in hindsight do I think it was worth $350US? It's a little extravagant, but I think with watchOS 2 I'll be able to say yes with no caveats.
) was how many times my apple watch was spotted and I was asked to demo it. I know I did over a dozen demonstrations and more than a few were looking to get one. Most of the iPhone users loved the idea of the watch and the integration it offered. I showed them how to text, check mail, showed them pictures, explained about answering a call and told them about the upcoming 2.0 features. 
