Got a series 3 Apple watch

Rod


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Well, after watching the Apple Key Note presentation of the new Series 4 Apple watch and new iPhones I caught the comment about the Series 3 being reduced to US $279.00 and though to myself I wonder if the Australian Apple Store will have also reduced the price of the series 3. As I am home in Australia for a short time I thought I'd just ring and check and yes, they had.
So I am now the proud owner of a Series 3 GPS (non cellular) 38mm space grey Apple Watch.
I really had no idea how good these things were. It unlocks my MBP, allows me to talk to Siri, makes phone calls (like **** Tracy), sends and receives messages, gives me weather forecasts, notifications and heaps of other things. I have hardly taken my iPhone out of my shoulder bag for the last 4 days except to charge it and set/change preferences for the watch.
Yes, I am like a kid with a new toy but this device is amazing and I'm having a great time exploring it's features.
Just thought I'd share that.
 

chscag

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Congratulations on purchasing a new AW 3. Let us know how well it works when you get back to Bali. BTW, it's always great when Apple announces new devices and reduces the prices on the previous ones. Good time to purchase an iPhone 8.
 

pigoo3

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Sounds really cool Rod...you sound very pleased with the purchase! Congrats!:)

- Nick

p.s. Very smart purchase timing as well. Always a good time to purchase the former stuff (price reductions)...right after the new stuff comes out.:)
 

chscag

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heyail said:
Nice! Thinking of buying one too but I'm not sure if I'll be able to use it as often. Maybe I'll wait a year or so and buy one for second hand....

Buying a second hand AW requires a great deal of scrutiny. You would be better off buying a refurbished AW direct from Apple. Apple refurbished devices are like new and come with a full warranty. Also, the savings are generally around 15% or more.
 
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Buying a second hand AW requires a great deal of scrutiny.


Any special reasons for that Charlie???

Can one not just "nuke it" and start from scratch if needed?




- Patrick
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chscag

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Any special reasons for that Charlie???

Can one not just "nuke it" and start from scratch if needed? Patrick

======

It's because they're generally more fragile than other Apple devices and much more difficult to repair. About the only repairs Apple will make is to replace the glass or watch band. Other than that, they replace the entire AW. Also since folks wear the watch it means that it undergoes all the gyrations of the individual. (getting wet, fist fights, sliding into home plate, etc.) LOL.
 
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Also since folks wear the watch it means that it undergoes all the gyrations of the individual. (getting wet, fist fights, sliding into home plate, etc.) LOL.


Well, maybe they can find one that some old retired rich couple is selling and only used the Apple watch on Sundays or maybe just weekends. LOL!!

I thought you implied that it was something to do with security, and I was curious to know what the security risk would be.





- Patrick
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Rod

Rod


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I was a bit surprised to find the native Notes app does not appear on the AW. It seems like a natural inclusion.
I have been using Evernote on my MBP and iPhone for a while but found it overly complicated to use on the AW. So I went looking for a note taking app and eventually decided on Notes Watch. This is a simple note taking app which is easy to use and edit with dictation but does not have a lot of other unnecessary features (for me) such as calendar and contacts integration for To Do lists, appointments and whatnot.
Sometimes I just want to take note of a name/number or create a shopping list that I can edit and this seems to fill the bill.
I am impressed with how well Siri and dictation in general work on the AW. Obviously speech recognition has improved a bit since I last gave it a proper try.
 

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You mean your AW can understand Aussie talk? LOL.

BTW, in case you don't already know it, Evernote has changed its pricing plans and subscriptions. Most folks are now abandoning it and going with the free OneNote from MS.
 
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Evernote has changed its pricing plans and subscriptions. Most folks are now abandoning it and going with the free OneNote from MS.


Not only users but I understand almost all the execs and many critical people recently left the company. Not exactly a good sign… :Smirk:




- Patrick
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Rod

Rod


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Ah, yes, I have just started getting notifications that I need to subscribe to retain certain “free” features. I might abandon ship now before I accumulate too much more data. Thanks for the advice.
 
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:Shouting: I am feeling so jealous
Good for you
Congrats
 

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So I am now the proud owner of a Series 3 GPS (non cellular) 38mm space grey Apple Watch.
I really had no idea how good these things were. It unlocks my MBP, allows me to talk to Siri, makes phone calls (like **** Tracy), sends and receives messages, gives me weather forecasts, notifications and heaps of other things. I have hardly taken my iPhone out of my shoulder bag for the last 4 days except to charge it and set/change preferences for the watch.
Yes, I am like a kid with a new toy but this device is amazing and I'm having a great time exploring it's features.
Just thought I'd share that.

Wanted to say thanks again Rod for sharing your Apple Watch 3 experience.:) I know you're a discerning shopper...and if it had some short-comings...you would have mentioned it.;)

I've definitely been on the fence regarding getting an Apple Watch. I think when the Apple Watch first came out it had some drawbacks...later versions got better. But if you're saying the Apple Watch 3 is pretty solid + the reduced price...I may just have to go for it!:)

One question. How are you (or anyone else that may have an Apple watch) finding the 38mm size...do you think it's big enough? If you (theoretically) could have gotten the 42mm version for the exact same price (let's pretend it would have only been a cosmetic decision...smaller vs. bigger on your wrist)...would you have gone for the 42mm for the larger display & maybe easier "fingering" around?

Thanks,

- Nick
 
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Nick, I was prepared to go for the 42mm model if it seemed worth it for ease of use and display. I tried both at the Apple store and found the buttons easy to use on the 38mm model, to my surprise. The smallest buttons I have to press are the numbers of my pin code (optional security feature) but I have not got it wrong even once. The other thing is that I am not a big build. 32cm waist. So big watches, which seem very fashionable/popular just look clumsy on my wrist, to me.
The other thing is that many of the features can be accessed via Siri if you don't mind looking like a geek in public speaking to your wrist. Messages and notes are dictated so button pushing is not an issue for me.
One of the things I like is the independence it gives me from my phone. I can leave the phone in the kitchen or in my shoulder bag and take a call on the watch. No more running into the house, then missing the call or fumbling with the zip on my bag when my hands are full.
 
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Rod

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As you can see this size is pretty much perfect for my wrist. The strap that comes as standard is the most comfortable I've ever had on a watch and as you can see I'm in the third hole so thats ideal. It also comes with another strap for a larger wrist. I did not check the fit of the 42mm model but I assume it may be bigger. The sort of post and flap system took me about two days to get used to but it's easy now and very quick to remove and attach.
I tried using the watch in conjunction with Apple Maps yesterday. I looked up the location on the iPhone, chose public transport, started the journey then put my phone back in my bag. The watch then continues to give step by step visual and verbal prompts. The visual prompts are in the form of easy to read arrows (not a tiny map) so i just need to glace at it to see i need to turn left or right in however many meters. Very easy.
Last night i went to a meeting and used the Do Not Disturb function which has been upgraded in iOS 12 on the iPhone with 3D (deep press) adding new options such as 1 Hour, Until this Evening, Until I Leave this Location, Until The End Of This Event or from a custom timetable. I love this new option. I don't know how many times I've forgotten to turn DND off after an event or a nap. So I chose Until I Leave this Location as it was an unscheduled meeting and it worked like a charm. Turning DND on with the phone also turns it on for the watch and vice versa but the time options are not yet available on the watch.
Honestly I've hardly scratched the surface of what this device can do. For example I have not loaded Google Maps so I dont know how it would display or function on the watch. For now, except for a simple note taking app I'm sticking with the native apps.
I'm still tinkering with notifications which are reflected from the iPhone even if the app is not loaded onto the watch (optional). You can select which ones you want however on the Watch app on the phone.
i expect it will take some time to get it just how I want it but thats all part of the fun for me. Suffice to say initial setup is quick and easy.
One thing which did have me a little worried was that when I unboxed the device the instructions said switch it on but it wouldn't. Turned out the battery was flat. I had to wait for about 30min on charge before i could do anything but the battery life is excellent now. It claims to give 18Hrs on a full charge. Cannot be overcharged so you can leave it charging overnight. Last night before bed it still had 40% charge.

IMG_0866.jpeg IMG_0867.jpeg
 

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Nick, I was prepared to go for the 42mm model if it seemed worth it for ease of use and display. I tried both at the Apple store and found the buttons easy to use on the 38mm model, to my surprise. The smallest buttons I have to press are the numbers of my pin code (optional security feature) but I have not got it wrong even once. The other thing is that I am not a big build. 32cm waist. So big watches, which seem very fashionable/popular just look clumsy on my wrist, to me.

Thanks Rod...appreciate it.:)

The other thing is that many of the features can be accessed via Siri if you don't mind looking like a geek in public speaking to your wrist.

That's way better than the people that walk around with a bluetooth ear bud talking on a call. You can't always be sure if they're on a phone call...or one step away form the "looney-bin" talking to themselves!;)

- Nick
 

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The other thing is that I am not a big build. 32cm waist.

Darn Rod...you need to eat more! 32cm only = 12.6" waist!

My bicep is bigger than that!;)

- Nick
 
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Darn Rod...you need to eat more! 32cm only = 12.6" waist!


I'm glad someone else noticed that as well.

But them down under Aussie types do seem to have some strange and different things and shapes and sizes. :Smirk:





- Patrick
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Eating stuff like Vegemite will give you a 32cm waist (I'd have to stop eating)!;)

- Nick
 

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