Reflections on the Apple Watch

Amidst writing and editing in-depth tutorials for this year’s How-To Guide, I obtained a new companion, and I bet you can guess what it is. Yep, the Apple Watch. I ordered Apple’s first wearable in the middle of the night on April 10 (the day it became available for pre-order), and while I had resigned myself to a mid-May delivery, I was pleasantly surprised to receive it early. We’ve had fun around the office vetting each feature. We’ve sent each other our heartbeats, drawn doodles, and carried on phone conversations from neighboring rooms, to which our web editor Sarah naturally concluded, “We’re basically dating in middle school.” While the novelty of such features quickly wore off, I found myself quickly relying on the Apple Watch’s other core capabilities. While working at iPhone Life, I’ve tested out lots of tech products that I was excited about initially but that I ultimately cast aside; I don’t see this being one of those products. I’ve found it incredibly convenient for tracking my fitness, paying on the go, setting alarms, texting, and even talking on the phone. My favorite watch feature is the subtlety with which it lets me accomplish tasks. When I’m spending time with my friends or family, I like to have my attention on them. And, admittedly, I’m terrible at multitasking. This has led me to miss important messages and calls. I’ve noticed that since beginning to wear the Apple Watch, I haven’t missed anything, but I’ve also remained present with those around me. The Apple Watch is a reminder that technology doesn’t need to be a distraction or a crutch. Staring at your iPhone or iPad during a lunch date feels different than receiving a subtle tap on the wrist and addressing it within a few seconds. During the rumor cycle of a product, we spend so much time wondering what a product will be like. Once it arrives, if it’s a good product, we often can’t imagine our lives without it. I’m not sure the Apple Watch has reached that point yet, but I think the potential is there.

More Products, More to Learn

While creating this year’s How-To Guide, we began to fully appreciate that the Apple experience no longer centers around one product. While it was once a point of pride for Apple to offer a minimalist lineup, for better or for worse, Apple has embraced offering a diverse range of personal electronics. With new products come new ways of interacting with them. In this issue, we’ll teach you how to make the most of the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple Watch and how to use them in tandem to accomplish any task. We’ll start from the beginning, walking you through how to set up your device and introducing you to the basics of navigating the interface. Apple creates products that are a joy to use. But imagine—how much more satisfying will the experience be once you’ve mastered all the features Apple has waiting for you?