So, it's been about 30 days since I got my replacement Apple Watch. In that time I've seen many articles or posts on the "Interwebs" stating that people are trying to resell their watch on eBay or that they are "breaking up" with their watch. I don't get it. What were these people looking for from the Apple Watch? It certainly is not a device that is going to change the world...at least not yet...in the titanic ways these eBay reselling, break up people must have imagined. It does have potential to change your world...on a smaller scale.For me...my "use case" has boiled down to these things...
- I'm using the Workout and Activity apps to keep track of my daily fitness goals. I feel really good when my 3 circles get closed and will go out of my way to make sure it happens.
- The notification to stand up has been interesting to use...especially on days that I am not teaching. Finding inventive ways to get up and move...if I'm with others...has been a "mini-insider-victory" for me.
- Quick communication via texts and phone calls has been great!
- Checking my progress on my favorite Glance/app (Spire) helps me keep track of my breathing. When the stone vibrates, I check the watch and instantly...I'm getting a notification that I've not taken a deep breath in awhile. Too cool!
- Checking my heart rate gives me a way to see how "it" and my breathing are connected with regards to the context of the situation(s) I find myself checking both.
And...(call me old fashion) I like being able to see what time it is (on my wrist) without digging my phone out of my pocket. Some will say that the watch is not needed to do any of these things. Technically, they are right. Does that necessarily mean I am wrong for leaning on the watch for the reasons I've stated here? No. It is my opinion that a lot of the tension I'm gleaning from the eBay resellers and those who are "breaking up" with the watch comes from the guilt they are experiencing for spending the money it took to get the watch to their wrist. So why not say that? Say YOU may have misjudged things...don't blame the watch. Apple did not force anyone of us to buy the watch. Horace Dediu wrote a great piece thinking about how we hire technology for a, "distinct, unmet job to be done." For me, that job, as defined by what I am currently doing with the watch, has evolved into assisting me daily with being in the moment; plain and simple. To the resellers and "break up" people I have 2 things to say...
- I'm sorry things did not work out for you.
- Whether you get the next iteration of the Apple Watch or some other gadget, channel Dediu's adivce and think about what job you are hiring the device for. The piece of mind that comes from hiring something or someone and it actually working out is priceless!