[teaston]

So, I've been reading about the new Apple Watch 3 and it is very tempting now for running as it can work entirely without your phone, not just for GPS, heartrate etc. but also for 4G/Wifi to receive phone calls, texts, Siri etc.

It is available for just £30 up front then £25 per month from EE with unlimited data/calls/texts so I'm very tempted, but will I actually use it in the rest of my life?

Has anyone got/had an Apple watch and do you rate/use it? And do you wear instead of or as well as your nice analog watch? Would be a shame to leave my Tag sitting at home every day!

[MrChumley]

Originally Posted by teaston

Apple Watch 3, do I need one?

Don't know. What watch do wear?

Originally Posted by teaston

So,

Originally Posted by teaston

Has anyone got/had an Apple watch and do you rate/use it?

Yes and yes.

Originally Posted by teaston

And do you wear instead of or as well as your nice analog watch?

Instead.

Originally Posted by teaston

Would be a shame to leave my Tag sitting at home every day!

OK that kind of kills the first joke but never mind. I've got a Tag and various other watches sitting in a drawer with flat batteries. I don't wear jewellery so a big lump of metal that does nothing but tell the time feels a bit last century TBH.

Having said that, I've disabled a lot of features on the Apple because they can get quite irritating. Like the time I was sitting on a train and it suddenly congratulated me for having walked 50 miles.

Regarding the 3, I'm undecided. The big red dot on the crown looks a bit weird and the range of straps is uninspiring. If the series 1 straps fit I might be tempted to upgrade at some point but for now I'm inclined to keep the 1 and carry on using my G-Shock for sport.

Hope that help

[MarkG_M5Comp]

With cellular built in, I'm tempted.

For that price plan I'm very tempted.

[Russbmw]

I bought a moto360 first generation off eBay for £50 that does all (or possibly more) than an iwatch. Its handy for work or when I'm on my motorbike, as I can see messages without having my phone on me.

I wear it most work days, but wouldn't say it was essential by any means. I certainly wouldn't have paid any more for one.

Obviously iwatch is geared specifically to iPhones, I have an s7

[saltyamigo]

My wife's had her's for a couple of years and wears it every day and really likes it. I bought one of the Nike Series 2 recently but haven't had it long enough to really comment, I bought mine as I wanted to get a GPS watch for golf anyway. Only difference I noticed is that my 42mm battery appears to last a good bit longer than her 38mm one. I bought the Series 2 at a good price as I didn't think I would need the LTE version as I would normally have my phone with me anyway, but no doubt LTE would come in handy in certain situations especially if you're a runner, but not enough for me to warrant paying an extra phone contract. It's handy having the notifications etc on your watch but there is only so much you can do on such a small screen. I don't fancy using it for calls much if you were out as its through a loudspeaker so everyone can hear you, and dictating texts in broad Scottish accent should be fun if using Siri is anything to go by. What happens if you have a phone contract with Three or Vodafone, I assume you can still pair it up to your phone number and get billed for your watch by EE?

[SkyJawa]

I have a 2 and use it over other watches, that said I have no care about it working without the phone present.

[JustChris]

Seems a great bit of kit now you don't need the phone. Has me tempted but I'm sticking with my Garmin Fenix as it's indestructible for Tough Mudders etc.

I still wear it daily and the 2 'prestige' watches are still in the drawer.

The pricing seems very reasonable too, hadn't looked into any deals yet. It would be very handy for bike rides and long runs now I think about it. Would save me bringing a phone for safety/pick up if I have a big problem.

Go for it Tim

[teaston]

I think the answer might be that I don't 'need' one, but I do want one!

[saltyamigo]

Yes perfect if you're a runner especially if you like to listen to music while you run as you'll be able to stream direct from the likes of Apple music (I think Spotify should be available shortly).

Just had a quick look on the EE website, it says you must have an iPhone on their SIM only or pay monthly plan to connect to your watch, if that's correct that's going to rule it out for those of us with contracts elsewhere.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by saltyamigo

Yes perfect if you're a runner especially if you like to listen to music while you run as you'll be able to stream direct from the likes of Apple music (I think Spotify should be available shortly).

Just had a quick look on the EE website, it says you must have an iPhone on a SIM only or a pay monthly plan to connect to your watch, if that's correct that's going to rule it out for those of us with contracts elsewhere.

Fortunately my iphone contract is with EE.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by saltyamigo

Yes perfect if you're a runner especially if you like to listen to music while you run as you'll be able to stream direct from the likes of Apple music (I think Spotify should be available shortly).

Just had a quick look on the EE website, it says you must have an iPhone on a SIM only or a pay monthly plan to connect to your watch, if that's correct that's going to rule it out for those of us with contracts elsewhere.

You must have an EE iPhone too? Where's the logic in that?

I'm out.

[mpawood]

I have the series 2. I do think it is very good however I rarely think it would be better with a cellular chip. Generally you'll always be in range of your phone so it functions as the new one would anyway. When running, it's actually nice to get away from my phone. You can download music to the watch so can still run with music with the series 2.

You can pick up the series 2 for £250 now.

[saltyamigo]

Originally Posted by MarkG_M50d

You must have an EE iPhone too? Where's the logic in that?

I'm out.

Agreed, was similar when they launched the original iphone it was only available on o2. EE must have paid for exclusive rights, other networks will follow but not sure when. I was with EE for a long time but switched to Three as their SIM only deal was much cheaper and you can use your minutes and data in the USA where we normally go for our holidays.

[Nobby Clark]

It's technology for technology's sake.

I can only see a use if you can't carry your phone but for the few times you can't, strike that, the few times it's awkward to carry a phone it's not worth the cash.

[F30Andy]

I hate mobile phones.

Without me even calling anyone my phone rings an average of 100 times a day. Add on all the SMS and Whatsapps it also gets and you may be able to understand why I hate the phone.

The last thing I want is another one strapped to my wrist.

[mcoops]

Originally Posted by mpawood

I have the series 2. I do think it is very good however I rarely think it would be better with a cellular chip. Generally you'll always be in range of your phone so it functions as the new one would anyway. When running, it's actually nice to get away from my phone. You can download music to the watch so can still run with music with the series 2.

You can pick up the series 2 for £250 now.

This. The series 2 is worth having over the 1 for GPS and water resistance. But if you're on a run do you really want to take a phone call? I can see the value in a few years when Siri is actually any use and you just want to ask a question without needing your phone, but the AI is still too primitive right now.

[saltyamigo]

Yes, if you do decide on a Series 2 get one quickly as Apple have discontinued them so they only now offer the option of Series 1 starting at £249 or Series 3 starting at £329. There doesn't appear to be much difference between the Series 2 and the non LTE Series 3 watches other than the faster processor.

[MrChumley]

Seems a bit weird they've discontinued the 2 but still sell the 1. Maybe there's a logical reason for that?

[MarkG_M5Comp]

A watch with sim would be perfect for me - I now use my company phone only for calls with calls from my personal diverted.

I could then read the text on the watch only but not have to answer any calls.

[saltyamigo]

Originally Posted by MrChumley

Seems a bit weird they've discontinued the 2 but still sell the 1. Maybe there's a logical reason for that?

I don't think there is enough difference between the Series 2 and 3 to keep both. Main differences between Series 1 and the others are Series 1 has no built in GPS and it's just splash resistant not water resistant to 50m.

[MrChumley]

Originally Posted by saltyamigo

I don't think there is enough difference between the Series 2 and 3 to keep both. Main differences between Series 1 and the others are Series 1 has no built in GPS and it's just splash resistant not water resistant to 50m.

Sounds reasonable.

If I was going to get a 3 I'd want GPS only and a stainless steel case - that doesn't seem to be an option at the moment so I'll give it a miss for now.

[mcoops]

Originally Posted by MarkG_M50d

A watch with sim would be perfect for me - I now use my company phone only for calls with calls from my personal diverted.

I could then read the text on the watch only but not have to answer any calls.

Does anyone know if the 2 or 3 support pairing with more than one phone? I have a work and personal iPhone and find it irritating that I can only get messages from one of them on my first gen watch.