Am I a bit late in the Apple Watch review game? Maybe. Do I care? Not really! This is my personal review of an Apple Watch 42mm Sport Edition, 1 month and 28 days in use. Most likely I won’t add anything new to the world of reviews, but to experience and speak about same issues as other people may help you nevertheless. After using Apple Watch for 8 weeks and 2 days I have to admit, that the main functionality of the watch to me is, telling the time – and that’s a good thing. In the first couple of days I was desperately trying to use the device in all possible moments: answering calls, writing (dictating) text messages, navigating and checking Instagram – none of them really make sense on a device worn on your wrist.

Most Useful

It is a watch, so guess what – the most useful features are all time & date related. Especially when your hands are full or dirty (cooking) it is super easy to use the voice assistant Siri to set up timers and reminders, start stop watch or add calendar entries. Siri makes so much more sense on your wrist, than in your pocket.

Dictating in general works great, short messages are composed quickly. But you won’t do that in public, speaking to a watch is just a tiny bit more socially recognized than wearing Google Glass I guess. Besides time-related features some iPhone Apps take advantage of the watch and bring useful features to your wrist:

Citymapper

The best public transport app in the world got even better. No more not knowing how to get from A to B (without staring on your phone) or not knowing when the next bus is arriving. Raise your wrist and see if you should better call an Uber.

Uber

One tap and your Uber is requested. The service (here in London at least) simply is great and it never was easier to use (if you don’t have an Uber Account yet, get one and use guvcd as a promo code to get your first ride free).

Passbook & traveling

We stay in the transport section but move to long-distance: having tickets on your phone was great, having it on your wrist is even more convenient. Lufthansa did quite a nice job with the Apple Watch App, accompanying you to your destination.

Fitness

I used a Nike Fuelband before, now I use my Apple Watch to track every step and movement of me. If you’re doing some kind of sport, it definitely is a good device to track you motion, including your heart rate. I haven’t tested accuracy of the heart rate measurement, but for a non-professional it should be accurate enough. Runtastic did a fantastic (gnhihi) job in bringing the most useful features to the watch.

Biggest disappointments

I didn’t have too much expectations, so I’m not really disappointed with anything. Nevertheless, the responsiveness of Apps sometimes really sucks. I know it is a first generation device and I know we will see some improvements even in that generation, but when you are used to see information instantly on your smartphone or tablet, waiting 5 seconds to have the weather forecast on your wrist simply is annoying. Same goes for almost every app, but hopefully will be improved when having native Apps.

Apple Remote App

Seriously Apple? I can only control the volume, skip to the next (the previous) song and press pause or play when controlling my music on my server? Please bring Music App like integration to my wrist (choosing Artists, Albums, Songs, Playlists)!

Biggest needs

I want always on as a feature. Android Wear devices have it and I need it. Primary need when raising my wrist is to look at the time, but unfortunately not always the screen lightens up. So please, a power-saving always on-option.
Native Apps are coming, and they are needed. The responsiveness of apps (from launching to first screen) sometimes is terrible. Additionally third-party developers need access to all sensors (having a heart rate sensor which can’t be accessed by third-party apps is plain stupid).
While living in the UK, I already got rid of cash. Now please let me get rid of credit cards as well (at least for small amount transactions). Apple Pay is coming to the UK and that is great. Not pulling out my Oyster Card for the Tube or Busses and paying at the supermarket with a device on my wrist will be awesome.

One more thing…

Battery life is not an issue! Apple Watch truly is a second screen. While Tablets & Smartphones are becoming our first screen devices in terms of usage, Apple Watch helps you to passively check stuff or do small tasks – you won’t end up checking your Instagram or Twitter stream on it, phoning with your Mum or write (dictate) books on it. I end the day by having more than 70% of battery left, which at least leads to three days of usage without charging (yeah, that’s 500 days less than with your cool Casio watch…) and that is more than enough for a device with that functionality.