It’s been a week since I received my Apple Watch, and have had enough time to write about a few things that have surprised me about Apple Watch.

The packaging is surprisingly beautiful

Unboxing my Apple Watch

When the delivery guy knocked on my door, I expected a small square box. Instead, he handed me a long, rectangular package. For a minute, I questioned if the package was for me, but sure enough it was.

The watch comes in a white box with “ WATCH” etched on the outside. Similarly to the iPhone boxes, the top of the box slides away from the bottom, releaving a plastic white case containing the watch itself. The top of the plastic case contains a simple “”. The plastic case itself had a felt very solid when held. Inside, sat the Apple Watch, ready for you to pick it up and try it on.

Battery life lasts all day

The battery life lasts longer than a day

I was pretty worried about the battery life on Apple Watch. I had heard that you would need to charge the watch daily, and was worried that it would barely last all day at all. I was pleasantly surprised when at the end of each night, I still had 30–40% battery left.

As far as charging the watch every day is concerned, it’s not a big deal. I already charge my phone every night, so taking off the watch before going to sleep isn’t inconvenient in any way. The charger is different from iPhone and iPad, instead it is a round fob that magnetically attaches to the back of the watch, and it sits nicely next to my iPhone.

Notifications on your wrist are very helpful

I really like how notifications were implemented with Apple Watch. When you receive a notification, the watch taps your wrist and makes a chime sound. To view the notification, you can simply raise your arm naturally and the display automatically lites up displaying the notification itself. I find myself spending less time twiddling with my iPhone in meetings as I can easily glance at my watch.

One thing that I will say though is that you have to be mindful of looking at your watch constantly while in conversations or meetings, because people could get the impression that you are in a hurry to end the conversation or to wrap up the meeting. Very quickly, you learn to ignore the watch notifications and make sure that the people around you know that they have your undivided attention.

The usefulness of the way Apple Watch does notifications became apparent to me when I was on the way to the airport to pick up my mother, and I received a notification throught he United app, indicating that her flight had landed.

Siri has become the personal assistant I always wanted.

Siri is more helpful on your wrist than on your phone

Siri is a multitude of times more helpful on your wrist than on the iPhone. Although I use Siri in my car to initiate phone calls or to send quick text messages, I rarely use it when in my office or at home. Having Siri on your wrist makes a whole lot more sense that on iPhone, and I find myself relying on Siri more than ever before.

Among the things that you can do with Siri, you can launch apps, place and answer calls, create reminders, and send text messages, without picking up your phone. The process on Apple Watch is a lot more natural than flainging out your iPhone.

The Remote app is really helpful

For a long time now, Apple has provided an app for iOS devices that allow you to control your iTunes library and Apple TV. For a reason that I can’t put my finger on, I have not been a big user of the app, preferring the physical remote that comes with Apple TV. BUT, it works really well on Apple Watch. I’ve been using the Remote app on Apple Watch more and more since it works so well.

Surprisingly comfortable

I thought that the Sport band would be rubbery and uncomfortable. I have also worn watches in the past, and found that they leave a noticeable sweaty area on my wrist from where the watch was sitting. No, no sweat and the band itself is really comfortable.

Messaging is handy

Keeping in touch with my wife has never been easier

I touched a little bit on this already, but with the press of a button you have easy access to your favorite contacts. Although Siri is pretty accurate when transcribing text messages, there can be inaccuracies. If there are inaccuracies, you can always send a voice text message instead. Calls leverage your iPhone through Bluetooth technology, so you can leave your iPhone charging in one room, while you are in the other talking through the watch. The built-in speaker could be a little louder, but the microphone appears to provide clear audio.

Summary

Overall, I love my Apple Watch. It is a blend of miniaturization, dictation software, and wireless technology, that interplay together to provide a really nice user experience. I will say though that it is very much a convenience device. It’s not a “must have” device right now, but it does change how you interact with people and how you consume content.

Although Apple Watch can do things without your iPhone, it heavily realies on it to do some of the more compelling things that you would want to do. There are no third-party “native” apps for the watch right now, but Apple promises that third-party native apps are coming later this year. I’m sure that this will make the watch even more useful than it is currently.

Apple Watch is defintely the most personal device I have ever owned. I’m more aware of my activity level throughout the day, I am more health-aware than before, and am generally more aware of the things that are important to me. I also have easy and convenient access to the people that matter to me the most. There’s nothing wrong with that.

It also doesn’t hurt that the watch is well designed, and looks really good on your wrist! ☺