I've ordered the new Apple Watch Ultra. I have a set of AirPod Pros (gen 1). I intend to use it primarily for running. I believe I can stream Spotify back to my headphones for music, and track the run on GPS with the watch. What I'm wondering (since it is a cellular version), is can I take calls, and texts, through the watch if I leave my phone in the car or at home? Anyone done this? For as seldom as I do voice calls on my phone, it seems if the technology works as I think it might, that this would be an ideal solution.

Granted, I got rid of my Apple Watch after the 5 because I wanted to upgrade to a Garmin Fenix, that said, because I have an iPhone I cannot use my Garmin as in phone option.

As long as you have a data plan on your watch, then yes, you can use it as a primary phone. I used to do that with mine quite often, when I would leave my phone in my desk drawer and walk around the building using primarily my watch to answer calls or to send and receive text messages. Siri is surprisingly good on that function.

ETA - as much as I like my Garmin, I do miss what the Apple Watch used to offer. I am closely watching people’s satisfaction with the ultra and may consider making a change back to the Apple.

Yes, I do it all the time.

As long as you have a wireless signal.

I walk w/out my phone, just my watch. I listen to podcast, track my walk, heart rate, pace…respond to texts and emails, and can take call…all from my watch with EarPods.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

Indeed! It's about time!

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
Granted, I got rid of my Apple Watch after the 5 because I wanted to upgrade to a Garmin Fenix

What drove you from Apple back to Garmin? I use a Garmin 245 now for running. My wife went from Apple Watch to a Garmin 245 also because the GPS tracking was wonky and her distance was often off of mine on the same run. And we trusted the Garmin GPS over that Apple Watch then, but with the dual freq GPS, I'm assuming it'll be better now.

quote:

What drove you from Apple back to Garmin?

It was irritating to me that I could not go away for the weekend have to charge my watch.

Occasionally, I like to go solo camping; with the Garmin I can use GPS and maps and still go well over a week without having to charge.

Not to mention, I think the Garmin feels and looks more rugged on my wrist than the Apple Watch. From a function standpoint the biggest difference is that I can receive text messages on my Phoenix, I just can’t respond to them or answer phone calls because I don’t have it paired with an android.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ronin1069,

As a runner I ditched my Garmin for Apple Watch. It’s way better for my use of tracking run numbers. That being said the battery life is for shit which is why I don’t use it as a primary watch. The cell phone functionality is wicked cool though.

I use my watch as a phone from time to time. I live near the beach so when we go I don’t take my phone or wallet. I’ve got a picture of my license on my watch, Apple Pay on the watch and I can make and receive phone calls. It’s extremely convenient to not have to worry about leaving valuables on the beach or in my car.

I was under the impression that the watch had to be paired with your phone and within a certain distance (bluetoothish). Are they stand alone devices now?

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
I was under the impression that the watch had to be paired with your phone and within a certain distance (bluetoothish). Are they stand alone devices now?

They can be depending on setup.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

I was under the impression that the watch had to be paired with your phone and within a certain distance (bluetoothish). Are they stand alone devices now?

Your impression is correct for some models of the Watch. They are available with or without stand-alone capability.

With the cellular service provider that I use, there is a ten dollar monthly charge to add the Apple Watch to an existing iPhone service plan.

If you do have a Watch without cellular capability, or if the Watch does have this capability but you do not have it on a service plan, then it acts the way that you stated, a short distance (bluetooth) remote device for the phone.

as THEIR PHONE?

Yes. You can talk to your watch like Dick or you can connect Airpods to it. The watch has fall detection, heart attack detection, and will automagically call 911 if you are unresponsive after any medical emergency. Use with confidence.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
as THEIR PHONE?

Ba Bum Buuuuuuum!

But seriously!, RiGht!???? I mean, I would think this would be an entire counter-culture given the implications of not having to carry a plank of electronics in your poCket! Think, hypermilers, or people that order coffee using Italian words to describe the size they want. WTH is going on with this world if we're not rabidly embracing that your watch can be your Stereo, Telephone, Television (albeit small one), Calculator, Credit Card, Text message device, GPS system, Boarding Pass, Electrocardiogram, Stock Ticker, Web browser, and by extension to that, well,... nearly everything else that exists.

This is what leads me to question WTH I'm missing here!? I am so very annoyed by having to always carry a phone.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: r0gue,

Can the watch be on the same number as your cell phone or is there a way to forward calls immediately from the iPhone to the watch when left behind? I would not want to have multiple phone numbers.

quote:

Originally posted by bettysnephew:
Can the watch be on the same number as your cell phone or is there a way to forward calls immediately from the iPhone to the watch when left behind? I would not want to have multiple phone numbers.

Yes. When you receive a call on your phone, your watch (and iPads) will all ring too. As long as you are paying the extra $10/month for a data plan on the watch, it will still ring with calls to your phone regardless of where your phone might be.

How usable is the display? I need it to support Apple Pay, view calendar (day or week, at least day), simple texting including Teams, reading email and ideally browsing.

Does this just provide relief for phone services? Or more generally?

No but I have a Maxwell Smart Android shoe phone.

quote:

Originally posted by r0gue:
This is what leads me to question WTH I'm missing here!? I am so very annoyed by having to always carry a phone.

Every once in a while I’ll head out to work on the ranch only to realize I forgot my phone (usually ‘cause I hooked it up to the computer the night before to charge and sync and it wasn’t with my “stuff” when I got going). Do I take the five minutes to drive back to the house and get it? Heck NO!

18 or so years ago I lost my Motorola V60 (I think that was the model number) while installing culvert pipe for the drop inlets along the side of the main ranch road before paving. I found it the next day, crushed, apparently having been run over with a 30,000# excavator. The three days it took to get the insurance replacement phone (that almost made sense then, no longer) were three of the most blissful, peaceful, and productive days I can remember.

Recently, I’ve gone to running my phone in silent mode. I already often couldn’t hear it over the equipment, so I wasn’t losing a ton. Now the only time I know someone has called or texted (turned off email notifications) is if I pull the phone out and look. It isn’t quite as good as leaving the phone turned off and only turning it on to make a call (really using it as an output only device), but it is pretty nice.

The list of things we have to do in this life* does not include having, much less carrying, a phone. It is still a choice.

*Die and pay income taxes. And I’m told that one can legally avoid income taxes if one doesn’t mind being a bum.