Exploring Life Without My iPhone and Apple Watch for a Month
Written on
Chapter 1: The Decision to Disconnect
Recently, I took the plunge and ordered a Casio G-Shock watch. This has been on my wishlist for a long time, but now I have a real reason to finally make the purchase. Since acquiring the first-generation Apple Watch back in 2015, I've not worn a conventional watch. For someone who has a passion for timepieces, that raises an interesting question: Has Apple truly mastered the art of watch-making, or have I simply become entrenched in their ecosystem?
To test my attachment, I’ve resolved to go without my iPhone and Apple Watch for an entire month.
The Epiphany
Last year, I had the pleasure of reviewing the impressive Google Pixel 4a. During a week-long holiday, I fell in love with it, yet I admitted that I couldn’t fully commit to Android due to my Apple Watch.
Can you survive a day without your iPhone?
Upon reflection, I realized that my reliance on the Apple Watch isn't as profound as I once believed. While the device has undeniably excelled in becoming a leading fitness tracker and notification hub, I now question its role in my day-to-day life.
Section 1.1: Reassessing My Usage
The Apple Watch has always been a remarkable gadget, impressing me from the start. Over the years, it has carved out a niche as a superb fitness tracker and a reliable notification device. While some may prefer alternatives like Garmin, I found the Apple Watch to be ideal for tracking runs and alerting me to messages.
But is that still true?
I used to be obsessed with closing my activity rings, often berating myself for missing a workout timer. Those colorful rings were my constant companions, visible every time I glanced at my wrist. However, my habits have shifted dramatically.
I've reverted to a basic watch face that only displays the time, date, and my next task. I haven't paid attention to my activity metrics for weeks, possibly even months, and this change wasn't intentional.
Section 1.2: Notifications and Social Interaction
While it's undeniably convenient to receive notifications on my wrist, it can feel quite impolite to check my watch during conversations. This aspect of the Apple Watch has always been its unspoken flaw. If you're aware of social cues, you'll recognize how awkward it can be to glance at your watch while someone is speaking to you.
Chapter 2: The iPhone Experience
As I noted in my review of the iPhone 12 Pro, we may have reached the peak of smartphone innovation.
After a week without my Apple Watch, what did I discover?
Honestly, the excitement surrounding the iPhone has faded. It feels like the most mundane product in Apple's lineup, especially with the recent introduction of the remarkable M1 chip and the promising future of the Mac. Leaving my iPhone on the desk for a month doesn’t seem particularly daunting.
Goodbye to Apple Devices
If you're familiar with my writing on Medium, you might recall my previous reluctance to part with my iPhone. That was before my moment of clarity. I began to reconsider my supposed loyalty to Apple products.
I do have concerns about the implications of stepping away from the ecosystem, particularly in terms of content sharing through Handoff. Nonetheless, I'm determined to go through with this experiment. With my G-Shock arriving today, I’m committing to a month of Android-only usage, leaving the Apple Watch and iPhone untouched.
My plan involves testing various Android devices, primarily because I'm reviewing several models, but the Pixel 4a has piqued my interest and may become my primary device during this experiment.
What Am I Aiming to Discover?
Good question. I suspect that my ties to the Apple ecosystem aren't as strong as I believed. The realization about my Apple Watch usage was pivotal; I primarily use it for timing my runs and, well... telling the time.
The Apple Watch offers a host of impressive features, including sophisticated sensors and innovative apps from third-party developers, but none of these have captured my interest lately.
Perhaps I need to broaden my horizons. Maybe my indifference towards the iPhone stems from taking its excellent design and engineering for granted. It's also possible that I've become so accustomed to the benefits provided by these devices that they've become a normal part of my life.
Or perhaps, I simply need a break.
Stay tuned for my reflections on this journey.