Tips and Tricks of Using the Apple Watch – Siri, Alerts and More

The Apple Watch was announced sometime back and now that this device is already in the market, there is a lot that you really need to learn, in order to unleash the full power of this amazing wrist watch.

Back then, when this watch was announced, very few people had even a rough idea of how the watch would look like and now that we’ve finally had a glance at how this device looks like, it is time to learn more about using the Apple Watch. Whether this phone will be a hit in the market is still a question that only time can answer. However, there is word on the street that Apple has already sold more than 2 million units of the Apple Watch. This is despite the fact that there are pre-orders that are meant for July delivery, since Apple has not yet rolled out all the models that are expected for this device.

This is just a slight indicator of what destiny this watch has in its hands. However, Apple has the advantage of being a known brand, boasting premium devices that are usually priced heavily and no wonder, there are users who will still buy the $17,000 model just because it is from Apple.

If you are a gadget lover, the sight of the Apple Watch will bring sheer delight in you; however, others see this as a chance to mock the upper class, with quotes like “the Apple Watch is worth the price of a kidney” flooding numerous social media platforms. Better still, the Apple Watch has a lot to offer and this has nothing to do with the swag that many think this watch is all about. In this regard, here are a few tips and tricks you could put to use as you try to find your way around this prestigious Apple Watch.

Using Siri

Siri is the popular voice assistant from Apple that the users of Mac OS X and iOS enjoy on their devices. Now that the Apple Watch has arrived, Siri has found a new partner and for sure, the two are doing great. All you need is say something to your watch and the tasks will automatically be executed. With the screen size of the Apple Watch, the icons are obviously small. To open Siri, you can either say “Open Siri” after pressing the digital crown or simply say “Hello Siri”.

Mute alerts

Alerts can be a very good thing indeed; but, wait until you are in a meeting and one of your crazy alerts sounds. Don’t wait for this embarrassing moment to hit you; instead, turn off the Apple Watch alerts by going to the Apple Watch app and then tap on “Sound and Haptics”. Follow this by clicking on “Cover to mute” and then cover your watch’s display for a few seconds. This will enable you to easily turn the Apple Watch alerts to mute.

Accessibility

To ease the accessibility of the Apple Watch, Cupertino developers opted for two crucial features. These are the ‘Voice Over’ feature and the ‘Zoom’ feature. To activate the accessibility features of the Apple Watch, click on the digital crown thrice. The features must also be activated on your iPhone and to do it, tap on “My Watch>General>Accessibility>Accessibility shortcuts”. You also have the option of using Siri to do all these. All you need is to request this voice assistant to do the tasks of Voice Over and Zooming.

Screenshots

Taking a screenshot using the Apple Watch is a very easy undertaking; however, some of us find it a little confusing. If you want to take a screenshot, you’ll have to simultaneously click on the digital crown as well as the side knob.

-  PAU

Apple Watch - Essential tips and tricks

  

Use it as a remote shutter release

The Apple Watch comes with a native camera app on the home screen - look for the camera icon and tap on it to start.

It also works as a viewfinder. Tap the virtual button to snap a picture. The other virtual button triggers a burst of 10 pictures.

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Take a screenshot

Found something interesting on the watch display which you want to share? No need to snap a photo with your Apple iPhone.

Hit the Digital Crown and Side Button simultaneously to take a screenshot that will be stored on the Camera Roll of your paired iPhone.

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Use it as a remote control for your Mac or Apple TV

The watch doubles as a remote for a Mac or Apple TV. The devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network as the iPhone paired with the watch. Find the Remote app on the home screen of the watch, tap on it and follow the on-screen instructions.

Swiping on the watch to navigate the Apple TV interface is much easier than using Apple TV's physical remote control.

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Deleting all notifications

Not all notifications may show up all the time, but they are all there, and can be accessed by swiping down from the top of the display.

If, for any reason, you want to delete all notifications, do a force touch on the notifications screen and tap the Clear All option when it appears.

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Sync your favourite Playlist

You can control your music playback with the watch's Music app. You can also copy a favourite Playlist to the Apple Watch and listen to the music even when your iPhone is out of Bluetooth range, because the music will be stored in the 8GB of storage on the watch.

Go to My Watch >Music. Under Synced Playlist, choose a Playlist to sync. The size of the playlist cannot exceed 2GB.

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Alter default Messages responses

You can rewrite the few default replies for Messages in the Watch app. Go to My Watch >Messages >Default Replies. Choose any reply and key in your own custom reply. For example, you can amend "I'm on my way" to "Coming soon, lah!".

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Switch on Power Reserve mode

If you think the battery of your Apple Watch is running too low, you can turn on the Power Reserve mode manually and just use the watch for timekeeping for up to 72 hours.

Hold down the Side Button to bring up the Power Reserve option. Slide it to Power Reserve mode.

-   ST

How to Increase Apple Watch Home Screen App Icons Size

It has been noticed that tapping on the icons in Apple Watch is confrontational because of the small size of the icons but we are making it quite easy for you by increasing the size of the icons.

Small sized icons usually brings up lot of frustration and annoyance when you are in hurry and want to launch an app but you keep on tapping the other app icons causing delay in your work and increasing excessive battery usage. However, increasing the icons size reduces some of the 3D motion effects but if you cannot tap any icon it does not matter how nice it looks or if you have longer fingers it is the same thing. By increasing the size of the icons on the apple watch screen makes it easier to tap on the icons during on rush hours or so.

We have outlined these easy steps that you can follow to achieve the desired result.

1.       Tap on the settings app on your Apple Watch

2.       Tap General

3.       Tap Accessibility

4.       Turn on the reduce motion option

Simple! Now you can feel the difference between sizes of your Apple Watch’s icons as compared to previous ones. It will allow an easy usage of your Apple Watch. By enlarging the size of your icons you can easily tap on the particular icon which you want to open.

-   ordoh

How to Install or Uninstall Apps on your Apple Watch

Apple Watch has taken App Store by a storm. With apps specifically designed for Apple Watch ranging up to 3500 with numbers being increased every day it is very difficult to find the right apps for your Watch. There are going to be times when you will download an app but will not like it that much and may need to get rid of it. We have outlined basic steps about how you can onboard an app and how to get rid of it as well so you are fully prepared to welcome your Watch.

Installing an App

Step 1:  Open Apple Watch on your synched iPhone

Step 2:  Scroll down to find apps that are compatible with your Apple Watch so you can install them and select them

Step 3:  Now you will see a Toggle that say “Show App on Apple Watch”. Toggle it on so the app can be installed

Doing this will start installation of your desired app on your Apple Watch via Bluetooth. If the list do not have an app that you need you can download it from App Store. Simply tap on Featured to see all the highlighted apps developed specifically for Apple Watch that you can download for some price or for free.

Uninstalling an App

You can off board an app through two different methods. First one is simple; just do opposite of whatever we highlighted on top for you i.e.

Step 1:  Open Apple Watch app on your synched iPhone

Step 2:  Scroll down toward app(s) that you want to uninstall

Step 3:  Look for “Show App on Apple Watch” with toggle turned On. Turn it Off to uninstall that particular app. Any Glances installed will also be removed by the same way

You can also uninstall apps directly from your Apple Watch in the similar way that you use to uninstall apps on your iPhone or iPad i.e.

Step 1:  Tap and hold the app that you want to uninstall

Step 2:  Look for a little X that will appear on the top left corner of the app icon. Tapping it will uninstall the app

That is enough for today. Go into the market, find your favorite apps or try installing new ones since you know how to get rid of them once you do not find them interesting or necessary.

-   ordoh

Top 3 Features Android Wear Has Over Apple Watch

From the moment Apple announced the Apple Watch, the buzz surrounding the first smartwatch from the Cupertino based company was getting bigger and bigger.

It is so as people forgot that Google already had a smart watch and a whole new operating system for it. The Android Wear line currently includes not more than five smart watches, with more to come. And in some aspects, the Android Wear line is much better than the Apple watch. Here are three features that fall in that section.

Phone-free Functionality

Unlike the Apple Watch, some of the smart watches in the Android Wear line can function as individual devices. The Apple Watch, on the other hand, functions only when it is synced with an iPhone. Take the iPhone out, and you are left with a fancy looking watch you can only tell time with. The Apple Watch will count your steps, but the data must be synced with your iPhone. On the other hand, some models in the Android Wear line offer GPS and Wi-Fi connection. In essence, this helps you check your Twitter feed, monitor and track morning runs without an eligible phone near you. Also important, Google has allowed third party apps for the Android Wear. At the moment, Android Wear is more of a standalone device than the Apple Watch is.

Google Now

Google Now is a voice assistant much like Siri, but the difference in the way the assistant works is what makes Google Now much better option. Google Now for Android Wear displays information at the specific moment you need it. The feature is much more than a voice assistant. In fact, Google Now is a virtual assistant available at your wrist. Some of the things you can do with Google Now on Android Wear is to scan your Gmail account, travel history, search history and much more. The feature then adjusts to you, and displays information that is valuable for you.

Customization

Customization is a big advantage Android has over iOS, and it is the same comparison here. While Android Wear can be customized to every limit, the Apple Watch is much stricter when it comes to the operating system. With Android Wear you can change the on screen settings, use alternative launchers, or create watch faces with the help of applications. Simply put, your Android Wear represents your style and character. The Apple Watch is more unified device across all Apple users.

-  ordoh

Ways to Manage Notifications on Apple Watch

Apple Watch supports notifications that come on from your synched iPhone. You can adjust the frequency and apps from your iPhone to properly manage them and get the most out of your Watch as well.

Apple Watch became famous before its launch for one single reason that it will shorten the time taken by an individual to go through their phone for something they deem important enough to spend time on. But with the advent of apps of different genres some do not comply with the need of keeping their user unaware of any activity. For example if you are tired of Instagram sending you notifications every time someone likes or comments on your picture then you probably need to tweak up your Apple Watch a little.

There are some easy steps that you can follow to properly manage your notifications and halt any apps that you do not want to hear from.

Step 1:  Open the Apple Watch app from your iPhone to begin your operation

Step 2:  Select Notifications from the available list of options

Step 3:  Opening Notifications will provide you a long list of apps that you have installed on your Apple Watch or iPhone. If there is a system app installed by default then you will find it on top of the list but if it is a secondary app that you downloaded later from App Store then it will mentioned in the later part of the list

Step 4:  Select Name of the app that you want to customize

Step 5:  Remember that third party apps (secondary apps) can only have an option to turn their notifications On or Off. If you plan to turn them Off they will not show on your Apple Watch but will continue to buzz your iPhone every time something worth noticing happens.

You need to keep a check on your Notifications settings every time you install a new app as every new app comes with their own default settings that is usually configured in a way to keep their user updated all the time about every single happening.

-   ordoh