As is pretty typical for Apple, the company's first smartwatch wasn't the device that really kicked things off for that particular wearable market. That title belongs to Pebble. However, it was the Apple Watch that really kicked things into overdrive. As a result, Apple's device is the leader in the category now, with others hoping to catch up some day.
As a result, Apple has been tasked with making the Apple Watch even better and more feature-packed as the new models have shipped. Apple's trajectory has changed quite a bit from the company that announced a $10,000+ smartwatch in its first generation. The Apple-branded smartwatch is now more about offering the basic tasks, like media playback and taking calls, while also offering a whole host of health-related features to sweeten the deal.
Aside from the more extravagant comic book features, Apple really has launched the Dick Tracy smartwatch.
I don't take a lot of phone calls, but when I do I typically stick my AirPods in my ears and go about the conversation that way. It leaves my hands free to multitask, which is pretty useful when I'm trying to get things done and someone wants to talk to me at the same time. I own an Apple Watch, and while I've always wanted that Dick Tracy future with a watch I can make calls from, I've actually never done it. I just don't find it all that practical? But that's just me, because I've seen it used in the wild on two different occasions where at least one of those instances made sense.
The first time, I was at a birthday party that my friends were throwing for their kid. The mom had handed off her phone to the dad so that she could handle some presents. A few minutes later he had left the room, off to take care of something else, and the phone started ringing. Still holding a few packages in one hand, she used the Apple Watch to answer the call and go about the conversation. It was pretty handy!
The second time, however, just seemed really strange to me. I was walking around a busy mall and someone in front of me was having a chat with their wrist. People around the person could definitely hear the whole conversation because the Apple Watch's tiny speakers were blasting it out. What really threw me off was the person was using their phone in the other hand. I've never wanted to answer a call on speakerphone in public, and that certainly extends to using my Apple Watch as the speaker.
The most I've done when it comes to phone calls and the Apple Watch is hit the green button to answer the call and send the audio straight to my AirPods. But I've never actually wanted to use my Apple Watch as a way to talk to someone. Back when I was a kid and I was watching Dick Tracy do it? Yeah, it seemed futuristic and great. Now that I'm an adult I just want to use my phone the old-fashioned way and call it good.
What about you, though? Whether it's an Apple Watch or a Wear OS device that allows you to take calls, have you ever used your smartwatch to answer/make a call and have a conversation with it? Let me know!
