What I Didn't Buy Wednesday

Or rather, what Butch didn’t buy for me: An Apple Watch. At least not yet. But I think I want one. Still trying to decide.

Now don’t get me wrong—I love everything—APPLE. Well, maybe not the actual fruit. I like apples, but I LOVE Apple products. 

I have a Mac desktop—granted, it’s old, but it’s all I need. Actually, I don’t use it at all. It’s so old, there isn’t much I can do on it. It’s from all the way back to 2008! Really, all it does is look good in the space on my computer hutch in my office. Without it, that hutch would look stupid. The computer is so old that it is not compatible with any printers on the market today. But it is still going strong. There are all kinds of documents and my old classes on it. I can still access those, but if I were to want to print them, I would have to put them in an email to myself. I can still send and 

receive email on it. So, it just sits there looking pretty. No one can deny that Apple products look pretty! And they are so compact—they don’t have that extra huge component that all other computers have. I loved it while I was using it. Actually, this was my third Mac desktop starting in 1995. I loved them all--they were so slick looking!

I have a MacBook Air—my laptop—that I use exclusively and don’t/won't travel without. That’s where my life resides. I keep up with everything from my laptop: photos, email, my blog, the over 200 blogs I follow, paying my bills, any research I do (which is always something), make travel plans, restaurant reservations, ticket purchases, our joint calendar, etc. it goes on and on.

I have an iPad that I only use for a computer game I play while watching tv. I do not have it hooked up to the internet although I can when I am at home. I don’t because if it is connected to the internet, I have to put up with ads and commercials during my game. I’m so happy I didn’t let the “guy” at the store convince me I needed to pay monthly for internet access. I don't.

I have an iPod. Actually, I have a couple. They are old and I NEVER use them anymore. I’m not sure why I still keep them. We have a subscription to Spotify because of our sound system. You can have a free subscription, but then you have to put up with commercials. I don’t want that. Plus, when you pay for it, you can access it anywhere on any device. You can listen to any song or album you want, so the iPod is obsolete. I've created many playlists for myself across the genres.

I have an iPhone—actually, this is my third one. I held out for quite a while with getting an iPhone because I only use my phone as a phone. Now, I have to admit I love my iPhone because it integrates everything from photos to email and everything else. I love the integration even though I don’t access things on my phone very often. I use it for texting, but I am, admittedly, the slowest texter in the world. I’ll definitely check email once in a while, but not often—mostly while traveling. 

I have Apple AirPods—OMGosh! I love them so much. I listen to endless podcasts while walking. That’s what makes walking bearable. My podcasts actually motivate me to walk. I prefer walking with my AirPods than walking with someone.

I have the new AirTags—a Christmas present from Mindy and Justin. I only use them for travel. But, I'm thinking Butch should have his on him when he's out hiking or geo-caching so I'll know where he is should anything happen.

So, the bottom line is I have every Apple device known to man—EXCEPT—the Apple Watch. I love my “products.” I don’t even really love the Apple Watch. It’s kind of big and in my mind, unattractive. I don’t need all of the “things” it can do. I am never going to answer texts—if I know how slow I am on the phone, I cannot imagine how much slower I would be on my wrist on that tinier keyboard! I’m not going to talk on the phone via my wrist like an updated version of Maxwell Smart (if you are old enough to remember him, his shoe was his phone). I’m not even sure what else it can do. BUT, here’s the thing. I think I want it. Here’s why.

I think I want it for my health. So, I asked Butch to get it for me for Mother’s Day. We don’t even give each other gifts for minor holidays anymore. But somehow, getting it as a gift for a holiday seems to justify the cost. Of course, I would HAVE to have a designer band to go with it. 

Before buying it for me, Butch decided to poll the girls as they all have Apple Watches. He asked them exactly what they use their watches for. Here’s what they had to say:

Sandy—to count steps and tell time.

Stephanie—to count steps and tell time, read a text, and will use it for specific exercises. She also said that she would not buy another because of the expense and the fact that she does not take full advantage of the features.

Mindy—uses hers the most: tracking activities; heart rate; calories burned; linking to other Apple Watch users; taking part in challenges; accepting or rejecting phone calls based on convenience; same with texting; weather; can use Siri (she knows I use her--she doesn't); it’s waterproof and scratch resistant. Wow, that’s quite an endorsement. 

They ALL told their dad that he should get it for me because of how I love Apple products—and actually do take the time to learn the features. That’s true. Still, I’m not so sure I’m interested in learning stuff on my watch. 

Now for the one and only reason I want the Apple Watch: for the heart monitoring features. It just seems to me that at my age, it would be really nice to have something looking out for me. It alerts you if you fall—I’m pretty sure I would know that. But, if my heart starts doing something crazy, it would tell me. I’m pretty sure I would know that too. I do not have any heart problems. In fact, I’ve been told that my heart is excellent!! 

Maybe I don’t need it after all. I guess I don’t. On the other hand, I never wanted a Kindle either. Now I can't live without it. I have a feeling I might feel the same about the watch. 

If of you, dear readers, have an Apple Watch, let me know how you like it!