3 Years With The Apple Watch

How the Watch has become a solver of minor inconveniences.

- Alvin Soon

Consider this a three-year review. I’ve been there from the Apple Watch since it was first unveiled, from attending the keynote in Cupertino to wearing every iteration of the Watch’s three generations.

In that time, I’ve completely changed my mind about the Watch. In 2015, I dismissed the Watch, but today, it’s a device that I’m loath to part with. What’s changed?

Speed and usability, for one thing. The first Watch was a public beta more than anything, a curio for adventurous early adopters. It was too sluggish for everyday use, and launching apps was an exercise in patience. watchOS versions 1 and 2 were young, undefined, and still trying to find themselves.

The foundations, however, were there for Apple to build on. It was a good size and shape, and the craftsmanship was impressive for a mass manufactured product. The strap change system was genius.