I do not care a lot for watch apps, however I’m giving them a second probability

My preliminary bias in opposition to each Wear OS watches and Apple Watches was that wrist-based apps felt too restricted when my telephone was at all times proper there. Why not purchase a “dumber” watch that lasts per week or two as a substitute if I do not want apps? I’ve even spoken to a number of avid Wear OS customers who love having actionable notifications and Google Assistant, however once I requested them what their favourite Wear OS apps have been, they could not consider any.

So I do know I’m not alone on this feeling; until you purchase a standalone LTE watch particularly to depart your telephone at dwelling, you are in all probability not going to make use of the apps all that always — except for apparent ones like exercises or answering calls.

But as I’ve begun to make use of watches just like the Pixel Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Ultra extra extensively, I’ve shocked myself and located a number of Google apps that I hardly ever use on my telephone however love to make use of on my watch. Most lately, I’ve had a mini-love affair with the Recorder app — which was added in Wear OS 5 — and Google Keep Notes.

As a lot as I depend upon Gmail, Drive, and Chrome each day, I primarily use them on my laptop computer until I’m out and about. Otherwise, I discover it onerous to get hooked up to any explicit Google app or instrument after they’re prone to get deprecated (aka Killed by Google™) at any given second.

However, my new Wear OS focus and these voice-based apps are rekindling my enthusiasm for Google apps, and now I’m on the hunt to search out extra Wear OS apps which can be really enjoyable to make use of.

I’m not thrilled that, in my mid-30s, I appear to neglect lots today until I write it down. I faucet out telephone notes or add reminders to my to-do app, nevertheless it’s not at all times handy, and I often spit out some rapid-fire textual content that is smart on the time however is gibberish later.

Now, I’ve began utilizing the Google Recorder app and Tile to take audio notes that sync to my Pixel 9. Later, I can generate a transcript to repeat to different apps; it additionally syncs to recorder.google.com.

I want I might edit its imperfect transcripts or see them on the watch itself, nevertheless it’s definitely higher than having no textual content in any respect! Recorder is useful for recording assembly notes on the fly with out having to awkwardly maintain my telephone out. And I am unable to stress sufficient how helpful the Recorder app has turned out for random moments of my day.

After coaching runs, I’ve taken to recording post-run summaries of the way it went, any cool issues I noticed, and objectives for future runs; afterward, I copy the transcript over to a Google Doc, add my Strava stats and any photographs, and identical to that, I’ve a full-on working diary that feels extra natural than typing all the things out later.

(I additionally tried doing this with my Garmin Fenix 8, however the lack of telephone syncs and transcription makes its recorder app much less helpful, for now.)

I used to jot down notes of my weirdest goals to recollect later, however squinting half-awake at my telephone display screen was annoying, and the notes by no means made a lot sense. Seriously, attempt to perceive this one: “Thanksgiving, Jedi/yoda, headless horseman chasing me and cloned itself.” That’s an actual dream word I made.

Now, I’ve taken to sneaking into the lavatory and whispering out a fast dream abstract with the door closed so I do not get up my companion. They’re nonetheless nonsense, however I can describe the nonsense with extra context as a result of I’m not restricted by thumb-typing pace. Now, the subsequent time I’m menaced by a headless horseman on Thanksgiving, I’ll have extra info to go on.

I’m not going out of my method to make use of the Recorder app, and it is nonetheless generally simpler to sort out issues I need to bear in mind. But I like having the choice.

Google Keep Notes: Checking off my day

I’ve been utilizing the Microsoft To Do app to maintain myself organized for private objectives, chores, packing lists, and so forth since earlier than Microsoft purchased it (bear in mind Wunderlist?). So I’ve by no means felt the necessity to use Google Keep.

But since there is no Wear OS To Do app, I’ve taken to creating to-do lists in Keep each Monday morning after which checking them off my wrist all through the work week so I do not lose observe of any objectives.

I additionally use Keep’s voice-transcribed word operate for a similar cause because the Recorder app: to remind myself of issues later with out having to search out and unlock my telephone or sort issues out. I do know I might do this simply as simply within the cell app, however I like the way in which Wear OS feels extra informal and fast for these apps.

Limited, with a lot potential

My preliminary skepticism nonetheless applies to quite a lot of different Wear OS apps. The preliminary time saved through the use of Wear OS is often offset by the small show, the finicky touchscreen for typing issues out on slightly QWERTY keyboard, and the unreliable transcript when utilizing voice-to-text.

Now, I’m blissful to provide Wear OS apps a second shot and acknowledge that I haven’t got to tug out my telephone for all the things. But I’m additionally hoping that the latest deal with Gemini AI will make its method to Wear OS watches in order that apps can profit from higher smarts relating to voice-to-text and instructions. I nonetheless do not need to spend any time typing on a watch if I will help it.

Do you might have a favourite Wear OS app that you simply desire to make use of over the traditional Android cell model? I’m in search of future apps to spotlight on this column and can fortunately take any suggestions!