Where to Go from Here
If you’ve never used an Apple Watch — perhaps you bought this book in anticipation of purchasing one or receiving it as a gift — it might be best to power up the watch, turn it on, and follow the prompts to set it all up. Chapter 2 goes into this if you prefer to wait, or feel free to dive in with the watch before you fully crack the spine of this book. Your call based on your comfort level.
Regardless of which model you own — or plan on buying or receiving — you don’t need to know anything to begin reading Apple Watch For Dummies. All you need is your willingness to learn this exciting new wearable gadget, which should help add convenience, speed, and style to your everyday tasks.
Ready to start? Turn the page… .
Part 1
Getting to Know Apple Watch
IN THIS PART …
Learn how to set up your Apple Watch and discover its many features, including the Digital Crown button and the side button, and what aspects of Apple Watch make it unique from your iPhone.
Pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone and then learn about setting up a passcode and cellular connectivity, monitoring battery usage, and protecting your valuable investment.
Explore the many ways you can interact with your Apple Watch, including tapping, pressing, and swiping as well as conveniently accessing Siri with your voice to help you complete watch-related tasks.
Chapter 1
Watch This: Introducing Apple Watch
IN THIS CHAPTER
So, are you excited or what?
You’re a proud owner of the trendy Apple Watch. Or perhaps you purchased this book in anticipation of picking one up or receiving it as a gift. Either way, thank you for reading Apple Watch For Dummies, 4th Edition. This easy-to-read book has one goal in mind: to teach you everything you need to know about Apple Watch. With simple step-by-step instructions, clear images, and accessible tips and tricks, this book will help you gain the most from your new wearable gadget.
In this chapter, I walk you through the basics of Apple Watch to help you discover what this teeny wrist-mounted computer is capable of. You find out about the different parts of the watch — on the outside and inside — as well as the layout of the Home screen. From ways to interface with content on the watch to the hidden wireless technologies to integrated sensors that track your moves, you’ll soon have a clear picture of the 21st-century magic you’re wearing on your wrist.
It’s a beefy chapter, so let’s get to it.
Exploring the Different Apple Watch Collections
Apple Watch comes in a few different sizes and configurations. For Series 1, Series 2, and Series 3 watches, you have a choice of a screen that’s either 38 millimeters (about 1.5 inches) or 42 millimeters (roughly 1.65 inches).
For Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE (a less expensive model introduced in 2020), sizes measure 40 mm (1.57 inches) or 44 mm (1.73 inches), but they have narrower “bezels” (borders); therefore, the watch face is virtually all screen (and it’s a beauty).
Although you’ve likely already bought a watch before buying this book, note that there are a few different versions of Apple Watch options available today — with the most popular version, Apple Watch Series 6, shown in Figure 1-1 — and a few accessories you can purchase to customize your watch. For a more extensive discussion about the Apple Watch collections, or for when you want to convince a friend or coworker that he or she needs an Apple Watch, visit apple.com/watch.
FIGURE 1-1: The most popular Series 6 Apple Watch has multiple band colors, styles, and material options, too.
Excluding the various bands you can buy from Apple, the five different Apple Watch options are:
Apple Watch Series 3: Although not the newest Apple Watch available, this model was the first to offer either a GPS chip — to accurately capture location information — or a GPS and cellular option. More on this later in this chapter.
Apple Watch Series 6: At the time of writing this book, this is the latest Apple Watch, which debuted in the fall of 2020. Along with new band materials and styles, it added an even better “always on” screen, blood-oxygen monitor, always-on altimeter, and more (which I cover in this book, of course).
Apple Watch SE: Much like the less expensive iPhone SE, Apple Watch SE is meant to give you premium features at a more affordable price. It includes a great-looking Retina display, advanced sensors to track your movement and sleep, and more.
Apple Watch Nike+: Ideal for fitness types who like the Nike brand, this special edition Apple Watch Series 4 (and special loop band) was designed to be your running partner and synchronizes with the Nike Run Club app and Nike Training Club app.
Apple Watch Hermès: A partnership between Apple and Hermès, this fashion-centric watch includes bold, colorful (and extra-long wraparound) leather bands and an exclusive new watch face.
You also have a ton of choice when it comes to material you want in an Apple Watch, and what style band to choose from. In fact, with Apple Watch Series 6, you can go with aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, or ceramic! See Figure 1-2.
In the fall of 2019, Apple also announced Apple Watch Studio, a website that lets you choose a case and pair any band. Try it out for yourself at apple.com/shop/studio.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Despite there being nearly 200 countries on Earth, only