Politely prepare for Cupertino's wearable with these 5 tips for Apple Watch etiquette
The Apple Watch might make you more efficient, connected, and healthier, but if you’re considering adding “an all-round better person” to that list, then think again. In fact, Cupertino’s smartwatch, which can be preordered now from the Apple Online Store, might even transform you from your polite, mild-mannered self into, well … the kind of person nobody likes.
How could this be so, you ask? Take a look at Lauren Goode’s “five tips for Apple Watch etiquette,” a new (and, frankly, hilarious) video from Re/code, which outlines the darker side of strapping a $600 computer to your wrist.
If you can’t see the above video, please click this link.
I have to admit, I’ve been playing through similar situations in my head since preordering the Apple Watch on Friday; in particular, the “Activate on Raise Wrist” feature, which allows users to enable their smartwatch’s display and even check on notifications with a simple raise of the arm, seems pretty dangerous. You see, while this physical gesture indeed allows Watch owners to respond to the gentle, discrete, and unobtrusive “tap notification” they’ll receive when an iMessage or email reaches their iPhone, there’s nothing less discrete (or, for that matter, more rude) than rather blatantly checking your watch while talking to another person. Add a couple of screen swipes into the mix, plus a twist and press of the Digital Crown, and we can guarantee you’ll swiftly find yourself residing in etiquette hell.
This, combined with some of Goode’s other observations, could mean the Apple Watch turns you into a digitally-connected monster come April 24. Do be sure to carefully follow Goode’s rules of etiquette and, hopefully, you won’t offend too many people once Cupertino’s wearable finds its new home on your wrist.
See also: The top 10 iPhone apps you are currently not using, System Monitor for iOS, the all-in-one system health app, gets a long overdue update, and LinkedIn’s new app seeks to ‘elevate’ employees and companies’ professional brands.
