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What do millennials really think about the Apple Watch?

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When visualizing the target demographic of most consumer tech companies, it’s likely that millennials would come in at the top of the list. Their shopping patterns haven’t hardened, and you don’t have to explain to them the difference between a text message and an email, as you do with older consumers who didn’t spend their adolescence with an iPhone glued to the center of their palms.

But even in our tech-savvy, digitally literate generation, some inventions still don’t get our blood pumping the way their makers may want them to. Take, for example, the Apple Watch, which in its first generation release, hasn’t achieved widespread adoption (likely because of its hefty price tag). So in order to figure out what millennials really think of the Apple wearable, Buzzfeed surveyed its editorial department to get the lowdown on the good and the bad of the gadget.

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It is notable that none of the Buzzfeeders surveyed (130 out of 500 responded) had to pay for their Apple Watches — rather, they were given out as bonuses back in June (how do I get into that office, right?).

“Overall,” Buzzfeed discovered, employees “said the Apple Watch added convenience to their lives and helped improve their health. But while most were glad to have the device, the majority felt it wasn’t worth its price ($350+) and said they wouldn’t recommend it to others.” Womp womp.

Just under two out of three respondents said they wore the watch every day, and a similar percentage noted that before the Apple device, they went watch-less on a daily basis. But when it came to some of the Apple Watch’s supposedly key features, few wearers actually said they made use of them. For example, 86 percent of respondents said they never used Apple Pay and 75 percent never used Passbook — rather, most people seemed most taken by notifications (for emails, texts, and alerts) and fitness tracking.

“I like it because it helps me check my phone less often, and ironically, I feel like I live less digitally these days,” one employee wrote. “I can put my phone away in my bag and not feel separation anxiety that I need to look at it every 30 seconds. (I can’t believe I just wrote that, but it’s true.) I also love the activity monitor and the workout app. It’s also become sort of an odd party trick, too, because everyone always wants to talk about it and see how it works.”

Still, in spite of its perks, a surprising 80 percent “wouldn’t recommend that someone else buy an Apple Watch” due to “limited app and overall functionality, less than desirable battery life, and a confusing interface.” As one respondent said, “Watches exist for two reasons: tell the time, and tell other people that you’re rich. This product shoved so many bells and whistles in there that it manages to do both but with such an added level of pretentiousness that I felt mostly embarrassed to be wearing it.”

So there you have it, friends. If you get one for free, embrace it. But otherwise, your millennial peers aren’t sold quite yet on the wonders of the Apple Watch.

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The best Apple Watch Series 6 tips and tricks
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The combination of the Apple Watch Series 6 and WatchOS 8 software is powerful. The last generation Apple Watch comes with a variety of useful features that can help in your daily life -- if you know how to use them. We offer a list of our favorite tips and tricks for getting the most out of the Series 6 in conjunction with WatchOS 8.
Zoom in and out using the Digital Crown
The Apple Watch Series 6 lets you zoom in or zoom out to have a closer look at the contents of your watch face. To use it, open Settings and scroll down to Accessibility. Tap to open it, and you’ll see the Zoom control, which is off by default. Toggle the switch on to launch Zoom and then double-tap on the screen using two fingers to enable size adjustments with the Digital Crown. You can also use the settings to specify the maximum amount of zoom you want. To zoom out, double-tap on the screen using two fingers and it will return the screen to normal viewing.
Ring your iPhone
Where, oh where, is your iPhone? If it's in silent mode and you've misplaced it, you can use your Apple Watch Series 6 to ping it. Open the Control Center on your watch and tap on the iPhone button. Your iPhone will then make a loud dinging sound -- even if it is silent mode -- signaling precisely where it is located.
Use your watch as a camera remote
Open the Camera Remote app on your Apple Watch 6 to automatically launch the Camera app on your iPhone. Then tap the shutter button on your watch or use the timer to snap a picture.
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The Apple Watch Series 6 has an always-on display, which allows it to show useful alerts and data without the need to activate or unlock. With Series 6, the always-on display is much brighter than previous models and incorporates direct control capabilities. You can tap for basic features  -- complications, notification center, and Control Center without unlocking the watch.
Activate Siri with wrist motion
Do you give Siri commands via the Apple Watch? The Series 6 has a super-handy intuitive feature for this -- simply lift your wrist at any time and say your Siri command -- no need to say “Hey Siri” first. The wrist motion automatically lets Siri know it’s all right to start listening, without unlocking the watch, so you can give immediate commands or ask quick questions.
Track blood oxygen levels
For the Series 6, Apple redesigned the way it measures certain health indicators and added the ability to measure your blood oxygen levels (or Sp02 data). You can find this option in the Health app under Respiratory information, or you can visit the dedicated Blood Oxygen app within the WatchOS. Your Watch also monitors background blood oxygen levels several times a day, which allows you to check how much oxygen your body is getting over time. While this shouldn’t be used to diagnose any specific condition, it can offer insight into overall respiratory health, which your doctor may be interested in checking, alongside other testing.
Use the improved altimeter
Apple redesigned the altimeter in the Series 6 to track your elevation and provide real-time elevation changes via a more powerful, accurate sensor. The tool is much more useful to hikers, climbers, skiers, and even surveyors for tracking real-time elevation changes, even if it’s just a foot or two of difference.
Control universal volume with the Digital Crown
Digital Crown is the fancy name for the large rotating dial on the side of the watch that you use to go to the home screen. On the Series 6, any time you are in Now Playing mode for any kind of audio, you can twist the crown to control the volume.
Theater mode controls screen brightness
If you are ever in a location where you need to lower the light or noise from your Apple Watch, the Control Panel now includes a Theater Mode option that enables your watch's silent mode. Activate it to keep the screen dark regardless of alerts or notifications. If your Apple Watch suddenly starts making noise or disrupting a meeting, just cover it with your palm. The Watch will sense this and automatically stop this action, leaving you to carry on in peace.
Wash your hands with confidence
Hand washing has become a critical health protector, and the Apple Watch Series 6, combined with the WatchOS 8, can play an important role. It uses the array of sensors to detect when you are washing your hands -- listening for running water and hand movements, for example -- that initiate a hidden 20-second timer for your handwashing action. If you stop before the 20 seconds are up, the watch sends a quick vibration to signal you to keep going. The 20-second goal is a guideline both the WHO and the CDC agree on.

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Apple Watch Series 7 in a pocket.

The Apple Watch has seen enormous success. In fact, it’s the most popular item in Apple’s quickly expanding Wearables, Home, and Accessories division, which also includes Apple AirPods.

Since the Apple Watch was released in 2015, the smartwatch has gone through a number of makeovers and gained several new features. People love the Apple Watch for its durability, water resistance, and fitness-tracking abilities. Early versions of the watch could measure your activity levels, heart rate, and several other health metrics. Later versions even come with tools like ECGs (electrocardiograms) that can tell you when your heartbeat is abnormal and oximeters that can measure your blood oxygen levels.

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You could just buy an Apple Watch and only ever use the band that comes with it, but to ignore the amazingly varied world of bands, straps, and bracelets available would mean missing out on the chance to truly make it your own. Building a small collection of bands means your Apple Watch never looks out of place with what you’re wearing or the activity you’re engaged in, and it keeps things fresh and interesting.

If you’re new to the Apple Watch and aren’t sure where to start, I’ve spent a little time building a core collection of bands that I find are suitable for all situations. If you do the same, get ready to change the band on your Apple Watch on a very regular basis. I assure you it's worth it.
A band apart
What’s wrong with the basic Apple Sport Band or Sport Loop that comes with most Apple Watch models? Absolutely nothing, and one of these bands is so good it makes it on to my essentials list. It’s limiting yourself just to this one band that I’m suggesting you avoid. Changing the band on the Apple Watch isn’t time-intensive, there’s no risk of losing bits when you take it apart, you don’t need any special tools, and the end result is a completely different look and feel on your wrist.

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