The Ridiculously Simple Guide to Apple Watch Series 4: A Practical Guide to Getting Started with Apple Watch Series 4 and WatchOS 6

Introduction

The stage was set in September 2018. It was iPhone’s big event. The day where journalist and Apple fans alike lusted over the latest and greatest iPhone. But a funny thing happened on the way to the announcement: Apple Watch Series 4 took everyone's breath away!

The Apple Watch has, of course, been around for three years and seen several updates. But 2018 was different: the watch was finally ready for the masses. This wasn’t a watch for early adopters or fitness buffs--this was the watch your parents and grandparents would get behind.

In addition to all the great features Apple Watch has always had, series 4 is slimmer (yet with a screen that is somehow bigger), has optional cellular for making phone calls and streaming music without your phone, and drop detection (so if you fall and can’t get up, the fire department is dispatched to your location). Everything about it was designed to motivate you to be more active.

As amazing as all the new features are, it’s not quite as easy to use as an iPhone; the lack of buttons, the smaller screen, and general UI can make a frustrated initial experience. The point of this book is to help new Apple Watch users (and users updating to Watch OS 5 from an older device) get the most out their investment. 

Are you ready to start enjoying your new Apple Watch? Then let’s get started!

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Is Apple Watch Really the Best Smartwatch Out There?

In terms of smartwatches, there’s nothing that comes close to what Apple has built. Its menus are fluid, it’s sleek, and, like other Apple products, it just works. But let’s take a moment and look at how the other watches stack up against the Apple Watch.

Android Wear



If you have an Android phone, then Android Wear is the official watch for you. Apple Watch will not be supported by Android. Most Android Wear watches are $200 to $300—though there are several cheaper options in the sub-$50 range…but they are cheaper for a reason. They don’t work like you’d expect; they are more often than not cheap plastic toys that only sort of do what you want.

Unlike Apple Watch, Android is open source and many fashion designers have created their own smartwatches. Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, and Michael Kors are just a few designers that you’ll find on Android.



Most Android watches have batteries that last a day...like the Apple Watch; and most, like the Apple Watch, have sensors to track health and fitness. There are also plenty of apps to load onto your watch.

So why is Apple Watch better than Android Wear? Opinions obviously vary, but many feel that Apple apps work smoother and everything is more fluid. Unlike Android, Apple screens their apps to make sure apps that don’t really do anything don’t get on the App Store.

It should also be noted that WatchOS (Apple’s operating system) is built for one watch; Android’s Wear OS is customized for each watch, and some manufacturers don’t put the effort into that customization needed to make the watch great. Some Android watches are supported in some capacity on the iPhone, but not all.

Pebble



In terms of price, Pebble is the best watch for your money. The Pebble watch ceased to exist in 2016 (its intellectual property was sold to Fitbit), but you can still find good deals on those 2016 models.

The Pebble watch is one of the few watches compatible with both Android and iPhone smartphones. The Pebble is not a bad watch, but it is a limited one. There is no touchscreen, graphics are subpar, and notifications are not as fluid as Apple Watch. It also won't win any fashion awards.

Fitbit



And speaking of Fitbit, they’ve recently entered the smartwatch game with their $199 Fitbit Versa. If you are looking for a watch purely for fitness and don’t want to shell out more for the Apple Watch, then the Versa is your best bet.

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What’s New In WatchOS 6

WatchOS 6 is the latest operating system available for Apple Watch. You can update any older generation Apple Watch to this operating system except the original watch (also known as Series 0).

How to Update to WatchOS 6

If you are buying your device new from Apple, then chances are, the OS is already installed; if it’s not, go to the Watch app on your phone.



Next, select General.



Finally, select Software Update.



What’s New in WatchOS 6

Looks-wise, WatchOS 6 doesn’t look that much different from other WatchOS’s.

What’s changed is more in terms of added features and refinements to apps that are already there.

In the past, you would need to install watch apps on your phone, and then put them on your watch. In WatchOS 6, there is now a native app store. That means you can download apps directly from your watch. Of course, you can also continue to do it the previous way as well.

In terms of new features, there are a few of note:

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