Bernard Desarnauts, writing about a Wristly panel of more than 2,400 Apple Watch users:
A majority of the panel members were checking their notifications via the watch regularly, which by definition means they’re not looking for that information on their phone.
And:
We found that an average Apple Watch user is using his or her iPhone quite a bit more than non-Apple Watch users.
Interesting. Here’s why:
This data point can be explained by the stage of market development, whereby an Apple Watch user is by definition among the power users of mobile.
Makes sense.
But what is insightful and somewhat contradictory to this data point is that those same Apple Watch owners open/pick up their iPhone at least 20 percent less than non-Apple Watch owners.
This quantifies the anecdotal reporting from our panel; wearing an Apple Watch helps reduce the number of notifications and interruptions from your iPhone, and helps users remain focused on what is happening in the moment.
And:
Our panel consistently shares high usage rate of Siri and the other voice capabilities of the Apple Watch. In early June, the survey measured 65 percent of the users reporting using it more than expected. And we recently noted that Voice to Text was the second favorite way to respond to incoming messages. It also regularly garners rave reviews from our panelists when asked about their experience with Siri on the Apple Watch.
In a nutshell, the Apple Watch is doing what its supposed to, offering a less socially jarring way for users to keep connected with their incoming notifications.
Two anecdotes from the study:
“Walking down the street carrying a cup of coffee in each hand, I was able to raise my wrist slightly and say ‘Hey Siri call…’ without having to set the coffees down and without having to touch the watch whatsoever!”
“Scheduled a haircut on my iPhone while picking up lunch…I lifted up my wrist, ‘Hey Siri…’ and it was done. Love those little moments.”
I’ve had this same experience. Apple Watch lets me keep my iPhone in my pocket and gives me hands free access to Siri. These points may be obvious to anyone with an Apple Watch, but interesting to see these results quantified.
Very interesting read.