Apple Watch for a runner: Need its own service?

[Anonymous]

I'm buying an apple watch as a gift for a runner so she can run without her phone. Does she need a model that gets its own cellular service? Or is the simple watch able to function and run strava while shes out, then she can upload things once she gets home?

Sorry if this question makes no sense. I am a bit out of my element here!

thanks.

[Anonymous]

If she wants to be able to get/make calls and texts on the watch while she is running then it has to have cellular service - and she will also have to pay for an additional line for the service. But to just record data that can later be uploaded, no cell needed. Personally I found the added expense of the cell service (both for the watch & extra line) not worth it, but I never ran for more than 3x/week for short runs. If she’s training for a marathon or something and spends hours on the road, may be more worth it!

[Anonymous]

NP here. I have an app on my phone I use. (Pacer) Though I’m not fixed on that app.

What app(s) is/are being used for running on Apple Watch?

Could I have app running and access a the generic timer and access a podcast all at the same time?

It can be my habit on the IPhone to set up music or podcast… start my Pacer app… and occasionally set my own splits on the generic timer /clock app.

Is this kind of switching back and forth possible on Apple Watch?

[Anonymous]

Yes it needs its own line but it can be tied to your existing phone number and is like 10 additional a month on Verizon (vs. a whole different line).

I run and don’t take my phone so it’s nice to have but it’s also handy when I don’t have my phone for another reason or it’s out of battery.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I have an app on my phone I use. (Pacer) Though I’m not fixed on that app.

What app(s) is/are being used for running on Apple Watch?

Could I have app running and access a the generic timer and access a podcast all at the same time?

It can be my habit on the IPhone to set up music or podcast… start my Pacer app… and occasionally set my own splits on the generic timer /clock app.

Is this kind of switching back and forth possible on Apple Watch?

I’m sorry. I forgot to type that I don’t have an answer for OP, but that I am tacking on my own questions about Apple Watch for running.

Thanks.
-pp

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I'm buying an apple watch as a gift for a runner so she can run without her phone. Does she need a model that gets its own cellular service? Or is the simple watch able to function and run strava while shes out, then she can upload things once she gets home?

Sorry if this question makes no sense. I am a bit out of my element here!

thanks.

You can skip the cellular option and upload when home. But, if the runner wants to make or receive calls or texts when out, she will need the cellular option plus and additional line on her mobile service. Another potential consideration is whether she also listens to music or podcasts while running. Without the cellular option, those have to be uploaded to the watch before running. With the cellular option, they can be streamed.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I have an app on my phone I use. (Pacer) Though I’m not fixed on that app.

What app(s) is/are being used for running on Apple Watch?

Could I have app running and access a the generic timer and access a podcast all at the same time?

It can be my habit on the IPhone to set up music or podcast… start my Pacer app… and occasionally set my own splits on the generic timer /clock app.

Is this kind of switching back and forth possible on Apple Watch?

There are several running apps that can be used on the Apple Watch including Nike Run Club and Strada, but I just used the built-in app.

The included running workout app has a timer on its display and can play music or podcasts. You could also start the run exercise app, put it in the background, start a podcast with a podcast app and put that in the background, and then open the timer app. The included app has splits built-in so everything you want to do is available in that app.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm buying an apple watch as a gift for a runner so she can run without her phone. Does she need a model that gets its own cellular service? Or is the simple watch able to function and run strava while shes out, then she can upload things once she gets home?

Sorry if this question makes no sense. I am a bit out of my element here!

thanks.

You can skip the cellular option and upload when home. But, if the runner wants to make or receive calls or texts when out, she will need the cellular option plus and additional line on her mobile service. Another potential consideration is whether she also listens to music or podcasts while running. Without the cellular option, those have to be uploaded to the watch before running. With the cellular option, they can be streamed.

I almost always have my iPhone on me somewhere (pocket or whatever). Watch uses Bluetooth to connect to phone, so I do not need my watch to have cellular to do phone calls or texts or whatever. It also uses Bluetooth to download exercise stats and what not - and can do this after the exercise also. Again, no need for cellular on the watch. YMMV

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she wants to be able to get/make calls and texts on the watch while she is running then it has to have cellular service - and she will also have to pay for an additional line for the service. But to just record data that can later be uploaded, no cell needed. Personally I found the added expense of the cell service (both for the watch & extra line) not worth it, but I never ran for more than 3x/week for short runs. If she’s training for a marathon or something and spends hours on the road, may be more worth it!

Are different levels of cellular service? Can I get a basic level allowing me I to leave my phone and still use some apps or listen Spotify?
What about gettin texts?
Are calls separate?

[Anonymous]

Bumoing this as I am also looking for this info.

Conflicting info in these responses about where a separate phone line/number is required for the watch - can anyone confirm which is correct? To be specific, if someone calls my cell, I want to be able to receive those calls on my watch, vs I don’t want to have a sep phone number for the watch, which is what I thought posters meant when they say an apple watch requires its own line. I had always assumed it is like my ipad that could be added to my existing phone/data plan for about $10/mo, no new line required (at least not in the sense I mean - it’s obviously an additional device).

Thanks.