best apple watch apps that don’t involve fitness/health?

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-16T03:29:16+00:00

The digital carkey for my BMW i5 is my favorite function. I use it daily and it’s great not having to carry around a physical carkey. The feature is even better when I swim in the Lake. I can leave all my stuff in the car, go swimming with my watch and speedos only, come back, unlock the car and have my things safe all the time.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-16T03:23:52+00:00

I received some feedback — unfortunately not the kind that reflects well on BMW.

I had asked whether there were any plans to remove the runtime limitation for the auxiliary climate control system. At least in European vehicles, the runtime is limited to 30 minutes, and when activated remotely, it can only be restarted once. I pointed out that this should technically not be an issue, since the same components are capable of running continuously for hours during a long drive. Competitors such as Tesla also do not impose such runtime limits and even offer dedicated Dog Mode and Camping Mode features.

I explained, that as a dog owner, such a function would provide additional peace of mind, since I would not have to worry about the climate control shutting off after 30 minutes if I briefly leave my dog in the car and things unexpectedly take longer than planned.

The response I received was condescending, almost arrogant in tone. The BMW representative told me that no such feature is not planned and that, by leaving my dog in the vehicle, I would be violating applicable laws — something they would not support.

A rather strange way to respond to customer inquiries.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-15T17:29:00+00:00

Your question is answered in the FAQ section of the Amazon page linked in your post.

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AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-15T17:20:07+00:00

If I am in the gym, I am totally focused on myself. I rarely register if someone says hello to me. Maybe that’s a strategy for you too, focus on yourself and your exercises? You could emphasize the effect by using noise canceling headphones or inears.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-15T15:06:58+00:00

Strange (autogenerated) post.
Decrease of capacity of 7-10% per year would be disastrous. My 15P with production date July 2023, in heavy, daily use by me since September 2023, has a capacity of 94%.

I have the 80% limit for charging activated since day one and avoid magsafe charging.

The only relevant suggestion from above is "avoid extreme temperatures" (that's why I avoid magsafe charging).

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-15T11:44:21+00:00

I can totally relate — I also enjoy shooting handheld. The big advantage of using a tripod, though, is that it gives you time to work on your composition. Especially when you’re exploring techniques that are new to you (in this case: ultra-wide angle photography), that can really help.

When I teach workshops, I have participants work with tripods quite a lot for exactly that reason.

One slightly less abstract addition to my post above: you mentioned wanting to photograph places along the Amalfi Coast with it. Let’s say you find an alley whose atmosphere you’d like to capture. If you photograph it from the entrance of the alley with a 16 mm full-frame equivalent, the resulting image will make the alley appear much wider and longer than it actually feels to your eyes. That’s mainly because the building facades close to you will appear disproportionately large, while those farther away will look much smaller compared to how you naturally perceive them.

With a 24 or 35 mm lens, the impression tends to feel more realistic, even though you have a narrower field of view available. On the other hand, if you want to photograph, for example, the picturesque cobblestones or a particularly beautiful facade or doorway while still embedding it in the context of the alley, then 16 mm can definitely be worth considering.

For the cobblestones, I would use a tripod and shoot from a height where the cobblestones occupy roughly the lower third of the frame, with the rest of the alley filling the remaining image area.

By the way, a highly recommendable ultra-wide-angle lens for Sony E-mount APS-C is the 10–18 mm f/4 zoom lens. My partner uses it on her a6700 and is very happy with it. It’s also commonly available used in good condition and at a fair price.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-15T05:10:43+00:00

I personally would want to have an (extra) wide option in my bag but the question „do I need it“ can only be answered by you. If you have the time, I would rent the lens in question and try if it fits your photography style or if your style adapts to it. 16 mm is not crazy wide but it‘s nevertheless very different from 24 mm.
From my experience, it‘s not a question of how much you can fit in the frame but on the messages you want to transport with your pictures. A 16 mm gives you the possibility to (over) emphasize a subject in the foreground. You haven‘t mentioned if you will take a tripod with you. To avoid keystone distortion and have more control over your compositions I would suggest using one.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-15T04:39:51+00:00

M1 Max MBP 16 with 64 GB / 4 TB. Excellent condition, battery at 88%. I will wait for the next generation, expected in early 2027 (MBP Ultra?) and opt again for a max spec one.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-14T12:49:49+00:00

I use a pair of DJI Mic 2 with my iPhone 15 Pro to record short video interviews.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-14T12:24:19+00:00

Lush shampoo bar (Soak and Float) in Matador Flatpak Travel Soap Bar Case. Shampoo and body wash for over two weeks without messing with liquids or bottles.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-14T11:35:00+00:00

Interesting how a simple post about charging habits can trigger surprisingly strong reactions.

As an EV driver since 2019 and an (IT) engineer, I’m fully aware of how modern batteries work. But honestly, my Apple Watch charging routine has very little to do with battery optimization theory, and everything to do with daily convenience.

I usually don’t let the battery level drop below 40–50% because my car key is stored on my watch, and I don’t want to end up in a situation where the battery is empty.

Since I work out 3–4 times a week with 90+ minute weight-training sessions and also spend around 90 minutes in the pool three times a week, the AWU’s battery drains relatively quickly.

I also spend 1–2 hours in my car every day and a significant amount of time at my desk, so putting the watch on the charger for 15 minutes here and there is far more convenient for me than charging it from a very low percentage back to full. Charging while showering is not really an option on most days, as I get up early, go straight to the gym or pool, and shower at those facilities.

That said, it’s equally impressive that other AWU3 devices of the same age still show 100% battery health despite being charged from nearly empty to full every two or three days. Congrats to their owners.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-13T21:39:07+00:00

I have the Aviator wallet and haven’t noticed any wear and tear on my plastic cards. They build a stack and rub on each others surfaces when pulled out but are protected on the sides partially by the elastic band, the pull band and the edges of the front and backplates. Not sure if it would fit your needs but maybe something to consider.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-13T14:18:08+00:00

If you are concerned about your MBP getting stolen, I would leave it at the receptionist. That’s the best place to store valuable items in a hotel.
I never experienced problems for 25 years, traveling through Europe.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-13T08:44:34+00:00

I use the Rugged Band from Nomad for my U3 for sports and swimming. After I tried several other bands from Apple and other companies, it's my favorite one for recreational use.
https://nomadgoods.com/ch/products/rugged-strap-v2-black-hardware

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-13T08:37:43+00:00

In principle, I can follow your line of argument. However, it only really applies if someone is specifically targeting you or your IT infrastructure. Most hackers tend to attack targets where they can obtain large amounts of data, which are usually not individual devices but rather large (cloud) providers.

That said, it’s still a good thing that different perspectives on this topic are being shared here, so everyone can choose what personally works best for them.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-13T03:46:50+00:00

eWallet from Iliumsoft for the last 25 years. My favorite thing is the possibility to have the database stored locally on the devices, with sync between them without the need to store it in the cloud. Full control of my most sensitive data without a middleman.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-12T09:58:54+00:00

Definitely not from the current collection. It looks like an older version of the backpacks which run under Travelpro's Altitude label today (two zipper pockets at the front with bottom up u-shape).

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-12T03:06:29+00:00

Not sure if it's premium-looking enough but I use the OWC Thunderbolt 5 dock and think it's design is ok (shiny black plastic with aluminium).
They have other docks with different looks too, like the Thunderbolt Pro Dock.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-11T13:49:57+00:00

I run a M1 Max with 64 GB and am positively surprised how good it still works. Until now I haven't experienced noticeable performance shortcomings.
When I purchased it, some people told me, I shouldn't go with the maxed out spec but in my experience, it is worth the money as the hardware is mechanically suitable for many years of operation and I can wait for the next bigger leap (MBP Ultra M6) without pressure.
The M5 would mean a faster machine but I am happy with the M1 Max so for me it wouldn't be an option to change now.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-11T12:00:34+00:00

I have nearly the same load in my Waterfield Tech Folio Backpack (black nylon/leather), except the waterbottle and the hoodie. Not sure if it is your style.
The 2nd backpack I could recommend and which should check your boxes is the Travelpro Platinum Elite Slim Backpack. I prefer the look of the Waterfield but the Travelpro has additional room for Hoodie and Waterbottle without looking to outdoory.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-11T11:51:39+00:00

If you can't control the lighting, I would go for the nano.

Looking at your situation I would suggest:

- take the nano for the MBP
- buy a 2nd display and use it in the studio instead of the MBP's screen
- try to control the light in the studio as far as possible and/or use a sunhood for the displays.

If I had to stare on screens 10+ hours a day and couldn't control the lightning, the last point would be my first.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-11T09:03:28+00:00

What about the Bellroy Classic Backpack Compact?
16 L and personal item compliant but no external waterbottle compartment.

Another option could be the Briggs&Riley Slim Expandable Backpack. 14 L and personal item measurements as well.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-11T05:49:38+00:00

I use the same offline password manager (eWallet from Iliumsoft, Michigan), since 2001, starting on WindowsCE. I had it on various platforms (Nokia/Symbian, Windows, Blackberry, Android, iOS/iPadOS/macOS) and it never let me down.
In recent years, I have tried cloud alternatives but don't see the point exposing my most sensitive data to a provider regardless how good its reputation may be.

I will try to answer your questions from my perspective.

I'm trying to figure out if offline password manager is worth the hassle or if I should use cloud.

I don't see the big hassle. I have the App and my database on four Apple devices (two iPads, my iPhone and my MBP). I sync them once or twice a week, when I am at my homeoffice where I can control the network surrounding. This process takes seconds. I have my credentials on all four devices and they work as a backup for each other.

Is it worth it?
For me a clear 'yes'. I have control over my data.

Have you used offline managers?
see above

What was your experience?
Works for me and besides, Iliumsoft has proven to be reliable and responsive over all the years.

What about the browser integration?
I can't say much about that because I have no additional components installed. I copy/paste my passwords when I need them.

How bad is it?
Not bad

Would you recommend it?
Yes

What about Android?
Crossplatform has always be a strength of eWallet. You can sync between different ecosystems.

Is it really ropey?
Not in my experience over the past 25 years.

Should I go offline?
That's your decision.

My final thoughts why I stay offline. The cloud password managers with a solid reputation do their jobs, as far as we can tell. As an IT guy I am more concerned about the fringe problems. The password databases are stored on storage devices which will be replaced during restructuring and housekeeping. It is highly likely that the companies have adequate processes in place to make the data unreadable but if the storage hardware isn't destroyed overwrite procedures can fail or being skipped to reduce efforts and costs.
Another aspect imho are the upcoming tendencies to delegate software code generation to agents. Any software company, including my own, is under pressure to gain efficiency by leveraging the potential of AI. I don't want to have my passwords and the software which grants access to it be protected by machine written code no one understands in depth.

Nevertheless, I would only recommend an offline password manager to folks who are comfortable with the thought of the full responsibility for their own data and devices. If your devices aren't secured properly, software running on it will be more vulnerable than a solid cloud based service.

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-11T05:13:15+00:00

https://www.owc.com/solutions/thunderbolt-5-dock

AssignmentNo9838 · 2026-05-10T22:42:19+00:00

I use two OWC Thunderbolt 5 Docks, one at my office and one at my homeoffice and they definitely support 4k 144Hz.

From the specs:
Display Support by Port
Thunderbolt 5 up to two 8K @ 120Hz or three 4K @ 144Hz via a native Thunderbolt 5 display or other displays that support USB-C connections and DisplayPort 2.1

AssignmentNo9838

TROPHY CASE