The Apple Watch Glances feature allows you quick access to the information that is most important to you. This can be calendar events, weather information, or even Twitter stats.
I’ve found that Apple Watch Glances can be immensely useful, as long as you only activate the ones you actually need. Using too many can dilute the usefulness of Glances as a whole.
After clearing out my Glances section last month, here are the ones that made the final cut…
Todoist
Todoist is one of my favorite task and todo apps and the Glance for Apple Watch lets me quickly see how many tasks I have scheduled for the day.
If I want to go any further, I can tap on the Glance and the full Todoist app for Apple Watch will launch. From there I can drill into my day, check items off, and even add tasks right on my wrist.
The Glance isn’t essential in my workflow, but I find it as a really nice way to see if I’ve completed everything I needed to. That’s probably why I only find myself checking it mainly in the evening as a way to confirm I’m officially done for the day.
- Free – Download
Fantastical 2
I despise the Calendar app for Apple Watch. While it got slightly better with WatchOS 2, it’s still not great.
Fantastical 2 not only has much better views for Apple Watch, the Glance is great and allows you to view your next event or view a running list. You can choose whichever you prefer via the Fantastical app on your iPhone.
If you not only want a much better calendaring experience on the Apple Watch, but on iOS as a whole, I can’t recommend Fantastical enough.
- $4.99 – Download
See also:
- Fantastical for Mac – $39.99 – Download
Power
If you’re running iOS 9, you may have noticed that you can now view your Apple Watch’s battery life right in Notification Center.
Power does the exact opposite and lets you view your iPhone’s battery life on your Apple Watch. Just install power, enable the Glance, and you instantly get a beautiful representation of your iPhone’s battery life, even if you aren’t sitting right next to it.
- $1.99 – Download
Twitterrific
If you’re the type of person that likes to stay on top of Twitter, the Twitterific Glance is one of the best you’ll find. It shows how many new followers you’ve acquired as well as how many favorites and retweets you received over the last 24 hours.
I don’t find myself using this Glance all the time but since I like data, I do find myself looking at it a few times a week. For this reason, I have it set up as one of my last Glances. This way it doesn’t get in the way of other Glances I use more frequently.
- Free with IAP options – Download
Deliveries
Deliveries is one of my favorite iOS and Mac apps. It’s the easiest way to track all your packages in one place. It recognizes all kinds of order links and tracking numbers automatically and import them.
From there, you can track your packages via the app, Notification Center, and as a Glance on your Apple Watch.
I can’t tell you how many times I use the Deliveries Glance on my Apple Watch when waiting for new Apple products to arrive.
- $4.99 – Download
See also:
- Deliveries for Mac – $4.99 – Download
App in the Air
If you travel regularly, App in the Air is indispensable. I use it on a regular basis to view wait times at security checkpoints, view tips about different airports I’m not familiar with, and lots more.
The Apple Watch Glance lets you view any flights you’ve added in just a swipe and a flick. You can see flight number, gate, and how long until check-in closes.
Not only does App in the Air offer a beautiful Glance, I’ve found it to be a great way to track and document all my travel over the years.
- Free with IAP options – Download
What are your favorite Apple Watch glances?
I prefer keeping my Glances to a minimum so I don’t have to do much swiping when trying to access any one of them. I have lots of other apps installed that offer Glances, I just don’t find myself needing them on my wrist.
If you depend on certain Glances on your Apple Watch, I’d love to know which ones!
