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Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
As someone who frequently reviews a range of wearables, my primary device remains the Apple Watch, which feels nearly inseparable from my daily routine. Conversely, keeping tabs on my iPhone—often not within arm’s reach—can be a challenge. Instead of searching through every room of my house, I typically resort to pinging my iPhone from my smartwatch. This method may come off as a bit excessive, but I embrace it out of necessity. Recently, I discovered that this straightforward feature offers more utility than I had previously thought. However, rather than feeling pleased, I found myself frustrated with its limitations.
Do you regularly use your Apple Watch to ping your iPhone?
9 votes
Yes, I use the ping
56%
Yes, I use the ping and flash
0%
No, I don’t use this tool
44%
For those without a newer Apple Watch, it might be tough to appreciate just how irritating this habit can be—for myself and potentially for others. Each time I activate the ping function, it’s akin to someone in a parking lot repeatedly pressing their car’s panic button, drawing attention to my forgetfulness. Instead of retracing my steps to locate my phone, I often resort to this loud game of “Marco Polo,” which can be rather humiliating.
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
Despite my frequent use of this feature, I only recently discovered that holding down the ping button also activates the flashlight on my iPhone. If you were already aware of this, congratulations; you deserve a high five. This revelation initially felt like a breakthrough, a discreet way to locate my phone without drawing attention to my forgetfulness. However, I was disappointed to find out that Apple did not include a silent option for this feature; the ping remains either an auditory alert or a combination of sound and light, but no purely light-based option is available.
This limitation becomes particularly frustrating during nighttime hours. As the sole awake member of my household, my late-night activities often involve mundane tasks like attending to my child or sneaking snacks. My phone, which I use for both illumination and entertainment, frequently gets left behind as I transition from one location to another.
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
There have been countless moments when, after settling back into bed, I suddenly remember where I left my phone and feel a wave of dread. Was it in the kitchen, where I just finished my midnight snack, or on the chair where I was catching up on social media?
When you finally get a moment of peace at 2:00 AM after a night feed, the last thing you want is to send a loud ping echoing through your home. A silent notification that simply triggers the flashlight would let me search quietly for my device, preserving the tranquility of the night and safeguarding my family’s sleep.
The only workaround I’ve found involves using the camera control features on my Apple Watch. If there’s adequate lighting, I can check the photo preview to determine the location of my phone. This method often resembles playing a game of “I Spy,” and if it’s too dark, I resort to taking a picture with the flash on and, as the saying goes, following the light. The unintended outcome of this approach has been a collection of unexpected artistic shots of my ceiling, floor, and furniture. Ideally, I would keep better track of my phone, but I’ve grown accustomed to the challenge that comes with it.
Source
www.androidauthority.com