Just a couple of weeks ago, I wrote about coverage of a study at Stanford that included an app for the Apple Watch and other smartwatches. This app takes blood oxygen and skin temperature readings, along with heart rate, to help identify the onset of COVID-19 ahead of noticeable symptoms. So far, that study has met with great success. In that article, I wondered if Apple would seize on this opportunity and include blood oxygen readings as a built-in feature of the next Watch.
I had my own little COVID-19 scare a couple of months ago. I got a stomach virus, but evidence had already emerged that some who get sick with the disease have gastrointestinal symptoms like what I was experiencing. I read up while I was laid up and discovered that a reliable leading indicator of COVID-19 symptoms is your resting heart rate. That just happens to be something that the Apple Watch already has covered.
I’ve always appreciated the overall capabilities and features of the Apple Watch. It’s easily my second-favorite Apple device of all time and I love using it. I’ve always been impressed by all of the information that it tracks for you in the Health app and I know it can be invaluable. I’ve linked to several stories here about lives that were saved by the Watch over the last three years. I’ve even used this data, myself.
At at the same time, it’s so easy to take what this device can do for you for granted. I appreciate what it brings to the table a lot more after this weekend.
I got my first Apple Watch on launch day in April of 2015 and there has only been one month since that I haven’t owned and worn one. That first one was a Sport model in silver with a blue Sport Band. I remember how excited I was on launch day to hold what felt like a piece of the future. I remember wearing out the battery trying out every app and feature that first week. However, like the new shine on many gadgets, that faded over time. In fact, my time and experience with the Series 0 was much the same as many others- mixed.
I certainly hope so! According to the YouTube channel iUpdate, it’s in the works for the coming Apple Watch Series 6. Right now this all just the early rumor and Apple patent watch phase, which doesn’t have the best track record. However, the addition of biometrics fits with the evolution of Apple hardware that we put our hands on and would provide an additional measure of security for the company’s most personal of devices.
9to5Mac has been a trusted source for Apple news for a long time. However, I didn’t really consider them to be quite on the level with Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo when it came to new device and iOS rumors. Gui Rambo has made quite an impact over the last couple of years revealing lots of information hidden inside of Apple’s various OS betas, but those details don’t start coming until after WWDC, when those of us with Apple Dev Accounts get our hands on the goodies.
We already have reports that Apple is possible about to release a new set of noise cancelling over the ear headphones and is working on a “lite’ version of the AirPods Pro for release later in the year. However, that isn’t all Apple is working on to extend their extremely popular and fast-growing wearables lineup. They are also continuing to work on the Apple Watch and AirPods.
A lot of Apple Watch fans wanted an always-on display and got their wish last year with the Series 5. Others want sleep tracking. Some want a slimmer design without losing any battery life. While I am good with all of the above, what I really want to see next is independence for the Apple Watch. In my opinion, de-coupling the Watch from the iPhone for setup and basic operation is the last major step in the platform’s evolution.
I’ll admit that I am extremely late to the wireless charging bandwagon. For various reasons, it just hasn’t seemed essential or at least worth the cost to invest in one. However, when I was offered the opportunity to take a look at the GoPower Watch Stand with Wireless Charging Base for review, I was intrigued to learn about what I’ve been missing.
If you follow Apple, then you likely know how popular the Apple Watch and the AirPods are today. My how things have changed. Both of these devices started their lives as targets of criticism and the butts of numerous jokes. Do you remember when the Watch was slow and didn’t do anything useful and the AirPods were the ugliest things ever? Fast-forward to today and the Apple Watch is the smartwatch market and AirPods set the standard for convenience and portability for wireless earbuds. Again, my how times have changed.
There was a story in People magazine two days ago referencing the Apple Watch’s heath features that really caught my eye. These kinds of stories are nothing new, as the Watch is now capable of monitoring and tracking all sorts of different variables and has been credited with saving many lives. However, this particular story is different.
This time the Apple Watch didn’t save a life, but it definitely enhanced it. It didn’t assist in detecting a life-threatening disease, but it did help a young man deal with struggles that he lives with every day. This story is about Sam Bennett, who has autism, and his father Scott.