Latest news with #AppleWatchSeries6
Edmonton Journal
12-07-2025
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Keenan: Is RFK Jr. 'bonkers' or is it time for a wearable?
Are the good ones really accurate? You'd certainly expect a smartwatch to count your steps properly since that problem was solved in 1780. What about more subtle parameters like peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (Sp02 )? This is what they measure in a hospital or doctor's office by putting a device similar to a clothespin on your finger. A drop can indicate circulatory or breathing problems. It can also help detect sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops for 10 seconds or more. Article content A study published in Digital Health in 2022 found that 'Apple Watch Series 6 can reliably detect states of reduced blood oxygen saturation with SpO2 below 90 per cent when compared to a medical-grade pulse oximeter.' Article content Smartwatches vary in what other medical parameters they can measure. The higher-end models feature electrocardiogram functionality, and this capability is improving as artificial intelligence is integrated. Several studies show that they can play a role in detecting serious conditions, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). A recent article by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine concluded that 'AI-enhanced wearable and portable devices represent a transformative force in cardiovascular care by enabling efficient, equitable, and accessible care directly in the communities.' Article content Article content Closer to home, a beloved University of Calgary professor had some cardiac problems. His class passed the hat to buy him an end-of-term gift. It was a large class, so they were able to get him an Apple Watch, which he still wears. Article content Sleep tracking was a major appeal of a smartwatch for me. Mine produces a daily sleep score, which can range from 0 to 100. I made it to 79 last night, which pleased me greatly. The manufacturer's website, explains the calculation, saying 'It includes how much time you spent in, and the patterns formed between, the light, deep and REM sleep stages. Experts say these affect your mental and physical recovery. Deep sleep, for example, helps with muscle recovery.' Article content Critics of health trackers note that some people become obsessed with their numbers in an unhealthy manner. Also, we may be sending intimate information to a company that might not respect our privacy. At the very least, I recommend using a newly created email address that's not linked to your name when you sign up for a fitness tracking website. Article content If you need another reason, consider my all-time favourite headline from Gizmodo, 'Your fuelband knows when you're having sex.' As author Adam Clark Estes wrote back in 2013, 'How else do you explain getting a half hour of exercise late at night without taking a single step?'
Calgary Herald
12-07-2025
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Keenan: Is RFK Jr. 'bonkers' or is it time for a wearable?
Are the good ones really accurate? You'd certainly expect a smartwatch to count your steps properly since that problem was solved in 1780. What about more subtle parameters like peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (Sp02 )? This is what they measure in a hospital or doctor's office by putting a device similar to a clothespin on your finger. A drop can indicate circulatory or breathing problems. It can also help detect sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops for 10 seconds or more. Article content A study published in Digital Health in 2022 found that 'Apple Watch Series 6 can reliably detect states of reduced blood oxygen saturation with SpO2 below 90 per cent when compared to a medical-grade pulse oximeter.' Article content Smartwatches vary in what other medical parameters they can measure. The higher-end models feature electrocardiogram functionality, and this capability is improving as artificial intelligence is integrated. Several studies show that they can play a role in detecting serious conditions, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). A recent article by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine concluded that 'AI-enhanced wearable and portable devices represent a transformative force in cardiovascular care by enabling efficient, equitable, and accessible care directly in the communities.' Article content Article content Closer to home, a beloved University of Calgary professor had some cardiac problems. His class passed the hat to buy him an end-of-term gift. It was a large class, so they were able to get him an Apple Watch, which he still wears. Article content Sleep tracking was a major appeal of a smartwatch for me. Mine produces a daily sleep score, which can range from 0 to 100. I made it to 79 last night, which pleased me greatly. The manufacturer's website, explains the calculation, saying 'It includes how much time you spent in, and the patterns formed between, the light, deep and REM sleep stages. Experts say these affect your mental and physical recovery. Deep sleep, for example, helps with muscle recovery.' Article content Critics of health trackers note that some people become obsessed with their numbers in an unhealthy manner. Also, we may be sending intimate information to a company that might not respect our privacy. At the very least, I recommend using a newly created email address that's not linked to your name when you sign up for a fitness tracking website. Article content If you need another reason, consider my all-time favourite headline from Gizmodo, 'Your fuelband knows when you're having sex.' As author Adam Clark Estes wrote back in 2013, 'How else do you explain getting a half hour of exercise late at night without taking a single step?'
Engadget
07-07-2025
- Business
- Engadget
Apple is still trying to overturn the ban on the Apple Watch blood oxygen sensor
Apple is making another attempt to appeal the trade ban that forced it to remove the blood oxygen sensor from its smartwatches, Reuters reports. The company was forced to remove the feature in 2024, following a decision from the International Trade Commission (ITC) in 2023 that banned sales of the Apple Watch for violating health tech startup Masimo's patents. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit heard new arguments from Apple and Masimo's lawyers on Monday over the legality of the original ITC ban. Apple's argument is that the fact Masimo was developing its own smartwatch when Apple released the Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020 — the first of the company's wearables with a blood oxygen sensor — shouldn't be enough to justify the ban. Masimo disagrees. The appeals court has heard the company's arguments before, and even briefly paused the trade ban in December 2023 while the ITC considered Apple's request for a longer pause. Ultimately, the ITC ruled in Masimo's favor and denied Apple's request. Apple removed the blood oxygen sensor in 2024 so it could restart sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the US. The companies' fight goes beyond just the blood oxygen sensor — Masimo's smartwatches were, ironically, found to infringe on Apple patents — but clearly Apple is hung up on the feature. The company's blood oxygen sensor was never as accurate as the pulse oximeters used in a doctor's office, but it was part of a fairly comprehensive suite of heart health features on the smartwatch. It's entirely possible Apple wants to reintroduce it in its watches as part of an even more ambitious health feature down the road.
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
'I shopped in a mystery tech bundle that rivals Wowcher and got £99 earphones for less'
Mystery bundles are popular with tech shoppers looking to bag high-end devices for as little as a tenner - here's how From a speedy Ninja airfryer to make cooking less of a hassle, a Nintendo Switch console, to a 65-inch TV, these are just some of the products shoppers could get from as little as £9.99 in the latest Tech Mystery deal from Wowcher, for those unfamiliar with it it's notoriously a pot-luck sale. While it's not guaranteed what items shoppers will walk away with, the raffle-style tickets see some shoppers get huge items for less than a tenner. This deal is divided into two categories - Standard and Premium both of which offer shoppers different options for their money. In the cheapest bundle items on the list include the Amazon Echo Show 5, Apple Watch Series 6, while one of the most offered items is a laptop sleeve. On the more expensive £19.99 bundle, items like a Nintendo Switch and Apple MacBook Air 7th Gen are up for grabs. The retailer has become a go-to for shoppers looking to take their chances at bagging a multi-hundred-pound device for less than £20, but it's not the only retailer. Another standout deal is the Discount Experts Ultimate Mystery Electronic Deal, which includes very similar items to Wowcher. Starting from a similar £9.99 entry rate and products like Beats headphones, LG TV, an Amazon Echo and De'Longhi Coffee Machines. Like Wowcher, it also reserves the bigger ticket items for its £19.99 package - prices which many will spot are the same price as the fellow money-saving deals site. This is where the 55-inch LG TV is up for grabs, but in contrast to Wowcher, Discount Experts highlight how many shoppers will win each product, which is just one shopper for the TV whereas 750 customers will get a Veho Bluetooth speaker. While I've not taken part in Wowcher's Mystery tech sale before, I can speak for what the Discount Experts mystery tech bundles are like, as I've done one before - I only paid £21.99 at the time, much higher than the current £19.99 Gold price, and got headphones - a pair which at the time I said rivalled Apple. Covering my experience for The Manchester Evening News I said: "Having seen the growing interest surrounding the mystery boxes I decided to test it out, pushed by my inquisitiveness I wanted to see if shoppers really were getting a 'bargain of the century' or simply paying an extortionate price for a bit of tech you could get in the pound store. "About a week later I got a thin parcel envelope through my letterbox with my mystery Black Friday product inside, it wasn't an iPad but an Apple dupe I was perfectly happy with. Inside the mystery envelope (NOT BOX) was a pair of Candi London i16 Wireless Earphones, which, according to Discount Experts cost £99. "One downside of the process was the questionable emails after purchasing the tier - instead of emailing to say 'your item is on the way' or 'thank you for your order', each email update had lots of misleading deals." It's worth noting that if you spot an item in the Wowcher Mystery Sale and really want it, many are featured in other sales - although this obviously means paying considerably more for them with the assurance you'll actually receive it.
Tom's Guide
15-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
watchOS 26 preview: 5 new Apple Watch features I can't wait to try
Your Apple Watch is about to get a major (free) update — at least if you own an Apple Watch Series 6 or later. During last week's WWDC, we got our first detailed look at watchOS 12… I mean, watchOS 26. Going forward, Apple's latest operating system release will reflect the last two digits of the coming year. This change affects not just watchOS but all Apple operating systems for Mac, iPhone, iPad, and so forth. While the introduction of a new 'liquid glass' aesthetic — borrowed from visionOS — is easily the most visually impactful change to the Apple Watch operating system in years, it's not the improvement I'm most excited about. In fact, it doesn't even make my top five list. Nope. As someone who reviews smartwatches for a living, these are the five new Apple Watch features coming in watchOS 26 I'm most excited to try in 2025. Ever since Apple introduced its "shake to shuffle" feature on iPod, I've been hooked on the concept of gesture controls for gadgets. Presently, the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and Ultra 2 also support Apple's Double Tap gesture control, where users can press their index finger and thumb together on the watch-worn hand to trigger a customizable action. Essentially, it will free you from having to interact with the screen when you're otherwise distracted. Now Apple is adding even more gesture control in the form of "Wrist Flick." With the release of watchOS 26, this action will allow you to silence alarms, dismiss calls and messages, turn off timers and quiet pings. Essentially, it will free you from having to interact with the screen when you're otherwise distracted, or in the case of sleeping, don't feel like opening your eyes. Unfortunately, this seemingly super-useful new gesture will only be available on the Series 9, 10 and Ultra 2 models. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Speaking of annoying pings and notifications, watchOS 26 should make your Apple Watch feel a little less intrusive during the day-to-day. The new operating system introduces smarter notifications that take a hint from your surroundings. Rather than let the entire library reading room or train quiet car know that you've received a message from a friend, your Apple Watch will now measure the ambient noise levels of your surroundings and adjust the notification sound volume accordingly to be less irritating to those around you. Last year's watchOS 11 release introduced on-wrist translations. Now, Apple is taking the concept a step further with 'Live Translation' in the messaging app. This new tool, available on the Series 9, 10 and Ultra 2, will automatically translate incoming texts into a user's default language. I could see this feature being particularly useful when traveling abroad, especially if you're the type of person who easily makes friends while on holiday, language barriers be damned. This also seems like a super handy tool for communicating with friends and family members partial to a language other than your own. Now I can visually scan my shopping list — created on my iPhone hours prior — mid grocery run via a glance at the wrist. I use Apple's Notes app for a wide range of tasks, from jotting down grocery and to-do lists, to recording dreams, article concepts, date night ideas and so much more. Now, finally, Apple is bringing this simple yet oh-so-useful app to the Apple Watch. Users will be able to record notes either via dictation, the tiny virtual keyboard or through Siri. Of course, you don't need to create the note on your Apple Watch. As always, a user's notes get shared across all connected devices, meaning now I can visually scan my shopping list — created earlier on my iPhone — mid-grocery run via a glance at the wrist. Rumors strongly suggested some sort of AI-powered workout coach coming to Apple Watch, and they turned out to be true. Apple's new AI "Workout Buddy" feature — available on Series 9, 10 and Ultra 2 — is designed to deliver personalized words of encouragement, wellness insights and more mid and post workout. These messages — delivered via Bluetooth audio — are based on factors like your current heart rate, pace or speed, as well as Activity Ring history and personal workout milestones. Once you're done, the Workout Buddy sums up your efforts with key stats, along with some final thoughts to gas you up for your next session. While it sounds a tad cheesy to me (do I really need a computer-generated voice giving me a pep talk before my next bike ride?), I'm cautiously optimistic that this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to AI-powered health features on Apple Watch. The watchOS 26 developer beta is available now, while the public beta — which anyone can try — is set for a July release. As with previous updates, the full release of watchOS 26 is expected in the fall. All Apple Watch models Series 6 and later are eligible for the upgrade, as well as both SE and Ultra models.
