Tag: WatchOS

Here Is How Apple Watch Covers All Bases In Modern Healthcare

In a world where health concerns are on the rise, each step taken in the right direction may save lives. Apple recognised the need for a device that brings genuine utility for its consumers. Rather than making an entirely new product, it has added new layers of functionality that enables the device to be a small but impactful health partner.

Apple has focused on making the Watch a standalone experience with its own unique functions. With the inclusion of an ECG sensor on the Apple Watch series 4, health took an active role with the device. Incorporating many of the health monitoring features that have been popular in the mobile industry such as tracking the number of steps taken. With individuals becoming more self-aware and conscious with their health, the industry soon adapted to provide the market with their current demands.

Health partner bands and companion wearable devices are not a new concept now, but Apple with its inclusion of functions like noise detection and menstrual cycle tracking made the experience a lot more streamlined and rounded. ECG sensor that brought real-time monitoring of heart rate, in countries like India where heart conditions affect nearly one-third of the entire adult population, makes it more than a useful tool for everyday use. (ECG is presently only available in limited countries)

The latest update to watchOS 6 had Apple say, ‘why stop there?’ The company along with its new ‘faces’ has seamlessly integrated pro-health functions to the Apple Watch. The ‘Loud Noise’ detecting app is one such application that passively records and measure sound levels in the users surrounding ambience. Noise pollution has become a real epidemic in the modern world and areas where sound levels cross 90 decibels are immediately notified to the user as harmful and unsafe. This function has yet to be reproduced by other manufacturers that target health-conscious consumers.

Apple, for its women userbase, has added a uniquely interactive app that lets them track their menstrual cycles. With the new Cycle Tracking App, women can log important data related to their menstrual cycles. The application with data inputs is also capable of predicting future cycles beforehand along with current period flow, symptoms and results from ovulation prediction kits. Fertility and ovulation can also be tracked by Apple Watch.

Also Read: Apple Mac Pro Is The Productivity Machine Apple Promised

No wearable device/companion, even the ones specifically made for health monitoring feature such degree of functionality at this size. Apple succeeded in making the best wearable device in the market in this regard. Users can get a full picture of their health right on their wrist without ever needing an iPhone.

Apple has also made the Apple Watch a more stand alone device, which means it can function without requiring input from the iPhone. The Apple Watch offers Fall detection and emergency auto dial for the elderly, Heart Rate monitoring, and ECG, along with several other features like, Breathe reminders and fitness tracking which include auto exercise detection. The Apple Watch has already saved a lot of lives with some of it’s features and with more being added with WatchOS 6, the Apple Watch has now become the most well developed fitness and health tracker.

June 4, 2019
Apple Showcases The Updated watchOS 6 and tvOS 13 At WWDC 2019

Apple at WWDC 2019 has delivered on the many requests made by its consumers and fans. Many of the initial rumours were also confirmed within the event. With the company’s focus shifting away from its star player, iOS, and towards the improvement of its other products. In WWDC, the company officially unveiled the new and improved watchOS and tvOS to its audiences present in the event and those watching it live online.

Apple tvOS 13

Apple announced changes for its already revamped Apple TV app with its latest tvOS 13. The new redesigned home screen brought some welcomed aesthetical changes with live previews and cleaner organization. The biggest addition to the tvOS is the ability to add multiple users. Each added member receives personalized recommendations for both Apple TV app and Apple music.

The music app will also be fully synced with complete lyrics displayed alongside the music that is being played. tvOS is scheduled to launch this fall and will feature native support for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 game controllers for its Apple Arcade lineup of games. Apple is set to launch its streaming service later on in the year 2019. Showcasing the service with the reveal trailer of ‘For All Mankind’ as one of the first shows that will be in the streaming service.

Apple watchOS 6

WWDC saw the split of Apple’s core focus from iPhones and shift it towards other devices such as Apple Watch. However, it does make changes for a better standalone experience rather than being just an iPhone peripheral.

The company adds more layers of options and functionality to the new watchOS rather than radically redesigning everything. The biggest design changes are the new ‘Faces’, meant for showcasing the graphic designs with details added for more information on the screen. ‘Faces’ deliver customisation on supported apps with custom notifications.

One of the key announcements for watchOS was definitely the addition of certain apps such as Calculator, Audiobooks and Voice memos. With the latest update apps run natively on the wearable device. This means applications will no longer require a companion app on iPhones to pair with. The introduction of new streaming API will allow apps to stream audio directly to the watch.

Also Read: Apple Launches The All New Revamped Mac Pro Alongside The Pro Display XDR 6K Monitor

A notable announcement on-stage was the inclusion of the App Store integration in the watchOS 6. This will let users pay, browse and download apps directly from their wrists. Apple also made software downloads a direct process on the Apple Watch. Building on its pre-existing health-related features, the company has added a myriad of monitoring and informative functions that will also be available on iPhones. These include apps for monitoring sound levels and menstrual cycle tracking for women.

June 4, 2019
Apple WatchOS Might Support Third Party Watch Faces In The Future

Apple Watch is one of the most successful smartwatches with a market share of 21%. Apple WatchOS has been appreciated for a lot of features like, easy to navigate UI, battery life and design. However, just like iPhones, Apple has a control over the design elements of the smartwatch. This means, only Apple can develop new Watch Faces. This might change soon, as, according to a new leak, the Apple WatchOS might soon support third-party Watch Faces has been hinted in the source code of the WatchOS 4.3.1.

The line of code leaked from the latest version of watchOS has a statement ‘This is where the 3rd party face config bundle generation would happen’, which means, Apple could finally enable to developers to create Watch Faces using the WatchOS Kit. However, as of now, the feature has not been enabled on the current version of the watchOS and the company might announce this feature at the Apple World Wide Developer’s Conference 2018.

Considering the number of developers that watchOS has, Apple Watch could get a whole array of watch faces.

April 16, 2018
Google Wear OS Is Now Official

Wear OS is now officially the moniker that Google will use for its smartwatch OS. The new branding will be available on a select number of smartwatches, which were running Android Wear.

Google and its smartwatch OS has been fighting a losing battle with Apple’s watchOS. Apple Watch and its three iterations have helped Apple become the biggest watchmaker in the world. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Apple shipped more Apple Watches than the entire Swiss watch industry. With such enormous popularity, it feels like it will take more than just rebranding for Google to revive Android smartwatches.

While the rebranding kind of resembles the moniker Apple uses, the features are not similar in any way. Google, so far, has not announced any new features that will hit the market. Prominent non-Apple smartwatch makers like Samsung now use their own OS instead of Wear OS. However, unlike an Apple Watch, a Samsung S Gear watch is compatible with other Android devices.

Apple Watch

The exclusivity of the Apple Watch almost plays into its favour. Apple has built a massively impenetrable ecosystem around its devices. Every iPhone owner who wants a smartwatch is automatically no longer a potential Android smartwatch customer. That is solely because an Apple Watch works more cohesively with an iPhone.

Just like the Android OS market, Android Wear OS market is extremely fragmented. From Samsung, Huawei to Fossil, Android Wear smartwatches are made by a lot of manufacturers. This means that the level of customisation and cohesion that an Apple Watch provides, an Android Wear smartwatch simply cannot.

Google, however, is definitely trying to make it work. The smartwatch industry is well on its path to become similar to the tablet industry. Where its either an iPad or nothing. But, for Google to prevent that, it will take more than just rebranding.

March 16, 2018
Apple updates to WatchOS 3

Apple has updated the WatchOS to version 3, with WatchOS 3 Apple is paying strict attention to performance and basic usage addons.

The new load times for apps on WatchOS 3 are seven times faster. Apple has also included the Mini Mouse watch face and a new activity circle watch face, which will come in either analogue or digital.

You will also get control centre just like iOS by simply swiping up from the bottom of the watch face.

There is also a new scribble feature that will let you scribble characters on the watch face directly to make words and sentences for replying more quietly in various languages.

Apple WatchOS 3 will also allow you to make emergency services calls like 911 in the US, and you will be able to make calls instantly from the watch. Apple watch will automatically switch to emergency numbers in the country you are using the Apple Watch.

The Activity sharing feature allows you to compete with your friends with your workouts and fitness goals. The new Breathe app reminds you to do the most important thing to stay alive, breathe. The app will give you quick directions on how to get quick deep breaths in for a more relaxed mind.

June 13, 2016
The Apple Watch is Finally Coming to India

Apple is all set to launch the Apple Watch in India. The company’s India website now features a Watch option on the top along with other Apple products. The smartwatch will hit the stores on November 6th, according to the website.

The Apple Watch was first unveiled in March and began rolling out in April with a few countries at a time. The Watch is available in two variants – 38 mm and 42 mm. The US price of the Apple Watch’s base Sport model is $349 (around Rs. 23,000), which can be expected to cost close to Rs. 30,000 in India. The company has launched close to 34 combinations of the Watch with prices going as high as $10,000 for the Watch edition.

Apple has been mum on how well the Apple Watch has been doing. The company has also refused to disclose how many units it has sold till date. Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the information was privileged and that he didn’t want to “help the competition.” That hasn’t stopped analysts trying to come up with an estimate. Some analysts have said that Apple has managed to ship 4.2 million units in the last three months.

Apple recently unveiled the new watchOS 2, the updated system software for the Apple Watch, which brought features like activation lock, native apps, email reply and more. You can also use Messenger on the Apple Watch.

The biggest challenge is whether the Indian market is ready for wearable technologies like a smartwatch. It may be a while before consumers are ready to have something expensive around their wrists, and initial sales may not be as big as one is used to when an Apple product launches in India. However, the news has already gotten Indian developers building apps for the Watch, and some of the first ones include the likes of Cleartrip, HDFC Bank app, and Avaamo among others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ql0Z8Il73s

October 23, 2015