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Apple Watch

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Apple Watch is Apple's wearable is designed to help you stay active, motivated, and connected. It runs watchOS, and it comes in 40mm and 44mm size options.

How to see all Apple Watch apps

History

The original Apple Watch (later called Series 0) was released on April 24, 2015, after years of rumors. While there was a lot of initial hype around it, the third-party watchOS apps were slow to launch due to API limitations. Native apps were available in watchOS 2. The original watch came in 38mm and 42mm sizes.

The Series 2 Watch was released on September 16th, 2016 along with a Series 1 Watch. The Series 2 included the S2 chip, built-in GPS, and water-proof construction. The Series 1 included the S2, but lacked GPS and waterproofing.

The Series 3 Watch was released on September 22, 2017, and it included an LTE option and the S3 chip. The Series 4 Watch was released on September 21, 2018. New hardware included the S4 Chip, Electrical heart sensor w/ ECG app, and larger display (40mm and 44mm sizes).

Apple Watch Series 5 was announced during Apple’s fall event on September 10, 2019. Customers were able to purchase the device later that day, and it was released on September 20. The headline feature for this model was the wearable’s always-on display. The new display always shows the time and complications and is also the first from the company to include a built-in compass.

Apple launched international emergency services to every cellular model. Series 5 also brought back ceramic white, and new natural brush and space black titanium models.

Apple Watch Series 6 was unveiled on September 15, 2020 at the “Time Flies” event alongside the more affordable SE and new iPad Air. New features of the Series 6 include blood oxygen monitoring, new watch colors, faster S6 chip, new watch faces, and more.

Apple Watch features

Apple Watch is designed to help you stay active, motivated, and connected. The newest versions are Series 6 and SE while Apple still sells Series 3 as the most affordable option.

Features include:

  • Heart rate monitoring (all models)
    • Including high, low, and irregular heart rate notifications
  • ECG readings (Series 4 and later)
  • Blood oxygen monitoring (Series 6)
  • Workout tracking, Activity Rings, competitions, and awards
  • Works with Apple Fitness+
  • Sleep tracking (with watchOS 7)
  • GPS and GPS + Cellular models
  • Always-on display (Series 5 & 6)
  • Water-resistant to 50 meters
  • Emergency SOS and fall detection
  • Phone calls and Messages
  • Music, Podcasts, and more
  • Third-party apps available through App Store built into watchOS

watchOS

watchOS is the dedicated software that runs on Apple Watch. The current version is watchOS 7 that was released in fall 2020 and is compatible with Series 3 and later.

watchOS 7 brought new features like native sleep tracking, Family Setup, watch face sharing, new workout tracking types, cycling directions in maps, and automatic handwashing reminders.

Apple Fitness+ support and new cardio fitness notifications came with watchOS 7.2 And watchOS 7.4 is coming with the exciting new Apple Watch unlock for iPhone feature.

Current Apple Watch lineup

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2023 Apple Watch models could yet remain on sale – four potential solutions

Apple Watch health

We yesterday revealed the shock news that 2023 Apple Watch models would be withdrawn from sale before the holidays, following an earlier ruling that the devices infringe on patents held by health tech company Masimo.

However, just because Apple has announced this intention, that doesn’t mean it will necessarily happen. There are four potential get-out clauses for the company …

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Apple developing possible software workaround in response to Apple Watch ban

Earlier today, 9to5Mac reported that Apple is set to halt sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 later this week following an ITC ruling. That ruling came as part of a long-running patent dispute between Apple and medical technology company Masimo.

A new report this evening now corroborates that one avenue Apple is exploring, if the ITC ban is upheld, is a software change to watchOS 10.

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Comment: 4 reasons to go for Apple Watch Series 8 or earlier

Apple Watch Series 7 vs 9

With a US ban on Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 starting this week, availability of the latest wearables from the company could dry up. But amid the uncertainty is an opportunity to consider the benefits of picking up an Apple Watch Series 8 or earlier. Here are four reasons to go for a previous-generation Apple Watch.

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Apple to halt Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 sales in the US this week

In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple has announced that it will soon halt sales of its flagship Apple Watch models in the United States.

The Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 will no longer be available to purchase from Apple starting later this week.

The move comes following an ITC ruling as part of a long-running patent dispute between Apple and medical technology company Masimo around the Apple Watch’s blood oxygen sensor technology.

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Nomad launches Titanium Band and Steel Band for smaller 41, 40, and 38mm Apple Watches [U]

The band is finally back in stock after being back-ordered since the launch of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 back in September.

Nomad has launched its high-end Titanium Band and Steel Band today for the smaller Apple Watch sizes. These premium metal link bracelets are adjustable and come with features like a scratch-resistant coating and a sleek magnetic clasp.

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Stanford study: Apple Watch could be better than traditional monitors at detecting irregular heartbeats in kids

ITC rules that Apple Watch infringed AliveCor's ECG patent, US sales potentially threatened

Researchers at Stanford University have published a new paper on how Apple Watch can help identify arrhythmia in children and young adults. As reported by MyHealthyApple, those researchers have concluded that “Apple Watch can record arrhythmia events in children, including events not identified on traditionally used ambulatory monitors.”

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Apple explains why only the latest Apple Watch models support new Siri + Health features

Apple released watchOS 10.2 for Apple Watch users today, with a few notable new features. One of the biggest changes is support for accessing and logging Health app data using Siri. In a new interview, Apple executives offer additional details on this feature – and address why it’s limited to the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

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Are FineWoven Apple Watch bands really better than leather ones?

Even before Apple announced the Apple Watch Series 9, there were rumors that the company wanted to replace its leather accessories with something else. I was a bit skeptical about this since I’ve always been a fan of Apple Watch leather bands. In September, Apple announced the new FineWoven accessories. Now, I’ve finally decided to try the FineWoven Apple Watch band. Is it better than the leather band?

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GymKit makes the gym sync with Apple Watch

So here’s a cool thing. Yesterday, I rejoined my old gym at the YMCA. It’s $64/month instead of $10/month at Planet Fitness, but that includes two hours of childcare – must-have for a single parent.

Anyway, it also has GymKit equipment. As an Apple nerd first and a person who wants to workout second, GymKit equipment is super encouraging. For everyone else with an Apple Watch, it’s the best way to sync up workout data, like heart rate, distance, and calories, that might not otherwise be available or accurate.

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Apple Watch sees best ever Q3 numbers, as Huawei hurts Samsung

Apple Watch sales

New market intelligence data suggests that the Apple Watch has seen its best ever Q3 shipments, up 7% year-on-year. The latest Apple Watch SE was credited with contributing “significantly” to that growth.

The biggest winner was Huawei, which this year emerged as a major player in the premium smartwatch market, taking many of its sales from Samsung …

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Here’s what’s new with the Fitness app in iOS 17

Apple Watch goals

iOS 17 comes with an updated Fitness app to more easily view your activity tracked by Apple Watch along with a redesigned trophy case, updates to sharing, and even tips from Apple Fitness+ trainers. Follow along for a look at the new Fitness app in iOS 17.

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How my Apple Watch helped me stop stressing about insomnia

Stop stressing about insomnia | Pre-sunrise in London

A chance decision made early next year turned out to pay dividends some 18 months later: An Apple Watch worn overnight proved incredibly helpful when dealing with a bout of insomnia.

Specifically, it helped me through a common vicious circle with insomnia: You can’t sleep, you get stressed about the fact that you’re not sleeping, which makes it harder to fall asleep …

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Toning down the Apple Watch: Tips and feature requests to avoid being overwhelmed

I think a lot about trying to find a healthy balance with notifications from the Apple Watch.

Some are useful because they reach you when your iPhone isn’t around. Others let you decide you can respond to something later without getting distracted by your phone. Many have no benefit and risk making you more distracted by your watch or numb to notifications altogether. Apple Watch alerts from iPhone are all on by default currently. You can turn them off app-by-app, but you’ll need to repeat this for every new app download.

I think notifications on Apple Watch should be off by default, even if they’re on for the iPhone app. With the current default, Apple should at least include a toggle to disable watch notifications and turn them back on individually. A new system could be much more sophisticated, allowing watch alerts for certain contacts and specific types of alerts from apps. In the meantime, reversing the current behavior or adding an off toggle for all apps would help.

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Should you buy a cellular Apple Watch? Here’s everything to consider

apple watch cellular

The Apple Watch lineup is available in a number of different options and configurations, ranging from different case materials, colors, sizes, and more. One of the most important things to consider, however, is whether or not you should buy an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity.

An Apple Watch with LTE lets you go out in the world without your iPhone while still remaining connected. It’s a useful feature but one that comes at a cost.

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