Marc Saltzman - Apple Watch For Dummies

Even if you don’t have a cellular model, Apple Watch features Wi-Fi, which gives it online connectivity even when no iPhone is in sight. As long as you’re on a wireless network, such as your home’s Internet connection or a coffee shop’s hotspot, you can access such information as email, live sports scores, mapping information, and so on. A feature called Continuity — introduced in iOS 8 — allows you to receive messages and take calls on multiple iOS devices (such as answering a call on your iPad) as long as you’re in range of your Wi-Fi network, and Apple Watch has this feature too. See Chapter 5for details on how to take advantage of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

As I mention previously in this chapter, newer Apple Watch models (Series 6, 7, and SE) are available as GPS or GPS + Cellular. As you can guess, the GPS + Cellular watches cost a little more, but they let you make a call, send a text, and stream Apple Music from your wrist — all without your iPhone. You’ll need to pay your mobile phone provider an extra amount per month (usually about $10) to activate the eSIM inside Apple Watch. That is, you don’t need to insert a physical SIM card, like the one in your iPhone, to access the LTE and UMTS cellular bands.

Be aware, however, that no Apple Watch model supports worldwide roaming. Business travelers can purchase Apple Watch models for specific locales, such as Europe, Asia Pacific, and mainland China.

Beginning with Apple Watch Series 5, emergency calling works in countries outside the United States (see Chapter 5).

NFC (near-field communication) is a short-range radio technology (like Bluetooth) that has numerous applications but is most commonly associated with mobile payments, similar to waving or tapping your iPhone on a contactless terminal at retail locations (or a compatible vending machine) to make a secure purchase. Apple Watch also uses NFC to make a digital handshake with the terminal to complete the transaction. Yep, it’s all in the wrist. This feature is part of Apple Pay, Apple’s mobile payment solution for secure cash- and cardless payments. Check out Chapter 10for more on Apple Pay.

Except for the first Apple Watch (Series 1, from 2015), Apple Watch has an integrated GPS chip to identify its location on Earth down to a few meters of accuracy. Therefore, when coupled with mapping applications, GPS can help you see your location on a map, get directions from point A to point B, look for local businesses of interest, and more. GPS can also help with tracking fitness data when measuring steps won’t help (such as in cycling). Along with the accelerometer (discussed next), built-in heart rate sensor, and Wi-Fi, Apple Watch’s GPS can help measure distance traveled. Jog on over to Chapter 8to learn more about the Activity and Workout apps.

Ever want to take a screen shot of something on your Apple Watch, such as an impressive day of physical activity? Press and hold the side button; then tap the Digital Crown. You’ll hear a shutter button, the watch face will flash white, and the image will appear wirelessly in your iPhone’s photo gallery. You may need to enable screen shots first by opening the Apple Watch app on an iPhone and tapping My Watch ⇒ General ⇒ Enable Screenshots.

While there aren’t a lot of use-cases for it yet, Apple added Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology to its Apple Watch Series 7. Similar to iPhones with UWB (beginning with iPhone 11 in 2019), this feature provides more precise location and spatial awareness. As you’ll see in Chapter 10, you can unlock a compatible car without even having to hold the iPhone or Apple Watch near the door lock.

Like other smartwatches and activity bands on the market, Apple Watch has an accelerometer that measures movement, whether you’re lifting the watch to your face to turn on the screen; lowering your wrist to decline a call; or calculating fitness activities, including steps taken (like a 21st-century pedometer), total distance traveled, time spent exercising, and estimated calories burned. Beginning with Apple Watch Series 3 (2017), the watch also has an integrated barometric altimeter for measuring elevation (counting the steps you climb or descend) as well as calculating altitude for those who ski, hike, or climb mountains. Beginning with Apple Watch Series 6, the altimeter is always on, providing all-day, real-time elevation data on your wrist.

With the Apple Watch’s accelerometer and gyroscope sensor, Apple Watch Series 4 (2018) and newer models can detect whether you’ve fallen, and you can initiate a call to emergency services (or dismiss the alert). If you’re unresponsive after 60 seconds, Apple Watch automatically places the emergency call and sends a message with your location to your emergency contacts. Note: This feature is different from speaking to a live operator if you call, as you would with a service such as Philips Lifeline, but this feature is very handy to have on your wrist nonetheless (and you have no monthly fees to worry about).

A compass has been added to Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 6 models, always pointing you north inside apps like Maps, and there’s a dedicated Compass app too. (Cue the song “Go West” by the Pet Shop Boys or the Village People first!)

A custom heart-rate sensor included with Apple Watch helps you in two ways.

Gauging your exercise intensity and tracking overall calorie burn: (This data is an estimation based on info you input one time, such as your height, weight, gender, and age.) Apple Watch listens to your heartbeats per minute and shows you data on the screen — if and when you call for it.

Tracking your heart rate throughout the day: Apple Watch can alert you if it detects unusually high or low heart rates — and yes, you can set the parameters if you want, even if you don’t feel symptoms. Behind the watch are multiple sensors that measure your pulse through your skin. Going beyond fitness are fun applications, such as the one that lets you share your heartbeat with someone — felt on their Apple Watch — to show you’re thinking about them. See Chapter 5for how to share this information to your heart’s content.

Beginning with Apple Watch Series 4 (except Apple Watch SE), all Apple Watch models include an electrical heart-rate sensor that can take an electrocardiogram (ECG) by using an ECG app; the built-in sensor and the electrodes are included in the Digital Crown button. You take an ECG reading by placing a finger on the Digital Crown while wearing Apple Watch; the reading is completed within 30 seconds. The ECG app tracks whether your heart is beating in a regular pattern or whether you have signs of atrial fibrillation — a clear indicator of serious health problems.

Beginning with Apple Watch Series 6, your wearable device is capable of detecting blood-oxygen levels. When you tap the Apple Watch app, green, red, and infrared LEDs shine light into your wrist, and photodiodes measure the amount of light reflected back. Then advanced algorithms calculate the color of your blood, indicating the amount of oxygen present. Wow. Blood-oxygen levels between 95 and 100 percent are considered to be healthy — a lower percentage could indicate compromised heart, lung, or brain functionality — but be sure to consult your doctor. In fact, Apple stresses that the Blood Oxygen app is not intended for medical use; it’s designed for general fitness and wellness purposes.