Apple watches

[Tybee]

I am thinking about getting an apple watch because I have switched over to an iphone (yay!) but I wonder about sharing all this biometric info--does this bother anyone else, that our biometrics are being collected and used?
I have ongoing health issues that might be helped with the watch, though.

[Teacher Terry]

I recently got the watch because I could push a button to call for help if I needed it and couldn’t get up. Basically a worst case scenario.

[catherine]

I am the queen of health apps on my Apple Watch. In fact, I got mine at an incredible discount ($57) for signing up for a two-year study during which they could use my data. I had no problem with that--it was a bona fide research study sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.

Since then, I have two sleep apps, a blood pressure app, an HRV app, a diet app, even my scale has an app (which is awesome by the way)--all work in tandem with the Apple Health app.

Maybe I'm naive, but I have no problem with that. I enjoy data, and the risk:reward ratio I feel is in my favor.

[Tybee]

This is very encouraging as I respect both of your opinions very much!

[Tradd]

I LOVE my Apple Watch. I have the 8. I’ve had previous models for three years.

I love that it tracks my steps. My doc asked if I was moving around enough at the office during regular check up last year. Pulled up workout app on iPhone (that gets data from watch) and she was happy to see I’m getting about 3.4K steps a day.

I love I can see messages as they come across (texts, FB Messenger, Signal, WhatsApp) and decide if I want to respond right away or not.

I’m a heavy user of Apple Pay and I love holding up watch to payment terminal rather than having to dig out phone.

I’ve never used mine for phone calls. I don’t have the cellular one, but since it’s connected to my phone I could initiate a call from watch.

Suggest you get the 8. It’s got a bigger display than previous models.

[Tybee]

I LOVE my Apple Watch. I have the 8. I’ve had previous models for three years.
. . . .
Suggest you get the 8. It’s got a bigger display than previous models.

Thank you! That is actually what I am looking at, the 8, for the pulse ox features and sleep features.

[Tradd]

Thank you! That is actually what I am looking at, the 8, for the pulse ox features and sleep features.

The blood O2 sensor thing must be what you’re referring to. I’m sure they developed that after Covid came along.

[Tybee]

The blood O2 sensor thing must be what you’re referring to. I’m sure they developed that after Covid came along.

Yes, I've had a clip one for 20 years, but it would be nice to have it on the watch integrated into the read outs.

[iris lilies]

I am the queen of health apps on my Apple Watch. In fact, I got mine at an incredible discount ($57) for signing up for a two-year study during which they could use my data. I had no problem with that--it was a bona fide research study sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.

Since then, I have two sleep apps, a blood pressure app, an HRV app, a diet app, even my scale has an app (which is awesome by the way)--all work in tandem with the Apple Health app.

Maybe I'm naive, but I have no problem with that. I enjoy data, and the risk:reward ratio I feel is in my favor.

how accurate is the blood pressure reading? I ask because I’m convinced I can’t get an accurate reading with my home blood pressure cuff. Every time I go to a professional to have my blood pressure taken be it at the Red Cross or at my doctors office, their reading is quite a bit lower.

[frugal-one]

I also wonder on the accuracy... I had a fitbit and it was not accurate at all. It counted movement of the arms as steps (??). I got rid of it. The current pedometer I use required customization of your steps. DH and I have the same pedometer but our results vary dramatically because he takes bigger steps. The other things on the fitbit were questionable as well. Does the Apple Watch customize for user or is it generic like the fitbit?

[Tradd]

Suggest you go the Apple website and read the watch documentation.

[Teacher Terry]

I have been wearing my Fitbit in my sock for years so it only counts steps. I have noticed that my steps on the Apple Watch are way less than my Fitbit. I googled it and the Fitbit is much more accurate for steps but the heart rate monitor is much more accurate on the watch. My Apple Watch is often off by 1500-2k steps which is normal from what I read.

[iris lilies]

I have been wearing my Fitbit in my sock for years so it only counts steps. I have noticed that my steps on the Apple Watch are way less than my Fitbit. I googled it and the Fitbit is much more accurate for steps but the heart rate monitor is much more accurate on the watch. My Apple Watch is often off by 1500-2k steps which is normal from what I read.

I wondered about the accuracy of those step measuring devices to, but realistically, it’s mainly important to be internally consistent so that you’re always measuring yourself against yourself.