Apple Watch For Dummies. Marc Saltzman

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СКАЧАТЬ 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 — means you can also 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 can do this, too. See Chapter 5 for how to take advantage of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

      Cellular

      As I mention previously in this chapter, Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE have models called GPS and GPS + Cellular. As you can guess, the GPS + Cellular watches cost a little more, but it means you can make a call, send a text, and stream Apple Music from your wrist — all without your iPhone. You will need to pay your mobile phone provider an extra amount per month (usually $10/month) 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 LTE and UMTS cellular bands. That said, be aware there is no Apple Watch model that supports worldwide roaming.

For business travelers, Apple watch models can be purchased for specific locales: Europe/Asia Pacific and China mainland, for example.

      Beginning with Apple Watch Series 5, emergency calling now works in countries outside of the U.S. (see Chapter 5).

      NFC (near field communication)

      NFC is a short-range radio technology (like Bluetooth) that has a number of 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 is part of Apple Pay, Apple’s mobile payment solution for secure cash- and card-less payments. Check out Chapter 10 for more on Apple Pay.

      GPS

      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 8 to learn more about the Activity and Workout apps.

      

Ever want to take a screenshot of something on your Apple Watch, such as an impressive day of physical activity? Press and hold the side button and 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 first enable screenshots by opening the Apple Watch app on an iPhone, and then tapping My Watch ⇒ General ⇒ Enable Screenshots.

      Accelerometer, gyroscope, barometric altimeter, compass

As with 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 not accept a call, or calculating fitness activities, including your 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 — like counting the steps you climb or descend — as well as calculating altitude, for those who ski, hike, or mountain climb!

      Beginning with Apple Watch Series 6, it’s now an “always-on” altimeter for all-day real-time elevation data captured on your wrist.

      With the Apple Watch’s accelerometer and gyroscope sensor, Apple Watch Series 4 (2018), Apple Watch Series 5 (2019), Apple Watch Series 6 (2020), and Apple Watch SE (2020) all can detect if 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.

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

      Heart rate sensor

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

       Gauging your exercise intensity and tracking overall calorie burn: (This is an estimation based on info you first input, required only once, such as your height, weight, gender, and age.) Apple Watch listens to your heart’s beats per minute (BPM) 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 the fun applications too, such as sharing your heartbeat with someone — felt on his or her Apple Watch — to show you’re thinking about that person. See Chapter 5 for how to share this information to your heart’s content.

      Electrocardiogram (ECG)

      Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, and Apple Watch Series 6 models all include an electrical heart rate sensor that can take an electrocardiogram (ECG) 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 and the reading is completed within just 30 seconds. The ECG app tracks whether your heart is beating in a regular pattern or if you have signs of atrial fibrillation, a clear indicator of serious health problems.

      Blood O2 monitor (pulse oximeter)

      Beginning with Apple Watch Series 6, your wearable device is capable of detecting blood oxygen levels. When initiated by the user by tapping the Apple Watch app, green, red, and infrared LEDs shine light into your wrist, and photodiodes measure the amount of light reflected back. Advanced algorithms then calculate the color of your blood, which indicates the amount of oxygen present. Wow. Blood oxygen levels between 95 and 100 percent are considered healthy — a lower percentage could indicate compromised heart, lungs, or brain functionality — but be sure to consult with your doctor. In fact, Apple stresses the Blood Oxygen app is not intended for medical use, but rather, designed for general fitness and wellness purposes.

      Ambient light sensor

      Finally, СКАЧАТЬ