dave marsh

I think Apple has missed the window with this project.  They typically aren’t first, but when they do arrive always come out with category changing products.  I’m not sure what they could bring to the table at this point that isn’t already hitting the market in various flawed interactions.  Without a company champion driving the project, we should consider this just an expensive research effort.

As a sage once pontificated, Apple isn’t just going to jump in and win in this category.  Why, there are automakers with over 100 years of experience, not to mention watchmakers with over 100 years of experience, or portable phone makers with decades of experience, or …

As an old person, I’ve been wearing the Apple Watch since its release.  I even discovered how well its fall detection worked when I had a hard fall following an equilibrium issue.  It monitors my heart rate, my blood oxygen level, I do occasional EKGs with it, and I even use it to record my daily workouts, all this info pouring back into the Health app on my iPhone.  My iPhone’s Health app is even linked with my health provider so I can see lab results and doctor’s comments, and with my weight scale measuring my weight and BMI.

The Apple Watch is a full featured health monitoring device that I hope continues to add features, and is so much better than the cheap lanyard button that requires the user to press a button to call a monitoring service for a monthly fee.  If I had passed out after that hard fall, my Apple Watch would have even called 911 and my spouse to alert them I was in trouble.  I don’t see my ever not wearing my Apple Watch in my future.

And that doesn’t even cover my calendar notifications, news and weather updates, HomeKit control of my home.  So, it’s an invaluable tool for ordinary non-health related issues, as well.

Same.  Mine’s still 1.0.276

GeorgeBMac said:

pulseimages said:

Is the ability to detect a fall automatically enabled in the Apple Watch Series 4, or later, if the owner isn’t over 65? 

I don't think fall detection on the Apple Watch has any connection to age.

But the healthcare system assumes you are more likely to fall if you are over 65 because they substitute chronological age generalizations for health and physical fitness.

My PCP had to ask the standard Medicare questions at my last checkup -- including the "Have you fallen in the last 12 months".  My answer was that I tripped over a leaf covered, half buried rock while out running in the woods -- which is something none of my doctors would be able to do and, in fact, she was in a cast after breaking her ankle when she tripped over a curb).  But somehow it was me who got classified as a fall risk!

Apple Watch automatically turns on Fall Detection calls if you’ve entered your age in the Health App or Emergency Contact area and you’re over 55.  https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208944