Wearable technology is becoming increasingly popular with people wanting to stay connected no matter where they are. Not long ago most people only had a cell phone in their lives, but the current generation is more likely to be taking calls while they swim, cycle and run more than ever before. These newer technologies are spreading revolutions across the world.
One such example is WatchOS 9 by Apple. With its advanced features, Apple is aiming toward better and advanced healthcare.
Let’s deep dive into the latest WatchOS 9 health features.
Latest WatchOS 9 Health Features
We’re excited about the several new features the Apple Watch will soon receive. At Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) held on June 6 2022, Apple unveiled the latest WatchOS 9 health features to help you stay connected, active and healthy. While some features are tied to workouts and will be fantastic for fitness enthusiasts, others could even be life-saving—making the Apple Watch the preferred choice for individuals who want to stay on top of their health.
The eight latest WatchOS 9 health features listed below are ones we can’t wait to try out.
- The New AFib Feature
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) leads to several health issues, including stroke. The longer you remain in AFib, the more issues you may experience. Apple Watch’s ECG app can assist you in identifying AFib at the earliest.
Patients with AFib can now track the frequency of AFib symptoms in their heart rhythm. They will also receive insights into heart rhythm on a weekly and monthly basis which can be downloaded into PDF and shared with healthcare providers.
- Heart Rate Zone
Apple is adding Heart Rate Zones to the WatchOS 9 that will allow you to alter the training styles, zones and intervals. This function helps in keeping track of the intensity of a workout. with this function. The intention is to increase heart rate to improve general health. For added motivation, you will receive reminders on your heart rate and pace. The intention is to increase heart rate to improve general health.
- Sleep Metrics
Many users found the Sleep app in previous versions to be lacking features, WatchOS 9 will fix that. Enhanced functions like the ability to monitor your sleep quality, will now be available on your Apple Watch.
Apple Watch will utilise its accelerometer and heart rate sensor to determine the stages of your sleep—REM, Core or Deep Sleep. Along with sleep stages, your Apple Watch will provide you with extra data such as heart and respiration rates.
- The New Medication Tracker App
Users of the Apple Watch and iPhone will now be able to track their medications and dietary supplements with the new Medications app. They will be able to make a list of their drugs, set up schedules and reminders and view information about their medications, among other things. In the US, this entails that users will be informed if any of their prescriptions have the potential to interact in a harmful way.
- Workout and Fitness
The latest WatchOS 9 health features upgrades will delight fitness enthusiasts, but triathletes can also get the most out of their Watch.
Apple introduced an exercise that alternates between running, riding and swimming. As detected by its motion sensors, Apple Watch will switch to the appropriate mode based on the exercise you’re doing automatically. On the summary page of the Fitness applications, you can view the data for all three workouts.
- Competition with Yourself
Now, when running your most-used routes, you will be able to compete against your best performance. To gauge your progress over time, you can also compete against your previous performance. Apple Watch will notify you while you’re running off your performance and if you are ahead of or behind yourself.
The new pacer tool allows you to pick a target for the amount of time and distance you wish to cover, and it will automatically determine the speed you must maintain to meet that target.
- Running Metrics
Additionally, the Workout app will offer a tonne of fresh and potent running analytics. Tracking for stride, length, ground contact time and vertical oscillation will be available. While exercising, you can monitor all these measures or you can use the Health app on your iPhone to have a better understanding of your overall development.
- Swimming Improvements
In the upcoming WatchOS 9, a brand-new function called Kickboard detection will be included as a new kind of stroke for pool swim workouts. Being water-resistant, the Apple Watch will be able to recognise when you’re using a kickboard while swimming and identify the type of stroke you’re using.
Additionally, if you enjoy swimming, you will be able to monitor your SWOLF score. The score measures your swimming efficiency by taking into account your stroke length, count, and swimming time.
New Model Vs. Old Model
Apple’s most recent two software updates were compatible with watches dating back to the Series 3, but in 2022, that could change. The Series 3 might be abandoned since it won’t be able to handle the upcoming version of WatchOS, according to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst well recognised for his Apple forecasts.
That indicates that WatchOS 9 will probably work with the Series 4 and later. Apple introduced the Series 3 in 2017 as the first device with integrated cellular capabilities, allowing it to function apart from the iPhone. However, due to the Series 3’s ageing features, we do not suggest purchasing one in 2022. There are better options for the price, and because of its small storage capacity, updating it is a hassle.
Take-Home Message
Apple has a lot planned for WatchOS 9. The expected enhancements consist of elements that encourage rest and recovery after a workout, more thorough sleep tracking and the flexibility to change activity targets according to the day of the week. The latest WatchOS 9 features will enable Apple Watch to catch up to competing Oura and Fitbit devices, particularly with sleep tracking and workout recovery. Hence, Apple’s upcoming software upgrade will once again focus heavily on health and wellbeing.
It’s just another indication that the Apple Watch has developed into a sophisticated health monitoring tool that is capable of more than just tracking physical activity and exercises. The upgrade will work well with the anticipated Apple Watch’s latest Series.
