Summary / Readers Response Draft 1

The DC RAINMAKER (2022) web page titled "Apple Watch Ultra In-Depth Review: It’s a start!" presents an insightful overview of what sets the Apple Watch Ultra apart in today's smartwatch landscape. The Apple Watch Ultra is equipped with an electrocardiogram (ECG), alerts for both high and low heart rates, fall detection, emergency SOS functionality, international emergency calling, car crash detection, a blood oxygen sensor, sleep stage tracking, and a newly integrated temperature sensor. (Savvides, 2022) One of Apple’s major contenders throughout the years has been Samsung. Both have garnered attention in recent times with their latest releases with Samsung’s being the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. (Johnson, 2023) They're similarities make them natural competitors. (Johnson, 2022, para. 2) But historically, one of the biggest blockers to many athletes using an Apple Watch was lack of battery life, combined with lack of buttons. The Ultra aims to solve both of those concerns, while adding in a number of other features along the way. . (“Apple,” 2022, para. 2). Apple Watch Ultra stands out as the leading option in the industry of smart watches with its high-g accelerometer that detects falls and crashes, electrical heart sensor and blood oxygen sensor, that sets the benchmark for smartwatches in the industry.

The high-g accelerometer is a crucial sensor for monitoring motion and activities in smartwatches. In the context of a smartwatch, this sensor is utilised to monitor motion and various activities, including counting steps, calculating travel distances, and estimating calories burned. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals aged 65 and above face the highest risk of injury-related fatalities due to falls. (Baluch & Brumberg, 2023). This information about the significance of the high-g accelerometer and its role in smartwatches connects with the broader context of health and safety, especially in the context of features like Apple’s Crash Detection. As explained by Stephenson (2022), the Crash Detection feature in Apple’s devices utilises a combination of sensors, including the accelerometer, to detect major impacts and accidents, offering an example of practical application.

In addition to the high-g accelerometer, Apple Watch Ultra also incorporated a heart rate monitor.
The inclusion of an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) in modern health wearables is significant for monitoring heart health. In contemporary smartwatches and fitness trackers, heart rate monitors have become commonplace, but what sets health wearables apart now is the integration of ECG technology, which offers a more comprehensive view of heart health. According to Swah (2023), electrocardiogram was first introduced into the wearable spotlight through the Apple Watch Series 4, but it is now available on smartwatches produced by Samsung, Google, Fitbit and even Huawei and Garmin. "Afib can come and go, as can conditions that affect the rhythm of your heart. That means having a device that can take spot readings at any time, makes it a hugely powerful health tool to have at your disposal," Dr. Conor Heneghan, Director of Research Algorithm at Fitbit. (Swah. 2022) This highlights the practical benefits of ECG technology in these devices.

Apart from the heart rate monitor, the Apple Watch Ultra incorporates a blood oxygen sensor, which is notable for its accuracy. A recent study conducted, assessed the accuracy of the blood oxygen sensor in the Apple Watch. The findings revealed that this sensor’s accuracy is on par with that of medical-grade pulse oximeters, a significant development in wearable technology. (Szpytek, 2022) “To come to that conclusion, the study used 24 healthy participants, each wearing an Apple Watch Series 6 on their wrist and clamped a Masimo Radical-7, a common pulse oximeter, on the middle finger of the same hand. The participants then did various breathing exercises to manipulate their blood oxygen levels to see how the Apple Watch performed when compared to the Masimo Radical-7.” (Szpytek, 2022, para. 4) This research underscores the Apple Watch Ultra’s potential as a reliable health monitoring tool, even though it should not be considered a substitute for official medical devices. The accuracy of the blood oxygen sensor adds to the watches overall capabilities in providing users with valuable health insights.

While Apple Watch Ultra offers a plethora of benefits and functionalities to its users, there is a notable limitation that has drawn both criticism and praise: its lack of compatibility with devices other than Apple’s own. Unlike some other smartwatches that offer compatibility with both Android and iOS, the Apple Watch Ultra leaves users with fewer choices. It also limits customization options, as users are confined to the features and apps available within the Apple ecosystem. On the sidenote, it is exactly due to a closed ecosystem that allows Apple to prioritise user security and privacy. By limiting compatibility to its own devices, the company can exert greater control over the hardware stack, reducing the risk of security breaches and unauthorised access.

In conclusion, the Apple Watch Ultra's comprehensive feature set, including the high-G accelerometer, ECG technology, and accurate blood oxygen sensor, positions it as a benchmark in the smartwatch industry. These features contribute to its prominence and utility as a health monitoring tool. Despite its closed ecosystem, the Apple Watch Ultra remains a dominant force in the market, setting standards and prompting emulation among competitors. This is further supported by the World Benchmarking Alliance (2023) which stated “Apple is the top hardware company in the benchmark. “. Its enduring influence on the smartwatch landscape solidifies its status as an industry benchmark.


References

Baluch, A., & Brumberg, R. (2023, September 8). Apple Watch Fall Detection: How It Works (2023). Forbes. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/health/medical-alert-systems/apple-watch-fall-detection/

Digital Inclusion Benchmark. (2023). Digital Inclusion Benchmark. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://www.worldbenchmarkingalliance.org/publication/digital-inclusion/companies/apple-4/

Hunt, P. (2022, October 25). Your Apple Watch's SpO2 sensor may be better than you thought. Digital Trends. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-watch-sp02-sensor-blood-oxygen-medical-study/

Sawh, M. (2023, August 23). ECG smartwatches explained: How they work and the best on the market. Wareable. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://www.wareable.com/health-and-wellbeing/ecg-heart-rate-monitor-watch-guide-6508

Sawh, M. (2023, August 23). ECG smartwatches explained: How they work and the best on the market. Wareable. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://www.wareable.com/health-and-wellbeing/ecg-heart-rate-monitor-watch-guide-6508

Sawh, M. (2023, August 23). ECG smartwatches explained: How they work and the best on the market. Wareable. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://www.wareable.com/health-and-wellbeing/ecg-heart-rate-monitor-watch-guide-6508

Stephenson, B. (2022, October 14). What Is Crash Detection on iPhone and Apple Watch? Lifewire. Retrieved September 27, 2023, from https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-crash-detection-6748193#toc-what-is-apple-car-crash-detection


Sanders, H. (2022, September 21). Apple Watch Ultra In-Depth Review: It's a Start! DC Rainmaker. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2022/09/apple-watch-ultra-in-depth-review-its-a-start.html


Gibbs, S. (2022, November 9). Apple Watch Ultra review: the super-charged smartwatch. The Guardian. Retrieved September 18, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/09/apple-watch-ultra-review-smartwatch-design-athletes


Savvides, L. (2022, November 16). Apple Watch Ultra Review: The Most Exciting Watch in Years. CNET. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-watch-ultra-review-most-exciting-watch-smartwatch-in-years/


Stella, R., & Johnson, A. (2023, August 18). Apple Watch Ultra Vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: Which Rugged Watch Is Best? Business Insider. Retrieved September 20, 2023, from https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/apple-watch-ultra-vs-samsung-galaxy-watch5-pro

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