Summary / Reader Response draft 2

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). Historically, one of the biggest barriers to many athletes using an Apple Watch over other brands was a lack of battery life combined with a lack of buttons. The Ultra aims to rectify both of those concerns while introducing a number of noteworthy features along the way (“Apple,” 2022). 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, which 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 used to detect and document various physical health-related 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 older face the highest risk of injury-related fatalities due to falls (Baluch & Brumberg, 2023). Fortunately, information about the high-G accelerometer 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. With fall detection enabled, the smartwatch can automatically attempt to call emergency services should you have been immobile for about a minute.


In addition to the high-G accelerometer, the Apple Watch Ultra also incorporated a heart rate monitor. The inclusion of an electrocardiogram (ECG) 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), ECG 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," said 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 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 reach that conclusion, 24 healthy participants did various breathing exercises to manipulate their blood oxygen levels while wearing an Apple Watch Series 6 on their wrist and having a clamped Masimo Radical-7, a common pulse oximeter, on the middle finger of the same hand (Szpytek, 2022). 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 watch’s overall capabilities in providing users with valuable health insights. 


While Apple Watch Ultra offers an abundance of benefits and functionalities, there are limitations that have drawn both criticism and praise: the lack of compatibility with devices other than Apple’s own and customisation options only to the features and apps available within the Apple ecosystem. On the contrary, 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 cornerstone in the smartwatch industry. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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