Tag Archives: Apple Watch

iOS, Mobile, News

iOS 14.5 is Out Now! What’s New?

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The latest iOS is out now and it is the biggest iOS update since iOS 14 launched. If you do not know yet, iOS is the thing that allows you to work with your iPhone. The iOS 14.5, as they call it, comes with a whole slew of improvements that could improve your quality of life with your Apple devices.

Unlock You iPhone, Now You Do Not Need Your Face

Source: Apple

Unlocking your devices with your face is great. You only need to look at your device when you turn it on, and you are ready to go within 2 seconds of your display turning on. For the Apple iPhone X and newer, Face ID is a blessing because none of those devices come with a fingerprint sensor.  Face ID, in the world of modern Apple iPhones, is the only way for you to unlock your Apple iPhone. Obviously that is a problem when you are wearing a mask in this time of pandemic.

Not anymore though. With iOS 14.5 paired to an Apple Watch with WatchOS 7.4, your iPhone can now be unlocked without you even looking into your iPhone. That also means you do not need to take off your mask in the public to unlock your device. Then again, you could just enter your passcode to unlock your iPhone. Using the Apple Watch to unlock is much faster and more elegant way to do it though. You can even require your Apple Watch to be on your wrist for your iPhone to instantly unlock, if you like.

Siri’s New Voices

Source: Apple

Siri has a signature voice. That default voice is recognized and loved by many, especially Apple iPhone users. But what if you are one of those that gets annoyed whenever Siri talks to you in its default voice. iOS 14.5 introduces new voices for Siri.

Users now can choose between up to four voices when they first set up their iOS 14.5 device in English. That way, you can choose the Siri that annoys you the least, or the one you like best. That way also your Siri is more “you”.

Siri also now supports Group FaceTime. That means you can ask Siri to initiate FaceTime with a few people at one go, or initiate a FaceTime call with a certain group you have in Messages. When you are using your AirPods or compatible Beats headphones Siri will announce incoming messages to you via your headphones. Siri also supports calling emergency contacts now in conditions where you cannot make calls or in emergency situations.

More Private

Source: Apple

There are also more controls over your privacy with iOS 14.5. App Tracking Transparency requires apps to obtain user’s permissions over different tracking requirements for the apps before any tracking is done. It also asks for user’s permission before sharing data across to data brokers or advertisers. You can change the tracking behavior of each app too in Settings.

More Emoji

  • Source: Apple
  • Source: Apple

What is an iPhone without its funky emoji? Apple’s commitment to diversification and inclusiveness adds new emoji to iOS 14.5. iOS 14.5 now introduces new couple kissing emoji and couple with heart emoji with different skin tones. There are several new emoji as well including a woman with beard emoji.

Improve Apple Maps with Your Friends and Other Users

  • Source: Apple
  • Source: Apple
  • Source: Apple

Apple Maps can be made better with user inputs now too. Users can now report incidents on the road quickly and safely. Users can just tell Siri that there is an accident up ahead or even reporting a pothole coming up. Apple Maps could even show if the incident has been cleared up. Of course, if you are a passenger, you can quickly report an incident by hitting the “Report an Issue” button in the app. You can also share your ETA when walking or cycling to let others know their arrival time. Users with Apple CarPlay can also access that function via Siri. Unfortunately, the “Report an Issue” function is now only available for Apple Maps users in US and China only.

And Plenty More

  • Source: Apple
  • Source: Apple

Apple Podcast on iOS 14.5 gets a redesign. The redesign allows for more intuitive navigation and even quicker access to your favourite podcasts on the app. You can now save and download episodes just in case you want to listen to your favourite podcasts when you travel. The downloaded podcast will be available in your Library for quicker access.

AirTag is also now supported on iOS 14.5. AirTags was just launched a week ago and it is one of the most convenient ways to keep track of your things, or your child if you want to. AirTags will help you find things like your keys, so it saves you a lot of time when you misplace it, or when it drops somewhere.

Apple News also gets a redesign. The News+ tab is redesigned for users to find, download, and manage magazine or newspaper issues. They have also redesigned Search for more relevant search experiences.

On iOS 14.5, users can also stream audio and video to AirPlay 2 enabled hardware with Apple Fitness+. You can now cast your fitness routine and guides to supported TVs instead of viewing them from the small display that is your iPhone. You can get loud and clear instructions via a wireless speaker rather than struggling with the speakers from the iPhone.

iOS 14.5 also include Dual SIM support for 5G connectivity. The new interface also improves data consumption to allow for a better and more efficient use of your monthly data quota. That is not all though, Smart Data Mode improves battery life and is supposed to allow for more stable data experience.

Editorial, Health, News

Samsung’s Next Galaxy Watch & the Next Apple Watch Could Change Things for Diabetic Health

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We’ve long held the impression that wearables could change the health landscape. In fact, some companies like Fitbit have built businesses focusing on this promise. However, over the past decade, while we’ve seen numerous wearables drive an increased awareness of the importance of health and deliver tonnes of data to the consumer, we haven’t seen that dramatic shift that has been promised. That may change with the upcoming entries to the Samsung Galaxy Watch line up.

Rumours coming from Korean news outlet ET News are pointing to the upcoming Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch Active 3 and Apple Watch having a glucose monitor. This could revolutionize how the medical community looks to monitor and treat patients with diabetes. According to the report, the Galaxy Watch 4 will come with an optical sensor that will be able to detect the glucose levels in the user’s blood. This is done without the need to break the skin and by using a technique called Raman’s spectroscopy.

How Will It Work?

Let’s take a look at how this would work. We’re all used to the myriad of sensors on the back of a wearable now. We have one that measures the users heart rate, blood oxygenation and stress levels; and in newer wearables like the Fitbit Sense, Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Apple Watch Series 6, we also have sensors for an ECG. In addition to this, the new watch would include an additional sensor that would be able to detect the sugars in the blood vessels.

black and silver car gear shift lever
Photo by Torsten Dettlaff on Pexels.com

It achieves this by using a precise spectrum of light and sends it into the vessels where it comes into contact with glucose molecules. These molecules then produce a scatter which is unique to glucose which is then read by the sensor. This information is used in tandem with other relevant molecular concentrations in the blood will be able to give you a reading on the glucose levels in blood.

Why is Glucose Monitoring in Wearables Important?

So, it’s just another sensor – you might be saying. Yes, it’s another sensor in a piece of tech that seems filled to the brim with sensors. However, the fact that it allows a crucial bit of information to be available to patients is how it will revolutionize diabetic healthcare.

At the current time, the only way feasible way for diabetics to get glucose readings is by pricking themselves on a daily basis. This comes on top of the multiple pricks they have to endure to administer insulin subcutaneously. An average diabetic patient on insulin would need to prick themselves at least twice a day for glucose monitoring and administration of insulin. However, with this technology, they would only need to prick themselves once. This not only improves their quality of life; it makes sure that they aren’t needlessly building up scar tissue.

person holding black tube
Photo by PhotoMIX Company on Pexels.com

Another big jump in management comes with the fact that this technology also allows patients to monitor their blood sugar levels continuously. The only way this is feasible currently is if patients opt for a continuous glucose monitor. Using this will entail placing a probe under the skin. This is usually a plastic needle which takes blood samples at regular intervals. While this seems harmless, it presents its own set of challenges when it comes to maintenance and sterility. In fact, these probes can be the source of infections if not maintained well. What’s more, this method of monitoring isn’t widely adopted.

The fact that the new line up of Galaxy Watches could make continuous glucose monitoring more readily accessible will ensure diabetic patients have more granular information. Using this information, both doctors and patients will have more granular insights into the glucose tolerance of different types of foods by patients. This could lead to better diabetic management and even reversal in some cases.

Start of a New Wave of Health-centric Wearbles with Medically Actionable Insights

The new wave of wearbles starting with the next generation Samsung Galaxy Watches and Apple Watch could finally be medically relevant. The new features that will come in these wearables will allow access to more actionable insights when it comes to managing disease.

In fact, with more countries approving the ECG function in the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2, the wearable category may become a requirement instead of an option for more chronically afflicted patients – fulfilling a promise that was made at the inception of the category.

Accessories

Belkin Wants A Bite of Your Apple Devices with New Accessories

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Belkin has become a well-known brand when it comes to accessories and peripherals for any device. The company has released some of the most well designed accessories for iPhones, Android devices and laptops. Recently, the company merged with Foxconn to form the Connected Devices division under a new entity called Foxconn Interconnect Technology.

You know the saying, “new year, new me”? Well, Belkin is taking that to heart by not only announcing its new identity but also by introducing a slew of accessories for Apple users. The new devices are a continuation of the partnership between Apple and Belkin which started since the early 2000s.

In a nutshell, Belkin is kicking off the year with a slew of products to make sure that Apple users are charged up. To kick things off, the company is introducing a wireless charging dock which is made for both the iPhone and the Apple Watch. Of course, since the dock charges wirelessly, it works with the iPhone X, Xs and the new iPhone 11. The dock also allows you to take advantage of the Nightstand mode in the Apple Watch so you’ll be able to use the alarm clock feature too. If you need an extra charger, the dock has a 5-watt USB A port which you can charge an extra device or powerbank through. The BOOST↑UP™ Wireless Charging Dock for iPhone and Apple Watch is available now for MYR799.

If that’s a little too pricey, the BOOST↑UP™ Wireless Charging Pad & Stand 10W will only set you back MYR339. The wireless charger doesn’t support the Apple Watch; but it does deliver 10W fast wireless charging. It’s engineered to work with cases up to 3mm thick. If you want your phone to be upright while using the wireless charger, there is a stand to allow you to prop it up. The standing pad retails for MYR389.

Looking to charge your iPhone and listen to tunes at the same time? Don’t have a set of AirPods? No 3.5mm port? Belkin’s ROCKSTAR Lightning Headphones & Audio Charge dock is here to meet your needs. The dock extends the USB connectivity of the iPhone to enable dual USB-C-Lightning plugin. The dock extends the lightning port of the iPhone to allow users to plug their Lightning connector earphones while charging through USB-C. The dock is able to convey audio at 48KHz at 24-bit quality while supporting 12W charging. The dock will cost MYR225. If you’re looking for earphones, Belkin has Lightning connector earphones from MYR199.

If you’re constantly on the go, you’ll need to be able to charge your devices without hassle. Belkin has a charger which you can carry anywhere. The BOOST↑CHARGE™ 27W USB-C™+12W USB-A Home Charger will only set you back MYR259 but it will allow you to charge your devices via USB-C. This also means that you’ll be able to charge your MacBook (probably slower than its original charger which is 30W). That said, it will also be able to fast charge your iPhone and AirPods. It is able to charge via a 12W USB-A port as well. If you need something similar for your car, the Belkin BOOST↑CHARGE™ USB-C + USB-A Car Charger 30W will only set you back MYR139.

Being on the go also means that you’ll need a way to charge your devices if they run out when you are out and about. Belkin’s BOOST↑CHARGE™ Power Bank 2K for Apple Watch will ensure that your smartwatch stays powered. The powerbank provides an additional 63 hours of battery life. For your iPhone, you can get the BOOST↑CHARGE™ Power Bank 10K with Lightning Connector. The MYR339 powerbank allows you to charge your phone through a lightning cable in addition to 2 USB A cables.

Which of these are you more likely to buy? Let us know in the comments below!