Your Apple Watch Knows You’re Sick Before You Do! (And It’s Not Just Judging Your Chipotle Habit)
Folks, it seems Apple’s gone and done it again. They’ve crammed more smarts into that wrist computer of yours, and this time, it’s not just counting your steps or reminding you to breathe (though, let’s be honest, we could all use that reminder sometimes).
The new Vitals app, launching with watchOS 11, is apparently playing doctor – the kind that actually listens to you, unlike, well, some doctors I’ve met. It’s analyzing your sleep data like some kind of health detective, looking for clues that you might be coming down with something before you even feel a sniffle.
Now, this isn’t just Big Brother tracking your every sneeze. The app looks at things like your heart rate, respiratory rate, and even your wrist temperature. It figures out your “normal” and then alerts you when things start looking, well, abnormal. Reddit users are already singing its praises, saying it caught their illnesses days before they felt anything. Imagine the possibilities! You could call out sick *before* you start that symphony of coughs in the office, saving your coworkers from your germ warfare.
But, and there’s always a but, Apple’s quick to point out that this isn’t a medical diagnosis. It’s more like a “Hey, something might be up, maybe check with a real doctor” kind of nudge. And speaking of real doctors, remember that whole blood oxygen sensor thing? Yeah, Apple had a bit of a legal tussle over that. So, if you bought your Apple Watch in the US after January 18, 2024, you might not have that particular feature.
But hey, even without the blood oxygen stuff, it seems like the Vitals app could be a game-changer. It’s like having a tiny hypochondriac on your wrist, constantly worrying about your health so you don’t have to. And isn’t that what we all want in a world that’s already stressful enough?
From the sales floor to the critic's corner, I'm a former Apple Sales Specialist who's not afraid to tell it like it is. Get my honest takes on the iPhone, Mac, and everything Apple. | Los Angeles, California.