Apple Watch Series 6, Image/Apple
A Blood Oxygen sensor and app, new case finishes, and watchOS 7 are the three prominent features of the new Apple Watch Series 6. While the biggest features are health related, other vibrant features are available as well:
“Apple Watch Series 6 delivers many notable hardware improvements, including a faster S6 System in Package (SiP) and next-generation always-on altimeter, along with its most colorful lineup yet, featuring a beautiful palette of new case finishes and bands.
watchOS 7 brings Family Setup, sleep tracking, automatic handwashing detection, new workout types, and the ability to curate and share watch faces, encouraging customers to be more active, stay connected, and better manage their health in new ways.”
One of the more exciting features of the watch include a blood oxygen sensor and its corresponding app. The sensor makes it possible to measure the oxygen saturation of the user’s blood:
“Oxygen saturation, or SpO2, represents the percentage of oxygen being carried by red blood cells from the lungs to the rest of the body, and indicates how well this oxygenated blood is being delivered throughout the body.”
Another Apple Watch Series 6 health related feature is an ECG app which generates an ECG similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram:
“It’s a momentous achievement for a wearable device that can provide critical data for doctors and peace of mind for you.”
The Apple Watch Series 6 hardware has received a boost with a new dual-core processor based on A13 Bionic in iPhone 11 which now runs up to 20 percent faster, U1 chip and Ultra Wideband antennas, “which will enable short-range wireless location to support new experiences,” faster charging, in 1.5 hours, improved battery life and enhanced Always-On Retina 2.5 times brighter than Apple Watch Series 5 outdoors.
Another watch perk, “when their wrist is down, the user can also now access Notification Center and Control Center, tap on complications, and swipe to change faces without having to wake their watch screen.”
Need to know real-time elevation? Always-On Altimeter, a feature of the Apple Watch Series 6, “provides real-time elevation all day long by using a new, more power-efficient barometric altimeter, along with GPS and nearby Wi-Fi networks. This feature allows for the detection of small elevation changes above ground level, up and down to the measurement of 1 foot, and can be shown as a new watch face complication or workout metric.”
WatchOS 7 (Apple Watch Series 6’s operating system) has been improved with seven new watch face options which inlude Stripes, Chronograph Pro, GMT, and Artist. Health and fitness features include low-range VO2 Max, sleep tracking, automatic handwashing detection, and new workout types. Also covered are cycling directions in Maps and Siri language translation.
Family Setup4 in watchOS 7 “extends Apple Watch to the entire family by allowing kids and older family members of the household who do not have an iPhone to benefit from the connectivity, safety, and fitness features of Apple Watch.” Older adults also can benefit from watchOS 7 by providing simplified onboarding and configuration process and a refreshed X-Large face that more accurately shows time and a rich complication.
Apple Watch Series 6 case options include a new blue color and (PRODUCT)RED Apple Watch. Stainless steel models are now available in graphite and updated classic yellow gold color. Apple Watch Edition additionally comes in natural and space black titanium.
Three new band styles provide a tailored and comfortable fit without traditional clasps or buckles:
“Ultralight Solo Loop introduces a continuous and stretchable band design that comes in two materials: soft silicone and braided yarn.”
Leather Link also employs a similar technique by wrapping “elegantly around the wrist, effortlessly attaching on the other side with flexible molded magnets.”
