Apple Announces Oceanic+ App Now Available for Apple Watch Ultra

[msackey]

And at “up to 40meters depth!” that’s about all its good for LOL.

I'm not a scuba diver so I looked up what are typical recommended depths for recreational scuba divers. It is up to 40 meters; Apple advertises its Ultra as for recreational diving. Yeah, I know it can be fun to make jabs...but in this case...not sure this is so much jabby...

How Deep Can Scuba Divers Dive: Diver Depth Limits

For the majority of recreational scuba divers the maximum depth you can dive is 40 metres (130 feet), with the exception of BSAC divers who can dive to 50 metres (164 feet). But how deep you can dive

www.scubadivingearth.com

 

[David Hensley]

I’m in U.S. I just installed app, but the iPhone app won’t let me create an account.

I’m running the latest iOS 16.2 public beta, so I contacted the developer customer support.

 

[anthogag]

Very cool but the problem is I don't know how to dive or take a swim. What to do?

You can do both at the same time. Tell the dive shop you can't swim and you want to try scuba diving. You will start by learning to swim. You don't have to be a great swimmer for scuba diving. Learning to swim makes you more comfortable in water, right.

 

[mdriftmeyer]

What do I as an Ultra user give a rat's behind about a 3rd party app developer's App being spun like it's an Apple App?

 

[Steve686]

My dive computer does exactly that. There is a transponder unit (about the size of a car key fob) which screws into one of the regulator ports. This unit contains a battery of it's own, it's completely sealed for depth, and is paired to my dive computer wirelessly.

Each breath that I take causes fluctuations in the available gas pressure. The transponder sends these fluctuations to my computer which measures their duration and pressure difference. Combined with the computers own pressure meter and therefore depth measurement, it knows exactly what I'm breathing, with each breath. It can compute the gas saturation of my tissues, or at least give a very good estimation. Far better than dive tables.

This information is used to warn me about all sort of important things, and it's extremely important for safe diving.

Apple Watch Ultra, at the moment, cannot pair to a wireless transponder so it cannot do any of these important and useful things. That's not to say that isn't useful, but I would not use it as a primary dive computer until it can do gas analysis, and it can be serviced and pressure tested after that service by a service centre.

I‘m not sure if the person you’re responding to understands either concept. COMPOSITION(aka Nitrox, Tri-Mix) versus what you are explaining which is merely cylinder pressure and consumption rate.

I think he is thinking of like an O2 analyer.

 

[Steve686]

I'm not a scuba diver so I looked up what are typical recommended depths for recreational scuba divers. It is up to 40 meters; Apple advertises its Ultra as for recreational diving. Yeah, I know it can be fun to make jabs...but in this case...not sure this is so much jabby...

How Deep Can Scuba Divers Dive: Diver Depth Limits

For the majority of recreational scuba divers the maximum depth you can dive is 40 metres (130 feet), with the exception of BSAC divers who can dive to 50 metres (164 feet). But how deep you can dive

www.scubadivingearth.com

And just to clarify. A newly certified diver is not even supposed to dive beyond 40 or 60 feet, depending on age. +-12/+12 years old, respectively.

 

[msackey]

Maybe it’s not an affordability issue… instead some people still prefer to own the things they buy instead of simply renting them. Each to their own but that’s why I support apps like affinity designer and won’t buy a bmw with subscription heated seats.

The first time I read about BMW subscription heated seats in a new article, I just could not believe it. And to what is one renting? BMW doesn't provide a service in which it would come repair the seats if the heater stops working, does it? This is such a bizarre concept.

I do see there is a whole subscription-trend creep going on here and some consumers buy it allowing their expectations of what is the consumer to producer relationship to change. For the most part, I refuse subscriptions unless there is a genuine actual ongoing service provided in which an ongoing product has to be maintained on a regular basis for it to work. Newspaper subscriptions, for example, are easy to understand (I think). A service is continually being provided as news articles are created. How does subscription heat seats work? You own the car but not the heating element for the seats? Crazy.

What do I as an Ultra user give a rat's behind about a 3rd party app developer's App being spun like it's an Apple App?

Interesting. I had wondered about that too when I noticed in the Apple keynote that a third-party is developing an app to make the Ultra closer to a diving computer (or some such). I thought it was curious that Apple wouldn't develop its own app for that purpose.

But in thinking about it, and without any knowledge of diving, it seems to make sense. Scuba diving technology can cause serious harm or death to the body when not done appropriately and it wouldn't seem that Apple has the in-house expertise to mitigate that risk. It makes sense for existing experts to take primary control. Sure, Apple could hire experts and become expertise in the diving world, but the uptake for that seems like it would take a while and also Apple isn't really in the business of being scuba diving experts. So makes sense that Apple would pair up with an existing company.

 

[Dainin]

If I was a diver, and I'm not (couldn't get past the pool part of the training in Cancun once) I doubt very highly I'd be taking my $800 AW Ultra on a dive with me.

That's just me. I've talked myself out of the Ultra 4 times already and have decided to wait to see what next year brings.

I also know nothing about diving, aside from what is discussed in Dirk Pitt novels.

If you're into this sort of thing, good on ya..

I will happily take mine on every dive. Why would I pay $800 for something and then not use it?

So one has to have crippled app or pay extortion price?
This is very expensive and very basic dive computer. Software is worth not more than 5$ per year.
I'll use with my Ultra. But for real diving I'll stick to Suunto or other real dive computers.

I had few dive computers and I know how much they're worth. 80$ a year for uncripple the app is extortion. Car dealership doesn't charge me subscription for heated seats. I buy once and use it as long as I like.

Most divers take 1 or 2 trips a year. I plan on enabling the monthly subscription for my next dive trip, and cancelling it when the trip is done. $10 for a fully featured backup dive computer is a bargain.

 

[Steve686]

Here are the 4 options. Even a ONE DAY option for the really tight. Makes sense.

 

[Steve686]

I will happily take mine on every drive. Why would I pay $800 for something and then not use it?





Most divers take 1 or 2 trips a year. I plan on enabling the monthly subscription for my next dive trip, and cancelling it when the trip is done. $8 for a fully featured backup dive computer is a bargain.

Or if still available, do the daily fee for $.99.

 

[RottenAddict]

The first time I read about BMW subscription heated seats in a new article, I just could not believe it. And to what is one renting? BMW doesn't provide a service in which it would come repair the seats if the heater stops working, does it? This is such a bizarre concept.

I do see there is a whole subscription-trend creep going on here and some consumers buy it allowing their expectations of what is the consumer to producer relationship to change. For the most part, I refuse subscriptions unless there is a genuine actual ongoing service provided in which an ongoing product has to be maintained on a regular basis for it to work. Newspaper subscriptions, for example, are easy to understand (I think). A service is continually being provided as news articles are created. How does subscription heat seats work? You own the car but not the heating element for the seats? Crazy.


Interesting. I had wondered about that too when I noticed in the Apple keynote that a third-party is developing an app to make the Ultra closer to a diving computer (or some such). I thought it was curious that Apple wouldn't develop its own app for that purpose.

But in thinking about it, and without any knowledge of diving, it seems to make sense. Scuba diving technology can cause serious harm or death to the body when not done appropriately and it wouldn't seem that Apple has the in-house expertise to mitigate that risk. It makes sense for existing experts to take primary control. Sure, Apple could hire experts and become expertise in the diving world, but the uptake for that seems like it would take a while and also Apple isn't really in the business of being scuba diving experts. So makes sense that Apple would pair up with an existing company.

The next logical question is will Apple allow other dive apps in the App Store or will they be banned because of their partnership with oceanic on the premise of safety? There is plenty of well researched diving watch algorithms that are not proprietary (DSAT, RGBM, etc) so it shouldn’t take long for developers to come up with something.

 

[4odomi]

No other dive computer on the planet requires a subscription. Good luck with that.

But even half decent once require at least $500 to purchase

 

[Dainin]

Or if still available, do the daily fee for $.99.

Definitely! Generally, when I take a dive trip it is for 5-8 days. I’ll take whatever is cheapest, but I’m guessing the 1 day pass will only do $.99 once.

 

[haplain]

Neat idea and curious to see what the adoption looks like. Seems like a rather niche market, but I guess so is scuba, but tracks for what the watch is capable of.

 

[4odomi]

Imagine not being able to afford an $800 Apple Watch Ultra, but going ahead and complaining about the $9.99/mo scuba subscription?

The irony

Love your Apple logo 😊

 

[bruinsrme]

If I was a diver, and I'm not (couldn't get past the pool part of the training in Cancun once) I doubt very highly I'd be taking my $800 AW Ultra on a dive with me.

That's just me. I've talked myself out of the Ultra 4 times already and have decided to wait to see what next year brings.

I also know nothing about diving, aside from what is discussed in Dirk Pitt novels.

If you're into this sort of thing, good on ya..

Why, before the ultra I wore my S3 then S5 while mountain biking and hiking

 

[Keniutek]

If I was a diver, and I'm not (couldn't get past the pool part of the training in Cancun once) I doubt very highly I'd be taking my $800 AW Ultra on a dive with me.

That's just me. I've talked myself out of the Ultra 4 times already and have decided to wait to see what next year brings.

I also know nothing about diving, aside from what is discussed in Dirk Pitt novels.

If you're into this sort of thing, good on ya..

If i was a diver, and im not, i wouldn't trust Apple Watch with my underwater adventures. Either an old school divers watch (maybe a Doxa like Dirk Pitt) if i really knew what i was doing. Or a REAL "scuba computer".

 

[Steve686]

If i was a diver, and im not, i wouldn't trust Apple Watch with my underwater adventures. Either an old school divers watch (maybe a Doxa like Dirk Pitt) if i really knew what i was doing. Or a REAL "scuba computer".

“Real scuba computers” do fail. Don’t know what the unwarranted fear about the AWU is.

Most divers that take their safety seriously will have some redundancy in their kit. Otherwise, if a computer fails, you call the dive and make provisions.

Really not a big deal since the watch is not a regulator or a cylinder. It actually has the least to do with your immediate safety than all other pieces of gear.

 

[_Spinn_]

Very cool!

 

[David Hensley]

I’m running the latest iOS 16.2 public beta, so I contacted the developer customer support.

After you select a date for your birthday, you have to select a check box. The check box is very small, almost hidden.

Then, if you select a password that it doesn’t like, you have to start over. The app doesn’t allow editing a password that doesn’t meet their requirements.

After that, it’s smooth sailing!

 

[msackey]

The next logical question is will Apple allow other dive apps in the App Store or will they be banned because of their partnership with oceanic on the premise of safety? There is plenty of well researched diving watch algorithms that are not proprietary (DSAT, RGBM, etc) so it shouldn’t take long for developers to come up with something.

Maybe that's the next logical question, but Oceanic+ isn't marketed as an Apple app. Its developer is listed as Huish Outdoors.

 

[Steve686]

You

The next logical question is will Apple allow other dive apps in the App Store or will they be banned because of their partnership with oceanic on the premise of safety? There is plenty of well researched diving watch algorithms that are not proprietary (DSAT, RGBM, etc) so it shouldn’t take long for developers to come up with something.

What is the partnership between Apple and Oceanic?

More so than a typical app developer that shows up and announces an app?

If safety is an issue, would Apple ban Google Maps because people have taken GPS directions from Google and ended up crashing into an area not marked “closed” on Google Maps? Which has happened.

I think there is enough legal Mumbai jumbo to protect Apple from the shortcomings of any app offered.

 

[SFjohn]

time to try this in my bathtub yeeeeeeee

I noticed it was very accurate in a hot tub recently… 😉

 

[bbarras]

I’m in U.S. I just installed app, but the iPhone app won’t let me create an account.

Same here. Day 1 and the app has issues ?? Yikes. 🤦🏼‍♂️

 

[bbarras]

I’m running the latest iOS 16.2 public beta, so I contacted the developer customer support.

Thanks. I have same issue. Day 1 release problems. Sheesh. 🤦🏼‍♂️