This shouldn’t shock anyone. It’s classic Apple marketing or misinformation. Water proof? Read fine print. Blood oxygen? For entertainment use. Etc.
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Apple Provides Deep Dive Into New Apple Watch Ultra Depth App
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This shouldn’t shock anyone. It’s classic Apple marketing or misinformation. Water proof? Read fine print. Blood oxygen? For entertainment use. Etc.
Am I going insane reading all these replies? It is marketed as a capable dive computer. It’s certified as one. Yes, you need the right app, but the hardware is there. How is this misinformation?
Oceanic was a brand when I started diving. They *had* a computer, and it wasn't a popular one. Buying a somewhat failed product doesn't make them a respected vendor, in my mind. *shrug*
Rebreathers were always a niche exotic product. As I remember, one type had a problem with getting the CO2 out of the system enough to keep the user safe. It was pulled because it didn't work well. Not sure if it was theirs, but a rebreather would require a lot of maintenance. Maintenance is usually expensive. A 'recreational diver' is not likely to pay for that. On a dive someone had a regulator failure and they almost drowned. It failed because the mouthpiece was loose on the second stage. They almost literally bit the thing off. If their rig had been serviced it's not likely that it would have failed like that. Maintenance...
Because: Who's standards? Who's tables? Who's responsible for the research, and who did the research they are basing this on? It seems to not be very durable if the depth is that shallow. The time an idiot needs a computer is when they find themselves drifting past the limits on a wall dive, and they are in trouble and don't even know it.
I personally would not trust this as a 'dive computer'. I'd wait for the second, or third version. It's my life after all...
EDIT: I have gone over the limits. I have been 'deep'. I have drifted down the wall on a dive. It's so easy for it to 'go bad'. I watched the gauges like a hawk as I got deeper, but got distracted seeing a shark and some tasty looking lobster. Each time I was supported by a crew that planned ahead, and I often took longer at each decompression stop. If you are diving with people that plan for people to go over the limits, or are sane in protecting people, it's a whole lot safer. Hanging under the boat is kind of boring, but being whisked away to a chamber and spending hours in on, and all the issues with 'getting bent'. Be safe!!
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From https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-ultra/ -
“EN13319 certified
An internationally recognized standard for diving accessories.”
To be clear, my point is that the article on which we are commenting is about the “Depth” app, which is wholly different from the app discussed and marketed by apple as a dive computer. The hardware seems more than capable and certified as such.
I’m just confounded as to why everyone is thinking apple is pulling a fast one on us? Why is everyone up in arms about this, rather than other claims like the new dual-frequency GPS system? Both are factual, objective statements about the capabilities of this device.
The replies do seem to be mixing messages. Apple is marketing the depth sensor as capable for recreational dive limits. They’re advertising the third party Oceanic+ app + their depth sensor as a capable dive computer. They’re trying to be clear that their depth gauge app is capable, but doesn’t give the tissue saturation estimates and no-deco calculations/alerts necessary to qualify as a dive computer, just a depth gauge. Seems like standard ass-covering for legal exposure from the inevitable misuse that will come from some folks.
My comment was about seeing the Huish portfolio and being surprised the well know brands they now have. Personally I tend to use ScubaPro and have my dive equipment regularly serviced as required. I hope no one is tempted to go diving without first undertaking appropriate training. I dont think this watch is aimed at beginners - at this price it is far more than a basic dive computer, but is less than a decent dedicated dive computer. I imagine it suited to the multi discipline adventurer - and folk like me who wish they could justify buying one instead of a new wing or a new camera.
100% with you there. I’m just excited that I’ll have this in addition to whatever basic computer is included with my rental equipment on holidays.
Definitely a lot of folks misinterpreting and conflating this story with what they saw or heard about during the keynote though, which has been my aim to clear up. Swimming upstream a bit, it seems 😊
Who will crowdfund me to be the guinea pig to see if it is a reliable dive computer?
Willing to test in the challenging conditions of diving on in Scotland
Alternatively I will save up and probably be able to afford v2
Must comment though on the strap - good yellow strap. Why is dive gear so often black which makes it hard to see underwater?
Willing to test in the challenging conditions of diving on in Scotland
Alternatively I will save up and probably be able to afford v2
Must comment though on the strap - good yellow strap. Why is dive gear so often black which makes it hard to see underwater?
Dont know what country you are in so cant advise too much but make sure you train with a reputable club or organisation rather than pick up from you friend unless they are instructor level. It is a wonderful sport - closest most of us will get to being like an astronaut exploring a different world - except underwater it is the same planet. 7/10
Go to your local YMCA, they have classes for adults with low student / instructor radio or even one on one. It does not take long to learn. Adults can learn MUCH faster than children.
Swimming the length of the pool a few laps is an obvious prerequisite for diving instruction.
I am old and risk averse. My friend wouldn't let me touch his stuff without doing the training.
bet your not as old as me - and I too am risk averse I think this is a good trait which is why Ive kept my training up to date and stick with a club who dive regularly. Agree with your friend.
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Exactly. Some People have no idea what they are talking about…This is not a retraction. This entire article is about the Depth App, NOT the Oceanic+ app which DOES provide decompression stop information as well as gas analysis. See here:
Oceanic Plus - Oceanic Worldwide
www.oceanicworldwide.com
What’s galling is the oceanic++ app that ‘is’ a dive computer is $80 bucks year. So to get features that are headlined you have to shell out again and again.
With the official launch of the Apple Watch Ultra looming, Apple has shared a support document on the new Depth app that's exclusive to the device. The Depth app is designed to be used for recreational diving, providing information on water temperature, current depth, maximum depth, and more. The Apple Watch Ultra can be used for dives up to 40 meters deep (130 feet).
Apple warns that the Depth app is not a dive computer and it cannot provide decompression stop information or gas analysis. In situations where failure of the Apple Watch Ultra could lead to death or personal injury, Apple suggests using a secondary depth gauge and timer. Apple further recommends that the Apple Watch Ultra only be used by trained divers following safety protocols and diving with a buddy.
The support document walks through how to use the Depth app, which can be set to auto launch whenever the Apple Watch Ultra is submerged in water that is one meter deep or more. When the Depth app launches, the Apple Watch Ultra will turn on Water Lock to prevent screen activation, and a session can be ended with a press and hold on the Digital Crown.
The Depth app will provide a consolidated dive summary at the end of a dive session, letting users know the length of the dive, the water temperature range, and maximum depth.
Apple has also provided a new support document that outlines everything the new Compass app can do, highlighting how to use the Backtrack and Waypoint features, plus there is information on the recommended temperature range for various Apple Watch Ultra activities.
Article Link: Apple Provides Deep Dive Into New Apple Watch Ultra Depth App
Hopefully the api won’t be locked up only for “partners” (ie revenue streams) and the market can correct for this greedy madness.
Or it will go the other way and every dive computer manufacture will try to force you into a subscription to use the thing you bought for the purpose you bought it.
The point is to make you pay 80 bucks a year to their partner to use it as a full dive computer, and sure give apple 30% of that as well.
For 80 bucks a year. That detail keeps getting lost.This is not a retraction. This entire article is about the Depth App, NOT the Oceanic+ app which DOES provide decompression stop information as well as gas analysis. See here:
Oceanic Plus - Oceanic Worldwide
Which they will rent you for 80 bucks a year while locking up your dive data 🤣.
The real question will be if anyone not offering apple another revenue stream will even be able to create a dive app.
It's a gimmick. That's all.
I was mocked in an earlier conversation when I said this wasn't for any serious divers, but here it is in writing from Apple.
The upside is people can now swim to the bottom of their pools and tell the world how deep they are!
$10/month or $5/day. Cheaper than a rental. Pay for what you need. Most rec divers are going to go on 1-2 trips a year so maybe $20.
It’s a certified dive accessory for recreational diving. It’s fine for 90% of people who dive as they don’t go past recreational limits. It’s a small group that needs features beyond this and this is not for them.
...or $4.99/day or $9.99/month. (it also has a free tier)
I personally wouldn't buy this specifically to use as a dive computer, but I can see this being a decent option for somebody that already has the watch and dives once or twice a year or takes a one or two week dive trip.
A more frequent diver will probably look for a dedicated dive computer.
Me? I"ll keep diving my Shearwater Perdix AI (with an old Garmin Descent mk1 as a backup).
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