Apple Watch Getting Hand Washing Feature With 20-Second Countdown and Haptic Feedback

[MacRumors]

No more having to hum the "happy birthday" song to yourself twice, as the Apple Watch features a new hand washing feature in watchOS 7.

Using its motion sensors and microphone, the Apple Watch automatically detects hand washing and starts a 20‑second timer, which is how long the CDC and many other health organizations recommend washing your hands. If your Apple Watch detects that you've stopped washing your hands early, it will encourage you to continue for the full 20 seconds.

In addition, the Apple Watch can remind you to wash your hands when you get home.

watchOS 7 is available in beta for registered Apple developers today, with a public beta to follow next month. The software update will be released to all users with an Apple Watch Series 3 or newer in the fall.

Article Link: Apple Watch Getting Hand Washing Feature With 20-Second Countdown and Haptic Feedback

 

[Kylo83]

Such a silly feature

 

[iCole]

Stop counting for yourself. Just buy a 500 dollar accessory to do it for you.

 

[yaxomoxay]

These are the things that make me think that Ted Kaczynski had a point in his manifesto (certainly not in his solution).

 

[Sirious]

Surely they should add something like this into the current watchOS 6? In September, washing hands (while still very important), it will be less of an issue..........

 

[EricNau]

Can it also sound an audible alarm when a wearer doesn't wash their hands?

 

[Spacetime Anomaly]

I'm still singing the first verse of 'I Ain't Goin' Out Like That' by Cypress Hill.

 

[QCassidy352]

lol. Really? This is something we need? Have we become that stupid and helpless that we need technology to help us wash our hands?

 

[centauratlas]

I didn't see it mentioned above, but if you have to turn it on using your grubby-pre-washed hands, that will contaminate the watch. Never mind if it is automatic and can sense when you are starting to wash or if you can say "hey siri, I'm washing my hands".

Of course if it is a Siri thing, just say "hey siri start a 30 second timer".

 

[Kleber20]

This is so needful.

 

[artfossil]

lol. Really? This is something we need? Have we become that stupid and helpless that we need technology to help us wash our hands?

For me, the answer is "yes."

I needed technology to remind me to stand. Standing once every hour is beneficial to my health. Washing my hands and washing them for long enough is critical for my health. I'll be grateful to have a reminder.

 

[canyonblue737]

I didn't see it mentioned above, but if you have to turn it on using your grubby-pre-washed hands, that will contaminate the watch. Never mind if it is automatic and can sense when you are starting to wash or if you can say "hey siri, I'm washing my hands".

Of course if it is a Siri thing, just say "hey siri start a 30 second timer".

nope. it hears the sound of running water and feels the motion of your hands rubbing together and starts automatically. lol.

 

[C DM]

lol. Really? This is something we need? Have we become that stupid and helpless that we need technology to help us wash our hands?

As with many things, it doesn't necessarily need to be something in the "need" category.

 

[SeattleMoose]

In your face INNOVATION!!! 😅

 

[chrono1081]

You all laugh but my nurse friends love it. No singing happy birthday twice.

 

[Mellofello808]

No third party watch face, no care.

 

[seamuskrat]

As a healthcare worker and lab scientist this is a welcome addition. 75% of the sinks I use at work have timers to ensure you scrub in for a pre-determined set of time. This was long before COVID etc. So assuming its an adjustable time limit to meet a variety of needs, this could really help. On our sinks without timers, we have old fashioned push button timers which often fall down and the batteries die. Obviously surgeons/nurses don't wear watches for surgical scrub in, but plenty of people in labs and associated health care settings do have required 30-60 second scrub protocols. So not a universally needed feature but a nice one for those that need to track this.

 

[nordique]

Fellow health care worker here

I find this silly but it could help people to understand how long proper hand washing should last for

 

[BornAgainMac]

I wish there was a way to wash hands quicker to accomplish the same level of clean. Maybe switch to ARM.

 

[rkdiddy]

Is that watch band color cactus?

 

[EricNau]

Surely they should add something like this into the current watchOS 6? In September, washing hands (while still very important), it will be less of an issue..........

I agree... This feature—and the other covid-related features Apple has announced—are being released far too late. Apple should have prioritized and released with currently available operating systems, not bundled with large marketing moments.

They could be saving lives right now, if they wanted. Apparently they didn't want to, at least not too soon.

 

[johngordon]

Stop counting for yourself. Just buy a 500 dollar accessory to do it for you.

Yeah, because that's Apple's entire value proposition on buying an Apple Watch? It is what it is, a kinda fun, kinda topical, little app.

 

[Dissonance]

Do they have this for teeth-brushing as well? If not, they should!

 

[CarlJ]

Stop counting for yourself. Just buy a 500 dollar accessory to do it for you.

Your argument is that people will buy an Apple Watch only for this feature?

Okay then.
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Surely they should add something like this into the current watchOS 6? In September, washing hands (while still very important), it will be less of an issue..........

You think COVID-19 is going to be fade away by September? Right before we go into annual cough & cold season? Huh.

 

[MN7119]

Slow days at Apple. What a useless feature.