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I don't get this. Can people not count to 20 anymore?

Truth is, most people don't wash for as long as they should. It's just a tiny app that will assist in doing it better. Surgeons use wash timers quite often. They're built-in to several makes of the wash sinks they use.
 
The watch is becoming more and more of a nanny product. Make sure you stand up make sure you walk make sure you breathe make sure you wash your hands. I'm a grown adult I feel like I have my mother strapped to my wrist.
 
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Bacteria won't disappear automatically after the 20 seconds have passed. You don't really need a timer for washing your hands.

It's not a matter of complete disinfection. Washing for 20 seconds will remove enough bacteria to make the remaining load essentially harmless. Many people don't wash for as long as they should. So a little help can go a long way.
 
For those complaining: can you please post a copy of the court order you received that requires you to use this feature?

Will I use it? Idk. Probably not. Will I sit here and pretend that every time I wash my hands I do so for 20 seconds? Absolutely not.
 
To listen to music on your Apple Watch rather than your iPhone, follow these steps:
  1. Press and hold the Apple Watch screen (Force Touch) while in the Music app to launch a couple options. ...
  2. Tap Device and you should see you're able to toggle between your devices. ...
  3. Select Apple Watch.
Uhhh.. thanks?
 
I thought this was what the second hand was for? (...among... other things..)
 
It should be noted that this feature seems to only work on series 4 and later watches.
Thanks for letting us know, I was really wonder whether if S3 would be supported
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Yup. No washing for dirty series 3 users.
Screw apple for these planned obsolescence. Firstly, they keep making features (like this handwashing one) exclusive to only the newest models. Secondly, they also just completely drop support for S2 and 1 in watchOS 7
 
I have a theory that the average IQ of Americans has dropped by 10-15 points over the past 20 years.

"Features" like this cement that opinion.
 
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Well they’re talking about my hand washing app in Apple Watch yet we can’t even get ECG app to work in Australia after two years I guess we’ll wait three years for this to work.
 
Not voice activated, but the automatic detection works using a combination of the motion sensors along with audio (specifically running water and squishing soap) to avoid, uh, certain types of accidental activations.

I often have it activate while lathering shampoo on my hands in the shower, but other than that it’s been really solid.
I am thinking along the line where it is creepy that the watch is listening the whole time and could improve by making it voice activated only when I needed it to.
 
Find it really hard that Apple want to add a hand washing timer when they can’t even add ECG app to Australian Apple watches so many features advertised as coming but never arrived two years down the track I know how to wash my hands I know how to use sanitiser I don’t need to be told how to do it.
 
Yay I need a app to tell me how to wash my hands and give me positive reinforcement after. Excuse me while I wipe the drool of my chin.
 
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I am thinking along the line where it is creepy that the watch is listening the whole time and could improve by making it voice activated only when I needed it to.
If you prefer there’s also an option to receive a reminder to wash your hands if you don’t do so within a few minutes of getting home, but I think that’s the closest they get to allowing one to start sessions manually.

When the watch is listening constantly, it’s all done on-device. The watch especially makes it impractical to send mic audio to the paired iPhone constantly, let alone a server.
 
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It's funny to see people complaining about a hand-washing app given that, for years, the watch has had an app that literally tells you how to breathe.
 
I'm shocked no one mentions how much germs are on the watch and strap itself. Take off the watch, and wash your wrists, at least.
 
If you prefer there’s also an option to receive a reminder to wash your hands if you don’t do so within a few minutes of getting home, but I think that’s the closest they get to allowing one to start sessions manually.

When the watch is listening constantly, it’s all done on-device. The watch especially makes it impractical to send mic audio to the paired iPhone constantly, let alone a server.
Home...that is tracking...😓
 
I've worked in a myriad of research labs and hospitals during my 43 years on this planet, handling various bacteria and fungi, never needed an app to tell me how to wash my hands...and I'm still here! *shakes fist at clouds*

Yes, I appreciate that no-one is forcing me to use it. My gripe is with the dumbing down of society. Can people not think for themselves anymore!?

Bloatware, plain and simple.
 
So much supposed outrage and snark about an optional feature...humanity is hardly surprising.
 
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I’m waiting for WatchOS 8 and the butt wiping feature. Also hoping for how to lock a door, pay a bill, and other basic skills.
 
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What about children and adults with learning disabilities or traumatic brain injury? Are they failures at life because they need a tool like this to assist them in their day to day life?

Are young kids failures at life because they are using this app, along with their parents, to get in the habit of good hygiene?

In my opinion, you need to really stop and think before speaking. What you said is wrong on so many levels.

In my opinion, you should do the same... now wash yo hands!
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1. Apple isn’t forcing you to use the app.
2. If your watch supports the feature, it is turned off by default.
3. Not everyone in the world shares your myopic viewpoint; and one that doesn’t take into account people with different backgrounds and needs.
4. Regardless of what you may think, there are many people that can and will benefit from this simple app.


Why not just change your handle to "BasicHandwashGuy"... You've got this man!
 
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