How accurate is it on these other devices? If it’s little more than a gimmick Apple won’t implement it. It would certainly be nice to have, and there are many applications for it, but the tech may not be where Apple would want it to be to have it in the watch. In the past there’s been talk about using the watch band for implementing some features. Perhaps this is where a pulse ox would be added.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
We need an Oximeter installed in the iPhone
- Thread starter DuncF
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Piss-poor response, especially considering Apple's goal with the watch is to be a health device.
I lost my dad to COPD two weeks ago and for the better part of two years, he couldn't breathe with a lung capacity of 26%. Monitoring his ability to breathe was critical.
"Go see a doctor", can't fix ignorance of those unaffected I guess. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Last edited:
My condolences to you on the loss of your father. I empathize with you. My father passed just before Veterans Day of congestive heart failure, but he also suffered from COPD.
We of course monitored his oxygen levels with the finger tip pulse ox. Also measured his vitals with the standard medical equipment. In retrospect, it would have been great to have the data in Health and there are devices that monitor blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels which can pass through to iOS. Having all that capability on an Apple Watch would be convenient for sure.
Also, I agree with the seemingly standard response I've seen in various posts--"go see a doctor or health professional". It's absolutely valid for diagnosis and treatment, there's no denying that. I feel like that's a blanket statement and quite possibly at times insensitive. Having data to show and share with your doctor on your next appointment would not only be incredibly convenient but quite possibly helpful to continued treatment and hopefully a cure. I mean why else are we tracking health data through an Apple Watch or other smart watch. That's kind of the point, no?
Last edited:
Exactly. My dad went to the Mayo Clinic in October and they asked that he bring his medical records from the last year. He got them from his hospital, and it was 4 REAMS of papers, each sealed in plastic. So he went to the doctor - plenty. And still, there were tons and tons and tons of times he needed to do extra measurements, etc., at home, and extra watch functionality would've been nice.
Sorry on your loss as well - my dad also had the congestive heart failure, but in the end it was officially the COPD that got put on the death certificate.
It would seem to me from what I've learned by speaking to my doctor is that many medical people feel consumer devices, whilst potentially helping people see there may be issues, do not replace proper medical grade instruments when it comes to diagnosis and management.
If someone is so ill that they need regular readings from such devices, then I'd be gobsmacked if any medical specialist would settle for anything less than properly fitted, calibrated and known medical grade equipment that they directly control.
If nothing else than for medical malpractice reasons alone.
I see anything medical Apple add as being helpful indicators of potential problems that you may not otherwise receive.
If someone is so ill that they need regular readings from such devices, then I'd be gobsmacked if any medical specialist would settle for anything less than properly fitted, calibrated and known medical grade equipment that they directly control.
If nothing else than for medical malpractice reasons alone.
I see anything medical Apple add as being helpful indicators of potential problems that you may not otherwise receive.
Withings has added it to their latest watches. Which look really classy as usual. https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/05/withings-says-its-latest-watch-can-detect-sleep-apnea/
Speaking of Pulse Ox monitoring
forums.macrumors.com
Masimo Sues Apple for Stealing Trade Secrets for Health Monitoring Functions in Apple Watch
Masimo, a medical technology company that designs pulse oximetry devices, has filed a lawsuit against Apple accusing the Cupertino company of stealing trade secrets and improperly using Masimo inventions related to health monitoring in the Apple Watch. According to Bloomberg, Masimo claims that...
forums.macrumors.com
it would be incredibly helpful. Blood sugar meters are now date and time organized. There is an app to show your caregiver plus the meter verification. Written food intake logs help with teaching diabetes self care. Cardiology asks about current recent blood pressures on a home device prior to medication adjustments. Sure, there is clinic verification but awareness helps guide a conversation. Also, having an oxygen meter helps control the fear with not catching one’s breath to reinforce using an inhaler from time to time. Besides, knowing that their oxygen level isn’t varying so much they need oxygen services can prevent panic.
In addition to my Apple Watch S4LTE, I have a Garmin fenix 6 Pro Sapphire. I actually love both watches, but I bought the Fenix for the SpO2 feature, along with it's "body battery" function, among other things. I can state that I have an iHealth SpO2 meter, and it's very accurate according to tests. After wearing the fenix for a few days to let it get "used to" my body functions, respiration, etc, the Fenix's SpO2 meter is IMHO very accurate. I've taken a measurement with the fenix on my wrist, and the iHealth on my finger, same hand, and they've read if not identical, within one unit (%) of each other. Of course, it does take quite a hit on the battery if you leave it on 24/7, but it's interesting to see the variation. It takes the battery from around 10 days with it off, to about 7-8 with it on for "Sleep Only", to around 5-6 days when on 24/7.
I suspect the battery hit is most likely the main reason for it not being on the AW.
Interesting. I am still tempted to get a Fenix 6 now that they have vastly improved open water swim tracking. How do you find the new firstbeat metrics? I am interested in recovery & body battery type stuff which I always think I am missing out on with my AW4. I also have some money burning a hole in my pocket 😂
The Firstbeat metrics, Recovery time, and training zones are why I keep the Garmin. The Body battery is pretty accurate, I believe, but I'm really still figuring that out. It does need some time to adjust to your personal routines, HR levels, etc. I've found that with some apps, (FitIV Pulse, for example) I can get just about the same data as with the Garmin, albeit in a slightly different format. Auto Sleep does give a "readiness score", which is almost a recovery type indicator, and Runalyze does give "Rest Days". I really do love the Garmin, and appreciate the SpO2 and respiration data. It's a hard choice if I could only keep one, for sure. There's so many things to like about both, and once one realizes how the GPS works on both, the reported "errors" in the GPS are understandable. If you have the bucks, I'd say go ahead and get one from someone like CLever Training, or REI where you can return it if it doesn't fit your purpose. I got the Fenix 6 Pro Sapphire, because that's the one that has maps, music, and Garmin Pay (apple pay with a different lable).
Apple Watch Blood Oxygen Monitoring Feature Found in iOS 14 Code
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/03/09/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-monitoring/
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/03/09/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-monitoring/
I see the need, and it seems I'm not alone in that view. But since YOU don't see the need, I guess Apple will just delete all that code everyone's finding and forget about that idea.
This is a poor response and attitude.
Well, the good news is: "Apple is working on a new Apple Watch feature that detects blood oxygen levels, according to newly discovered code snippets in iOS 14 (via 9to5Mac)."
From other responses to my original post, it is clear that serious runners like and use them. I was pleased to see that coding for SpO2 is included in IOS 14. So maybe in a year???DuncF while I find the answer from that "moderator" petulant at best, I would agree that unless there is another use case for this thing beside the subset of populations with damaged lungs, which by your measure is thousands, so let's say it is a million in the US out of the ~330mm .003% of the population. still a good number of people and potential sales, albeit not all of the million with lung issues would buy such a device since you can purchase one at the drug store for a few bucks the will meet ones needs sufficiently.
So is there some other reason for them to add this thing? Maybe the hardcore exercise crowd would use it? Lord knows there are plenty of them out there
My condolences! I have copd and lost part of a lung to stage 1 lung cancer. I was lucky it was caught early. An oxygen monitor in my watch would be great. I agree with you 100 percent.
It seems like Covid-19 sufferers could have a dangerously low Blood Oxygen level without even realising. Wouldn’t it be great if Apple could hurry up and release an app for the Apple Watch that could provide an alarm if the level were to deteriorate.
Possibly many lives could be saved with an early medical intervention.
Just saying.
Possibly many lives could be saved with an early medical intervention.
Just saying.
yes, blood oxygen levels will be a new feature of WOS 7, but it will be only for Apple Watch series 6 or they will include it in AW4 and AW5? i hope that these feature related to health will be include for older models
That’s my point, given the current circumstances it would be churlish to restrict it to only the newer watches if the older ones were capable.
