Apple Watch thread

[6spdmanual]

There are third party apps that are better than the default sleep detection functionality… Autosleep for example will detect sleeping without having to set a bed time, though it does also use that method if you configure it.

Agreed. I used to have an app (can’t remember what) that could even detect when you were napping. Was great.

 

[Thor]

Settings - Health - Data Access & Devices. Then select the Fitbit app (whatever it’s called), then give it permission to write whatever data you want.

Oh I tried that, fitbit isn't there.

 

[CranialBlaze]

Same in the watch side, wasn't apple the first company to make a smart watch?

Fitbit eating their lunch.

Does Fitbit even make a smart watch yet?

I’ve seen many people make the mistake of comparing apple to Garmin, you cannot compare a smartwatch to a sports watch, they live in different worlds, suit different needs.

Sports watches will have better battery and gps as they are single purpose devices. They do one thing and are hopefully bloody good at that one thing.

Apple makes a smart watch, so it does a lot of things, and it does them well, but it’s not possible for it to do any one thing as well as something designed to only do one thing.

I started back with the original Fitbit, and **** Fitbit is probably the best sleep tracker by a mile, even Garmin is worthless at that, I could never comprehend how a R500 device could detect a nap yet a 16grand one could not.

For every day use, for the “many” things, I find apple a much better option. I still however have a Garmin on my bike.

If you compare apple with Samsung and Huawei then you’ll probably find capability wise it’s the best, not if you go and compare it to Garmin and Polar and apparently even Fitbit, they not the same class of device.

Not surprised Fitbit is the best sleep tracker out their, they had like what a 4 year headstart on everyone else.

BTW. That Asleep app mentioned, used it last night and it does remind me of the Fitbit esq sleep tracking data, seems apple has it, just does not show it.

My summary for last night, you can tap into each for more deets.

I have not used Fitbit since like the 2nd or 3rd one, I however sold my Garmin Fenix and for my every day strapped to my body use, it’s years ahead of Garmin, for sport tracking, it works, I use it for running and gym, nothing can really do a kak job there. For a bike however, as with your likeness for the Fitbit level of sleep detail, I want Garmins level of cycling data and I don’t see that level coming from a smart watch in my lifetime.

 

[AfricanTech]

What if I don't stick to my bed time?

Fitbit uses heart rate variation, temperature and respiratory to gauge sleeping automatically.

I just find apple watch stranger and stranger / less appealing.

And I'm an apple fan boy of note, iPhone, imac, macbook, pods, speakers etc

But my goodness I'm not obvious thet beyond nice looking products they are not in par software wise since 2019.

Windows and Android basically leapfrogged them on software.

Same in the watch side, wasn't apple the first company to make a smart watch?

Fitbit eating their lunch.

If only fitbit could sync with Apple health, that's my mine grudge point here, I want to use apple health, but thet would mean apple watch, but apple watch is a considerable downgrade compared to what I have already.

Some screenshots from the various apps I've been testing (free versions only)

Napbot

Pillow

Sleepwatch

Btw, thanks for raising the topic - been wanting to try the sleep tracking but just never got around to it.

Battery life seems ok - put watch on charger just after supper, wear to bed , then back on charger while doing morning ablutions.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I do.

Especially deep sleep.

When I train and work, it all depends on my sleep.

Sleep is the single most important health metric available, physically and psychologically.

I want to order the Eight Sleep as well, but shipping To South Africa is more than the device itself.

Bear in mind there are obviously apps that tie into the sleep tracking a lot more.

What you saw there is only the built-in Health default tracking.

Personally don’t care for it so haven’t bothered but there are many many out there.

Wearing a watch while sleeping is far more detrimental to my sleep than anything else.

 

[Thor]

Thank you @AfricanTech & @CranialBlaze for the screenshots, seems there is some hope after all & a desire that the series 7 will come with at least a 3-day battery life.

Here are some screenshots of Fitbit (keep in mind it's automated) to act as a baseline. All this data is also available in CSV format for exporting, which is neat.

 

[Thor]

Wearing a watch while sleeping is far more detrimental to my sleep than anything else.

I do not notice the Fitbit at all, the design is brilliant for it, the Apple watch might be a chunky bitch so I will need to borrow someone's watch to test it out probably.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I do not notice the Fitbit at all, the design is brilliant for it, the Apple watch might be a chunky bitch so I will need to borrow someone's watch to test it out probably.

I will say it is a “bone sensitivity” to the reader unit at the bottom which year is rounder and harder than most.

The Fitbit for this specific purpose is likely the better device all round for comfort and purpose.

Apple Watch is more of a daily driver than happens to also do this.

That being said I’m just very sensitive to these kinds of things so probably not representative.

I even take my rings off when going to bed.

 

[CranialBlaze]

I do not notice the Fitbit at all, the design is brilliant for it, the Apple watch might be a chunky bitch so I will need to borrow someone's watch to test it out probably.

Once you used to sleeping “strapped” in, you stop noticing, for the first night or 2 you may pop your arm in a slightly different spot but after that it’s normal again.

I’ve gone from as small as the what 20/30g Fitbit one all the way to the 98g freaking 3” Fennix on my wrist basically 24/7. It’s stranger to sleep with nothing than to adjust the size of the thing.

I would not bet on the 3 days, I don’t think we going from 18/20 to suddenly 72 hours in a year with basically no improvements in any technology really, let alone battery.

Rumors are it’s being scared off so that may add a smidgen of battery room but I’d equate that to a couple of hours, not a couple of days.

I have mine on charge for about half hour after morning gym and about 40mm prebed, maybe a bit over an hour if there was no gym that morning.

 

[AfricanTech]

Thank you @AfricanTech & @CranialBlaze for the screenshots, seems there is some hope after all & a desire that the series 7 will come with at least a 3-day battery life.

Here are some screenshots of Fitbit (keep in mind it's automated) to act as a baseline. All this data is also available in CSV format for exporting, which is neat.

View attachment 1136320View attachment 1136322View attachment 1136324View attachment 1136326

Just a reference to the 'automated' part, l literally just loaded and went through the initial setup for each app, gave the necessary access to health data etc. then wore the watch to bed.

 

[AfricanTech]

I do not notice the Fitbit at all, the design is brilliant for it, the Apple watch might be a chunky bitch so I will need to borrow someone's watch to test it out probably.

I don't notice the watch at all - then again I wear it all the time so it's become 'invisibke'

 

[CranialBlaze]

Not scrolling up, thanks to the suggester of AutoSleep, it picked up todays nap too.

 

[6spdmanual]

First day with Garmin after 4 years with Apple Watch and all I can say is WOW! The amount of in depth data is amazing, and it syncs almost in real-time with Health. This watch is definitely a keeper

 

[OnlyOneKenobi]

Anyone know if you have to be on a contract with Vodacom to get an e-sim for Apple Watch Cellular? I'm currently on month to month and thinking of getting an S6 or S7 with cellular which will make my life easier when going running, etc.

 

[bluepoole]

Anyone know if you have to be on a contract with Vodacom to get an e-sim for Apple Watch Cellular? I'm currently on month to month and thinking of getting an S6 or S7 with cellular which will make my life easier when going running, etc.

Vodacom OneNumber | Vodacom

Vodacom contract customers only [contract refers to post-paid subscribers and does not include “top up” or “prepaid” subscribers].

www.vodacom.co.za

According to this, yes you have to be a contract subscriber

 

[Thor]

Anyone know if you have to be on a contract with Vodacom to get an e-sim for Apple Watch Cellular? I'm currently on month to month and thinking of getting an S6 or S7 with cellular which will make my life easier when going running, etc.

Only Telkom allows you to get an eSIM independent of your contract. Telkom's eSIMs are prepaid or contract you can choose, but more importantly, they are un-thethered.

 

[OnlyOneKenobi]

Only Telkom allows you to get an eSIM independent of your contract. Telkom's eSIMs are prepaid or contract you can choose, but more importantly, they are un-thethered.

Apparently Telkom's eSims are just for phones at this point. Guess I'll have to renew my Vodacom contract if I want to go with a cellular AW.

 

[Thor]

Apparently Telkom's eSims are just for phones at this point. Guess I'll have to renew my Vodacom contract if I want to go with a cellular AW.

I don't think it's possible to make that distinction?

A modem is a modem

 

[CranialBlaze]

I don't think it's possible to make that distinction?

A modem is a modem

Apparently one can, Vodacoms eSIM only works on the watch, apparently using it on a phone will result in calls and messages not arriving or being unreliable, at least according to Vodacon

 

[Thor]

Oh, I see,

"Non-smartphone devices such as smartwatches that are eSim enabled will be supported “at a later stage”, Telkom said."

Well, that is just damn stupid tbh. Telkom has an opportunity here to capture the market.