The most important factor in most medical readings (blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, and so on) is a trend in changes in the number, using the same device. In other words, if I have a blood pressure of 104/60, that doesn't mean a lot because that could be a normal blood pressure reading for me. If a subsequent reading is 98/56, that might indicate a problem but if I otherwise feel fine, it's more likely to be a false reading. However, if subsequent readings trend downward, either the device is broken (or misplaced) or something is going on with me. So, the most important advantage to an Apple Watch, as a medical device, would be that it can alert you to changes in these readings. If you have a medical problem that you're concerned about, that can be helpful. That number might be different from what you'd get at the doctor's office, but it can still be helpful.
I have found that purchasing a refurbished device from a company that does this all of the time works best for me. I have bought tablets, when people thought they had erased them, and they hadn’t, and then I had to return them, and start all over. (If they have not removed ALL of the passcodes and activation locks, then there is no way to use the device.) With the sellers who do this all of the time, they go through everything, and you can know that it actually works as it should, they do list any defects, and they usually have a good purchase return guarantee, should you need it. I have never had to return anything that I bought from an ebay seller that buys and refurbishes them all the time. I even got my Shark robot vacuum cleaner this way, and it works perfect, and cost me around $50, a real bargain ! Apple has just released new products with their fall Apple Event, so it is an excellent time for good deals on used devices. New iPhones should be coming out in October, so that will add even more to the used availability.
That's good advice...and a good deal on that Shark! I may start lining up qualified EBay sellers, or send one or two a note telling them what I'm wanting to do. I've not bought a lot of used technology except face-to-face, but have had good luck with EBay sellers. You just gotta be a reasonable human being with them.
@Yvonne Smith -- what's the ETA on your new watch? I just broke down and ordered one; I'm using the trade-in program. It's supposed to ship in one to two weeks.
It arrived last night, and I am now wearing it, @Beth Gallagher . I have been checking out the new blood oxygen sensor feature, and I think I am going to like it. I just mailed my Series 4 to a relative in Idaho who has a series 2, so she will now have the fall detection, and EKG features that that one has that hers didn’t. Here is what it looks like on the health app for today.
Do you happen to have another blood oxygen meter so that you could compare the readings? I was going to send my current watch for repair of the "runaway pulse" thing but decided to just go ahead and trade it for the 6. Which band did you choose? I went with the old standard silicone type; I read there are a lot of complaints about the fit of that one without a clasp. I can't imagine that being very comfortable without adjustment, but what do I know?
A regular pink sand silicone band came with the watch, but I prefer a leather band with a buckle, so I ordered one from Amazon and I think that i will like it better, I don’t have another oximeter to check it against; but anytime i have it checked at the doctor’s office, it has always been close to 98-100. Even if I had one, it would not help with what I want to know, and that is what my oxygen level does over night. I am not concerned that it is exactly perfect measurement, just I want to see whether it drops at night, and how much it drops. I can take the measurement with the app anytime I want, but it also checks it for me from time to time, just like the heart rate sensor does. Sometimes, when I am taking my watch off, I accidentally send it into the heart rate sensor mode, and then it is not accurate, because I am not even wearing the watch; but this happens very seldom, and it does not worry me either. I have the gold watch, and ordered this rose-gold watch band. It looks like it would be comfortable and still have kind of a bracelet look to it.
You go Yvonne! That will be fun to play around with. I like the idea of the health info on it and being able to answer the phone. Do you have to have your phone on you as well, like if you were to go out for a walk? I worry about the water part. Anyway, sounds like fun, enjoy it!
There are two options with the Apple Watch, @Maggie Rose . The GPS one has to be close to the phone to work, and that is what my first one (a Series 2) was like. It was still great because the phone could just stay in the bottom of my purse, and the watch alerted me when I had a message or phone call; so I never missed a message like I did with just the phone. By Series 3, they had also some out with a cellular version, and it is like having a separate line, but with the same number. I do not have to have my phone along at all with the cellular one, and Bobby mostly just leaves his phone at home now, unless he specifically needs it for some reason. It costs a little extra, but if you do not want to be tied to your cell phone, it is worth it. The Apple Watch has a water lock, and when I go swimming, I set the exercise activity for swimming, and that turns on the water lock. I think it is good for like 50 feet (maybe more?) , but way deeper than our pool at the fitness center. When I get done swimming, I turn the lock off and it blows any water out and opens the phone back up. It worried me at first too; but after I fell in the ocean and it didn’t ruin my watch, I started wearing it when I was swimming. I don’t have to count laps, because the watch can tell how many yards I swim, and turned it into laps for me. Truly, if you are serious about taking care of your health, an Apple Watch is about the greatest thing, and I consider mine to be a medical device that also happens to tell time and make phone calls.
Oh my gosh, what will they think of next? The whole blowing out the water and such just blew me away. Keeping track of your yards/laps too, I'm impressed with the technology. Wow! Almost always when my phone rings my hands are deep into the dishwater and by the time you dry your hands and get to your phone, oh well. I downloaded and tried a couple of different pedometer apps and neither one of them worked correctly. One day after walking about the first 1/2 mile, the pedometer said that I had walked 12 steps. What a waste. I wanted to track my physical progress for my leg exercise/strength. I'm glad you got your Apple Watch!
Ugh, I'm so wishy-washy. I ended up canceling that order for the gold colored watch and placing a new order for the "space gray." (I have a gold colored Fitbit and decided to go with a different look instead of having 2 that look the same.) So I have lost my place in line and had to go back and start over; ETA is now 2-3 weeks.
Why so long, @Beth Gallagher ? Mine arrived in about a week’s time, and it was ordered right after they came out. Maybe it is because of the trade-in program it takes longer to get it ?
I was reading a bunch of watch posts on the "Mac Rumors" forum; there has been a backlog of certain models/colors/straps since the introduction. I noticed when I placed the first order for the gold one it gave me a long wait time, then in a day or so it "adjusted" to much sooner. I don't think the trade in makes any difference one way or the other since those are handled by a 3rd party. (They send a prepaid mailer to ship the trade separate from the new purchase.)