{"id":81549,"date":"2022-09-29T08:43:09","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T08:43:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/apple-watch-series-8-review-better-womens-health-tracking-in-same-capable-package-apple\/"},"modified":"2022-09-29T08:43:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T08:43:09","slug":"apple-watch-series-8-review-better-womens-health-tracking-in-same-capable-package-apple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/apple-watch-series-8-review-better-womens-health-tracking-in-same-capable-package-apple\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple Watch Series 8 review: better women’s health tracking in same capable package | apple"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The latest Apple Watch adds new safety features and a temperature sensor for some intriguing uses for women’s health and family planning. But otherwise it remains the same as last year’s version.<\/p>\n

Like the latest iPhones, the Series 8 gets a \u00a350 (A$30 in Australia) price hike over its predecessor, costing from \u00a3419 (A$629) despite remaining $399 in the US, owing to weak currency rates against the dollar. But the Series 8 is not Apple’s most expensive new smartwatch. That title goes to the Ultra model costing \u00a3849 ($799\/A$1,299).<\/p>\n

The new, now-midrange Series 8 watch is essentially identical to the Series 7. The iPhone-only smartwatch has a smooth metal body, bright and crisp always-on screen and lasts about 36 hours between charges, including sleep tracking. It is still the most capable of smartwatches.<\/p>\n

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<\/svg><\/span>Sensors on the back of the watch measure heart rate, blood oxygen levels, take ECGs and enable a comprehensive range of general health tracking features.<\/span> Photograph: Samuel Gibbs\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Adding to the existing fall detection, a new accelerometer and gyroscope can detect the extreme forces associated with a car crash and automatically call the emergency services if you do not respond within 20 seconds. A potentially lifesaving feature that is hopefully just there for peace of mind.<\/p>\n

A pair of temperature sensors can track the change in your wrist temperature overnight, setting a baseline over five nights with sleep tracking enabled. It can’t tell you your exact temperature, but small changes can indicate various different things, from exercise and alcohol consumption to sickness and jet lag.<\/p>\n

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\"Temperature<\/picture><\/div>
<\/svg><\/span>You can view the temperature data alongside sleep within the iPhone’s Health app, though you’re left alone to figure out what it means.<\/span> Photograph: Samuel Gibbs\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The primary use of the sensor is for optional enhanced tracking of women’s health for logging of menstrual cycle and ovulation. The watch tracks the small increase in body temperature that typically occurs after ovulation, which it combines with logged cycle data to give a retrospective estimate of the day of ovulation. It takes about two cycles for the estimates to be worked out, but it could be a useful tool for those attempting to get pregnant or avoid it, as well as generally tracking their cycle health for irregularities.<\/p>\n

Health data collected by the watch, including heart rate, ECG results and cycle data is logged in the Health app on your phone and encrypted end-to-end when backed up to your iCloud account. This means only you and those you intentionally share the data with, such as your partner or doctor, can view it. Neither Apple nor third parties can read it.<\/p>\n

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Specifications<\/h2>\n

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