I think it is important to also say that Apple not only constantly improves its software and systems, but also that the Apple Watch device in particular has some features which are notable for early adopters and those interested in the latest utility. I say all this so that people particularly interested in using an Apple Watch for sleep-tracking functions can consider some of the practical wearing logistics so that they can invest in the correct hardware. More so, the smoother and smaller size of the standard Apple Watches probably makes them more comfortable for sleeping purposes than the larger Apple Watch Ultra. Buckles and other hard objects on a band can poke into your body when sleeping, so I had to experiment with a few different Apple Watch bands to find one that was right for me. More so, not all Apple Watch bands are going to be as suitable for sleeping purposes. If the strap is too loose, then you might not get the best readings for things like your heart rate and body temperature. If the strap is too tight, then it could be uncomfortable or even get sweaty. More so, I had to experiment with the right strap. That means that in many of my normal sleeping positions, the Apple Watch would push into my body. I happen to be a side sleeper, for example, and lie in a way that my hands/arms often touch my face or upper torso. While some people can easily sleep with a wristwatch on, some cannot. Actually falling and staying asleep while wearing something on your wrist might be the largest hurdle to adoption, for many. I evaluated sleeping with two Apple Watches because part of using the Apple Watch for sleep tracking means that you of need to wear it while you are sleeping, of course, and I wanted to how comfortable I could get with each. I had a chance to check this product out for a while prior to beginning a longer-term review on the larger Apple Watch Ultra, which has a 50mm long case produced from titanium. Why did I choose this window of time to test Apple Health’s sleep system? Well, I just wanted to see how the tracking system would handle an unhealthy sleeping routine, especially with the new sleep phases tracking functionality.įor the test, I wore two watches, but mainly the Apple Watch Series 8 in the 45mm long aluminum case. Sadistically, I did choose to evaluate the sleep tracking function on the Apple Watch Series 8 during international travel and when my sleep schedule was anything but stable given the passage through time zones. The device will encourage you when you are hitting sleep goals, but it will not admonish you for missing them. Apple does, however, make it clear that it has designed sleep tracking with as little “negative reinforcement” as possible. When it comes to sleep, I got the data equivalent of a frowny face, and I probably only have myself to blame. If anything, because I found it much easier to satisfy my cyber-coach and complete my fitness goals than to rest enough. Given the proliferation of this device family, the Apple Watch will be many people’s first opportunity to have a smart device tracking how they are sleeping - and the experience, in my opinion, is quite different from relying on your Apple Watch to track your exercise goals. As is common today, Apple studies novel health-tracking technologies in the market and then develops them for its devices and for its audience. So, what about our sleeping hours?Īpple isn’t the first company to introduce sleep tracking in a smartwatch, and smartwatches are hardly the only “smart” devices that can track sleep. From making sure that I stand up enough to confirming that I have increased my heart rate enough during exercise, the Apple Watch is a welcome digital babysitter helping me to get the most out of my waking hours. Until now I’ve experienced the Apple Watch as a superlative fitness and activity tracking device for what I do during my waking hours. For now, let’s talk about what it is like to get cozy in bed with Apple’s most personal data-collection device, the Apple Watch. I anticipate that, like a high-performance military plane that can refuel mid-flight, Apple will soon engineer a way to recharge the Apple Watch without your having to first remove it. This adds to the list of ways your Apple Watch can get to know you - and this is a good time to mention that Apple provides a number of personal privacy assurances. Being in bed with your smartwatch is another opportunity for you to keep your smartwatch on. Apple’s watchOS 9 operating system for the Apple Watch introduces a new “sleep stages” tracking system as part of the sleep tracking feature that Apple originally introduced in watchOS 7.
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