Fall injuries send three million Americans to the emergency room each year. Luckily, your Apple Watch can help prevent falls. Here’s how, in 60 seconds.
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5 hidden health indicators to watch on your iPhone and Apple Watch
A 67-year-old woman in Maine was receiving warnings from her Apple Watch that her heart was in atrial fibrillation. After three nights of warnings, she went to the emergency room and doctors found a tumor in her heart. Here’s what happened next.
Irregular rhythm notifications are just one of the health features built into Apple devices that could monitor your health and save your life. Here are five hidden health indicators to watch on your iPhone and Apple Watch.
1. Steadiness
When carrying your iPhone in a pocket, the Health app uses custom algorithms to assess your balance, strength and gait. You’ll receive a notification if your level of steadiness drops.
Here’s how to set up Steadiness Notifications:
- Open the Health app and tap your profile at the top right. If you don’t see your picture or initials, tap Summary or Browse at the bottom of the screen, then scroll to the top of the screen.
- Tap Health Checklist.
- Tap Set Up for Walking Steadiness Notifications and follow the onscreen instructions.
2. Heart rate variability
Heart rate variability, or HRV, measures time intervals between heartbeats when you’re at rest. Your Apple Watch checks for irregular rhythms, sends you a notification and records the data in the Health app.
Irregular rhythms could indicate atrial fibrillation (Afib), where the heart’s upper chambers beat out of sync with the lower chambers.
Here’s how to check up on your HRV data:
- Open the Health app on your iPhone.
- Tap Browse in the bottom right corner.
- Tap Heart > Heart Rate Variability.
- At the top, choose to view your data by day, week, month, half-year and year.
Here’s how to enable irregular rhythm notifications:
What REALLY happens when you unsend, edit or delete a text in iOS 16
Should you upgrade to the iPhone 14? It includes crash detection, satellite communication in an emergency, and pro models get an always-on screen. Tap or click here to check out more on the new iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods Pro. Our verdict: If your phone is still working fine, hold off for now.
Is it worth buying an Apple Watch? It depends!
Apple Watch is so much more than just a timepiece. It can track your sleep and keep tabs on vital health information. There are even settings that might save your life someday. Tap or click here for potential life-saving settings to enable.
The greatest gift: Fix your family's tech this holiday season
We’re well into the holiday season and you’re probably planning lots of get-togethers. Want to be the star of the party? Bring along some beautiful memories, but leave the projector behind. Tap or click here to convert old VHS tapes to digital in time for the holidays.
This app helps with PTSD
Tech can change your life for the better. Listen to this one-minute podcast to find out how the Apple Watch app helps soldiers.
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Here are all the ways to block someone from your iPhone or iPad
Fall means one thing to Apple fans: the launch of a new iPhone and iOS. The iPhone 14 gets better crash detection and satellite communication for emergencies, and the Pro models add an always-on screen.
You don’t need the latest iPhone to enjoy the perks that come with iOS 16, however. And the big news is that you can finally edit and unsend text messages. Before you get too excited, there are some things you should know. Tap or click here for what happens when you unsend, edit or delete a text in iOS 16.
The latest iPhone update introduced a bug - Try this if your Wi-Fi is spotty
It is increasingly rare for software updates to be glitch-free. Over the last few years, there have been numerous instances where a new operating system, software upgrade or firmware update introduced weird bugs.
And the tech giants are not immune to these bugs, either. Microsoft’s Windows 11 launch generated several bugs, and now Apple’s latest iOS update is acting up for some users. If you notice that your Wi-Fi is losing connection, it’s most likely this latest glitch.
Update your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV today
Before it was even released, the big news for iOS 16 was that it would introduce the ability to unsend texts. Finally! Well, it’s not as cut-and-dry as it may sound. Tap or click here for what actually happens when you unsend, edit or delete a text in iOS 16.
New iPhone and Android security features to turn on
After months of rumors, Apple’s unveiled its new iPhone 14, Apple Watch 8 and AirPods Pro this month. All four iPhone 14 models get better crash detection and satellite communication in an emergency. Tap or click here for details on everything Apple revealed.
AirPods led police to find a stolen car with a baby inside
People use technology to find missing objects, alert emergency services or save someone’s life. One example is an Apple Watch that detected a tumor in a 67-year-old woman from Maine.
In another, the iPhone’s emergency SOS function helped a snowboarder contact emergency services after falling into a hidden crevasse at around 10,000 feet above sea level. But probably the most significant boon to Apple’s location-tracking technology is saving a baby’s life.
Update your phone! Why there are two updates for iPhones
It’s already been a big month for Apple. The company just unveiled the new iPhone 14, AirPods Pro and Apple Watch 8.
The Apple Watch Ultra is the largest model ever and is designed for extreme performance, while the iPhone 14 gets a satellite connection for emergencies. The new AirPods Pro will feature better noise canceling and longer battery life. Tap or click here for our coverage of all the shiny new Apple devices.
Have an iPhone, iPad or Mac? Here's how to set up Apple's built-in storage
Regarding storage, two important factors must be considered: Capacity and security. You want enough space to store your files, and you want them stored safely.
Cloud storage is an excellent choice for storing photos. You don’t have to worry about cluttering and slowing down your phone, and you can access them from your computer, phone or other connected devices. We’ve broken down a few options for you. Tap or click here to check out our report on Google Photos vs. iCloud vs. IDrive.
Tech how-to: How to automatically alert loved ones in an emergency
Uncertain times remind us that we’re not always as prepared as we need to be.
In the digital world, no one is ever truly ready for the reality of getting hacked. Tap or click to see if someone is really watching what you do or if you’re being paranoid.
An Apple Watch detected a tumor and saved her life — here’s how it can do the same for you
Apple Watch is among the bestselling smartwatches in the world, and for good reason. As a health tracker and communication tool, it changed how we look at watches. But this ingenious little gadget is capable of so much more.
Windows quick tip: Use the Cloud Clipboard to see the last 25 items you copied
Your everyday devices are packed with features and functions no one tells you are there.
Take Google, for instance. You can use a quick shortcut to open a new document, calendar invite or spreadsheet without clicking through menus. Tap or click for the time-saving secret.
Bad news if you have one of these older iPhone or iPad models
Apple recently held its Worldwide Developers Conference, and this year’s event was software-heavy.
Among the significant changes coming with the next iOS is the ability to recall recently sent text messages and emails. It’s about time, Apple! Tap or click here to check out our WDCC22 highlights.
Quick tip: Transform your iPhone into a white noise machine
With every new iOS, Apple introduces more features, tools and security updates. Developers are constantly pushing the envelope to compete with each other, and one way to keep users excited is to put on a show.
Apple’s 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference took place recently. Highlights of the keynote are new operating systems for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. With iOS 16, you’ll finally be able to unsend text messages! Tap or click here to check out our roundup.
Time to update! Apple’s emergency patch fixes zero-day vulnerability in Macs, Apple Watches
It’s always good practice to update your devices as soon as an update is available. It’s one of the best ways to defend against cybercriminals. You’ll usually get some helpful new tools, too.
May’s Patch Tuesday update from Microsoft fixed 75 flaws, including three zero-days. Tap or click here for details. It’s Apple’s turn. The tech giant just pushed out an emergency update for Mac computers and Apple Watches.
Tech smarts: 5 silly ways you’re flushing money down the toilet
For a columnist and national radio show host focused on technology, you might be surprised how often I’m asked about money.
It makes sense. We spend a ton of money on gadgets, and there’s always something new and shiny. Before you spring for a new phone, give yours this deep clean. You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes.