The new Apple Apple Watch Series 4 has turned upside down the world of smartwatches, introducing a watch that has a bunch of new gimmicks compared to the previous ones.

Apple introduced its new iPhone Xs, Xs Max and Xr along with the new Watch Series 4 in the last keynote held on September 12th. No surprises here. What we did not expect, however, was to see a smartwatch capable of making us a reliable electrocardiogram (ECG). Let alone a feature that detects if we have fallen and we need assistance.

Thinking of the previous series of Apple smartwatch, there was an overall feeling that they are a great, luxurious extension of the smartphone. More ‘wearable’, directly accessible from our wrist. We could pick up calls, receive notifications and more, without bothering to take the iPhone out of the pocket. But still, this great innovation was seen as a basic shortcut of the smartphone, a mere extension of its functionality.

Apple has just changed this standard, though. Now we have a device of intrinsic importance. One able to control our health by doing an ECG. Let’s get down to details:

How does the ECG work on the Apple Watch Series 4?

The Apple Watch ECG works when we press the digital crown for 30 seconds to record our heart rate. Is it a powerful ECG? Yes, it is endorsed by the American Heart Association and by the FDA.

The heart rate is calculated in real time, differently from what is used in a hospital. In hospitals, ECGs are taken by placing several sensors around the patient’s chest, at strategic points. The results are measured by leads, which are 12 parameters that measure the heart rate.

In the case of the Apple Watch Series 4, it measures the heart rate through two contacts. The finger that presses the digital crown and the wrist that is in contact with the sensor on the reverse side of the smart watch. This calculation is less professional but highly effective in calculating common arrhythmias and alerting the user to seek medical treatment. The trick is that when you press the digital crown, the watch establishes a short circuit with your body, sending an electrical current and measuring it.

Despite being accustomed to devices that calculate the heart rate, it is a real breakthrough to see it finally featured on a device capable of sitting on our wrist.

What do we do with it later? All the information of the electrocardiogram is stored in a native app that we can reference to at any time or send the results to a medical professional. The app combines thorough medical data that could be useful in a diagnosis with simpler day to day facts for easier understanding.

Other functionalities that go in the line of protecting our health is the detection of falls. A feature that is activated directly in smart watch users for more than 65 years. However, everyone can manually turn it on. Once the alert starts, we can send an alert to our emergency contacts and seek help if the worst came to be,

How does the digital crown of the Apple Watch work?

The digital crown now has a haptic feedback when we scroll down. It might be seen as a small change but produces a more pleasant experience. Now we have the certainty that we are going through each element. We are also fascinated by the precision it has to move between the menus. Without hurry but without pause, much more fluid and elegant than its predecessors.

In navigation we see new faces and complications that are perfectly shaped to the curvy frame of the watch. Unfortunately this statement is limited. That is it because most of the complications are not updated for the new formats of Series 4. We must wait for the developers to catch up with the Series 4 and update them.

The watch comes in 40mm and 44mm. Their price starts at $399 for the 40mm GPS and cellular. For the 44mm the price starts at $499 and for the cellular one at $529.  As a novelty, we can see that Apple has joined the fashion of ceramics to make the screen, under the assumption that phone waves penetrate better and that it will facilitate reception.

Best apps for the Apple Watch Series 4

Little by little the developers are making the transition to the new design. And improving the design and performance of their apps for wearable users. Among them, we find the most useful ones that we need on our daily routine.

1. Find your car with MemoPark for Apple Watch Series 4

Never forget where you parked your car again with MemoPark, the most effective solution. With a minimalist design, it saves the location of the vehicle from our smartwatch or phone and takes us to the car using GPS directions. In addition, it has Siri shortcuts to activate it with a voice command and allows us to add images or notes. At just $ 1.99, you can always know where you left your car.

2. Find and track your workouts with Strava for Apple Watch Series 4

A classic. Strava is a very complete app that allows you to dive among workouts, choose the ones that you like the most and keep a report of your progress. In addition, it is like a social network that enables you to share your trainings and value those of other users. It is free with in-app purchases. It is free but offers in-app purchases.

3. Organize your notes and events with Cheatsheet for Apple Watch Series 4

A very visual organizer of notes, in the style of evernote. Cheatsheet has lists of tasks, to-do lists and it synchronizes with other devices. It is free but offers in-app purchases.

4. Have your boarding pass on hand with App In The Air for Apple Watch Series 4

Travelers can add all the information related to the flight on the small screen of their smartwatch Series 4. For example, the boarding time, the gate door or the baggage carousel. In addition to delays and other notifications. App In The Air is free but offers in-app purchases.