When Apple held their WWDC 2019 keynote last week, I tuned in for news on iPhone and iPad software. But it’s good to take note of all the things Apple is doing because of their ecosystem. Growth in one area affects growth in other areas. So I learned about new features in watchOS. And I’ve never considered owning an Apple Watch until now.
I still wear a dumb-watch
The things I like most from Apple’s WWDC announcements pertain to iPhone and iPad because those are the only Apple devices I own.1 But I’ve had an eye on AirPods for a long time. And with their new improvements, I think it’s only a matter of time before I pick some up at my local Best Buy and put them in my ears.
When it comes to the Apple Watch though, I have always thought of it as superfluous. To me, it does not do anything that my iPhone or iPad can’t do. In fact, I kind of deride Apple Watch sometimes – and to be fair, all smartwatches – because it can’t even keep the display always-on like traditional watches.2
That’s why I’ve never really been interested in buying an Apple Watch. But a particular announcement at WWDC started to make me consider, for the first time, maybe, possibly, owning one after all.
Now hear this
Apple revealed a new app for their Watch. It’s called the Noise app. This surprised me; so far, I like what I hear!
A little back story is in order. In January this year, I finally got my hearing checked because I’ve suffered from Tinnitus for a while and last year it became worse. After seeing the audio specialist, it turns out that I have some mild hearing loss too.
So I wrote about it in a post and even tweeted at Tim Cook3, asking Apple to make a new product called, “HearPods.” They would be like AirPods but with added hearing aid technology!
I had learned through my doctor visit about devices like ReSound and how advanced modern hearing aids have become, using Bluetooth technology and apps for your phone. So I figured AirPods combined with hearing aid tech would be a perfect fit for Apple and for hearing loss sufferers.
So when Apple announced the new Noise app for Apple Watch, I was all ears.4 It monitors – without recording or saving any audio – your environment for sound, likely utilizing some magical microphones with amazing algorithms. It will measure the noise level and do a few things to help protect your hearing from damage:
- It gives you a “live” or “real-time” visual indicator of the noise level. So you can see if it’s too loud.
- It will “tap” your wrist with haptic vibration feedback, warning you to the excessive noise.
- It will send a notification/warning to your phone, recording the duration and danger level of the noise, so you can see it and be advised, which will allow you to take necessary actions or precautions.
Besides the usual places you might find noise pollution, I imagine the Noise app would be handy (and fun) for telling – or better, showing – my 5 sons they’re being too noisy in the house! Believe me, with 5 young boys living in a small house, the noise levels get, uh, challenging.
From Apple’s press release:
Maintenance of hearing health positively impacts the quality of life and studies have shown that hearing loss has been associated with cognitive decline.2 With the optimal position of Apple Watch on the wrist, the Noise app helps users understand the sound levels in environments such as concerts and sporting events that could negatively impact hearing. As the sound levels change, the app’s decibel meter moves in real time. The watch can send a notification if the decibel level reaches 90 decibels, which can begin to impact hearing after four hours per week of exposure at this level, according to the World Health Organization.
As Apple has improved the health and fitness capabilities of Apple Watch over the years, I’m slowly starting to think I might want to own one for myself.
A pedometer, a heart monitor, and a decibel meter are at least three unique hardware features with capabilities that my iPhone and iPad can’t do, which make the Apple Watch less superfluous and more compelling.
Sure, if I want great fitness features, I could spend less and enjoy a FitBit of some kind. But I prefer Apple stuff over third-party stuff because of their commitments to security, privacy, simplicity, and quality in the Apple ecosystem.
Will I end up with an Apple device on my wrist? Or in my ears? It sounds like a good possibility to me.
What do you think about the new Noise app? Do you already enjoy an Apple Watch or would you consider buying one? Let me hear what you have to say in the comments below or message me. Thanks for reading!
- I once owned the 2009 white plastic MacBook because of Mountain Lion. It was nice. I even switched from Lightroom to Aperture (R.I.P.) with it. ↩
- I owned the Moto 360 Android Wear smartwatch for a while and wore it everyday. It really bugged me how it could not consistently show me the time when I simply raised my wrist up to see it. I grew up with wristwatches always showing the time. That’s the best feature of a watch to me. ↩
- I hope I did not break Twitter etiquette protocol. ↩
- Pun totally intended! ↩
Jason Journals 
I had similar feelings about the Apple Watch, until I bought one. Now, I wear it every day and can’t imagine being without it. Quick glances at notifications, upcoming weather, and my shopping list while at the store are great. And, the activity tracking really does motivate me to do more. And Apple Pay on my wrist is so awesome. I didn’t think I’d use it/like it as much as I have.
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So the reminders app shows lists on your watch? Does it let you check off groceries on the watch? Sounds nice. I might buy one someday. I like the texting features I’ve seen, using Siri.
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Yes, you can check off the items on a list, so it’s great at the grocery store! This is a fairly new feature and I use it all the time.
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