Samsung Galaxy Watch vs. Apple Watch Series 4: Which should you buy?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. Fitness tracking is our passion, and we base our recommendations for choosing the best accessory on hundreds of hours of research.

Samsung Galaxy Watch (46mm)

Everything you need

$349 at Amazon

Pros

• Multiple days of battery life
• Always-on display
• Hundreds of watch faces to choose from
• Unique bezel navigation system

Cons

• Kind of big for what it is
• App selection is pretty basic

Samsung made a big watch that does a little bit of anything and runs on just about everything. Its most important feature is the battery, which can get 4+ days of us when set up correctly.

Apple Watch Series 4 (44mm)

Polished excellence

$429 at Apple

Pros

• Sleek, thin design
• Fitness tracking is excellent
• Impressive haptics
• Polished UI

Cons

• Battery is just okay
• No third party watch faces
• No always-on mode
• iOS Only

Apple’s latest wearable is polished, comfortable to wear, and can get you a little more than a day’s use if you’re not too active. Its biggest strength is the wealth of fitness apps at your disposal.

The price of longevity, the cost of elegance

Smartwatches strike an often clumsy balance between trying to look like a watch and act like a gadget. A lot of this is because there’s not one thing every person wants or needs from these watches. Some want a nice watch-shaped gadget which tells time and occasionally delivers information from your phone. Others want a standalone fitness accessory which allows you to leave your phone at home when you work out. And in this divide, Samsung and Apple exist at mostly cross purposes.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch looks and feels like a watch at all times, with an always-on display and plenty of watch faces for total personalization. Apple’s Watch looks and feels like an iPhone accessory, with a massive array of first and third-party fitness apps and health accessories but little opportunity to control individual features. The fitness features on Samsung’s Galaxy Watch can track quite a bit, but there’s very little outside of these Samsung-made options available to users.

The truth is these are both excellent watches, but the experience you’re going to get out of each will be very different. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to how you use your watch every day.

There’s a lot to like about both of these watches, both of which quite honestly stand as the best you can buy today. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch does a great job lasting multiple days, offering substantial health and fitness tracking features, and it actually looks like a watch on your wrist. But it’s also thicker and heavier than the Apple Watch by quite a bit, so much so that this watch doesn’t always fit comfortably under a nice shirt when you’d want it to.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch looks and feels like an elegant piece of machinery on your wrist. It’s not round, but it’s highly functional. And whether you’re trying to get a couple of extra eggs hatched in Pokemon Go or you’re training for a Century ride, there are highly focused apps on the watch for you to use to reach those goals. But those fitness features and slender design cost quite a bit in battery life, making it so you have to charge it every night if you want a full day of use tomorrow.

You can force the Apple Watch to last two days if you really try, and you can force your behaviors around the Samsung-only apps for tracking health and fitness, but it’s clear these experiences are for very specific kinds of users. Once you know which one you are, the choice between these two watches becomes quite clear.

Preparing for the future

While these two watches offer particularly similar feature footprints right now, it’s important to note Apple’s plans for the Series 4 Watch in the future plan to increase that feature set dramatically. While technically available right now, a new Walkie Talkie feature on the Apple Watch is extremely limited. In the future, Apple envisions users being able to quickly chat with friends over brief audio messages. This is a quality evolution over sending voice messages via iMessage, especially since it can be quickly started and used exclusively through the Watch. It requires everyone you know to have an Apple Watch, obviously, but that could easily become worth it if this feature gains in popularity.

The Apple Watch is a great smartwatch and an even better fitness tracker, but the Galaxy Watch has a nicer design and more intuitive controls.

Something that is not speculative is the soon to be active ECG feature on every Apple Watch Series 4. This feature allows users to create a basic ECG readout from your body, giving you a simple idea of how your heart is performing. This feature isn’t expected to replace actual ECGs in an actual doctor’s office, but like the heart-rate monitor can offer early detection of potentially serious medical issues. Apple’s efforts in capturing a total picture of your health and encouraging you to see a professional when your readings appear unusual is commendable, and as long as these features are treated as accessories to actual medical professionals these are quality features which benefit everyone who wears an Apple Watch.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch is very much an as-is product. Aside from software and security updates, Samsung is unlikely to add any features which radically alter how you use the Watch over time. It’s not impossible, but not particularly likely given Samsung’s history and the current state of the Tizen OS running on the Watch.

Samsung Galaxy Watch

Everything you need

$349 at Amazon

A stylish watch with days of battery life and tons of clever features.

Samsung made a Watch it thinks offers a little something for everyone. And as long as you don’t mind large watches, that is true.

Apple Watch

Polished Excellence

The most health-focused Apple Watch ever designed.

$429 at Apple

Apple’s polished wearable has taken a firm turn toward health features and usability, and as long as you own an iPhone the experience is great. As long as you’re ok with a single day of battery, this is a great experience.

Save up to 35% on Anker’s popular Bluetooth headphones and speakers today

Hear the savings?!

As part of its daily deals, Amazon has some of Anker’s popular Bluetooth headphones and speakers on sale for up to 35% off. Today’s price drops bring them down to the lowest prices they’ve sold for. First up is Anker’s Soundcore Spirit in-ear sports earbuds which are down to $29.99, which is a $10 savings. They are fully sweat-proof, have a cable slip to keep the extra wiring off your neck while using them, and offer 8 hours of battery life per charge.

Next up is Anker’s Soundcore Vortex wireless on-ear headphones with 40mm drivers, up to 20 hours of battery per charge, and more. They are down to $44.99 and have sold for as much as $70 in the past. They fold up and can be easily transported in the included carrying case to prevent damages while on-the-go.

Finally, Anker’s Soundcore Flare Bluetooth speaker is down to $44.98 from its everyday price of $70. It has 360-degree sound, bass up technology to bring out the lows in your music, a beat-driven LED on the bottom that has various themes, and much more. It is waterproof, and if you buy two of them you can connect them as a stereo pair.

All of these prices are good for today only, so don’t miss out.

See at Amazon

UK Deal: Kick start your smart home with a £67 Philips Hue Starter Kit

Two different bulb fittings available.

Amazon UK has reduced the price of Philips Hue Mini Starter Kits to just £67.49 — a new all-time low. Just a couple of months ago, the going rate for these kits was £134.99 so this marks a significant reduction in price. Even in recent weeks, they have been average about £100.

Each starter kit includes 2 White and Colour Ambience bulbs as well as the Philips Hue Bridge. The Bridge itself usually sells for around £50, so getting two bulbs thrown in for less than £20 is a great deal, especially when you consider that each bulb is usually around £50, too!

Mini Starter Kits available:

• Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance Mini Starter Kit, E27, 10 W
• Philips Hue White and Colour Ambiance Mini Starter Kit, B22, 10 W

If the bulbs on offer do not fit your current set up, you could always invest in some light fitting adapters to make it work for your home.

For more UK deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter UK, sign up for the UK newsletter and follow the team on Twitter.

See at Amazon UK

iPhone XS and XS Max Survive Liquid Dunk, but Shatter Immediately in Drop Test

Following new iPhone releases, the devices are always subjected to a range of durability tests, and the iPhone XS and XS Max are no exception. Over the weekend, warranty company SquareTrade conducted several tests on the two new smartphones, checking Apple’s claims of IP68 water resistance and more durable glass.

According to Apple, the iPhone XS and XS Max are using “the most durable glass ever in a smartphone” and have improved IP68 water resistance, meaning they can withstand water up to two meters deep for approximately 30 minutes.

In SquareTrade’s tests, the two iPhones stood up well to liquids, but the more durable glass didn’t prevent them from shattering when dropped.

It only took a single back down drop test from a six foot range onto a hard surface for the iPhone XS to shatter entirely, resulting in broken, loose glass across the back of the device. Like the iPhone X, the iPhone XS and XS Max feature glass on the front and back to enable wireless charging.

The result was the same for the iPhone XS Max, with back glass of the smartphone shattering after being dropped from a six-foot height. The stainless steel frames Apple uses for the iPhone XS and XS Max protected the two devices during a side drop test, but the face down drop test also resulted in breakage.

When dropped face down, the iPhone XS suffered a shattered and malfunctioning display, while the iPhone XS Max was impacted with hairline cracks and loose glass but still had a usable display.

After a 60 second tumble test, both the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max were covered in hairline cracks, scratches, and featured loose glass after the damage, and in a pressure-based bend test, the iPhone XS cracked at 250 pounds and the screen failed entirely.

SquareTrade also tested the water resistance of the iPhone XS and the iPhone XS Max in a novel way, using a 5-foot 30 minute dunk test in a tank filled with 138 cans of beer. Beer was the liquid of choice for the test because Apple mentioned beer resistance during the keynote when the two devices were announced.

Both the iPhone XS and XS Max survived the extended beer bath and were entirely operational afterwards, confirming Apple’s water resistance claims.

SquareTrade assigned each iPhone a “Breakability Score” taking into account performance on each of the tests, as broken down in the image below. iPhone XS earned a Breakability Score of 86, classified as “high risk,” while iPhone XS Max earned a Breakability Score of 70, classified as “medium risk.”

All in all, SquareTrade believes the iPhone XS and XS Max are stronger than the iPhone X, but are still prone to breaking easily given that both devices shattered on the first drop during the drop test.

“We were super impressed with the iPhone XS Max, which is much stronger than its discontinued predecessor, the iPhone X. However, as with the iPhone X, our tests show the all-glass design of the iPhone XS and XS Max make them highly susceptible to cracking, particularly from drops, the most common cause of damage, said Jason Siciliano, vice president global creative director at SquareTrade.

“Repair costs for the new iPhones are expected to be around $399 to replace a front screen and $599 to replace a shattered back. Considering $599 was the cost of the most expensive version of the very first iPhone, repair costs are now something to consider when buying a new iPhone. They’re beautiful phones. Just hang on tight.”

As with the iPhone X, non-warranty repairs for Apple’s all-glass devices are expensive. Without AppleCare+, getting the screen replaced on the iPhone XS costs $279, while a screen repair for the iPhone XS Max costs $329.

Damage to the back of the device falls under the “Other repairs” category, which costs $549 for the iPhone XS and $599 for the iPhone XS Max, making AppleCare+ or a sturdy case a good idea.

Related Roundup: iPhone XS
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Report Claims Apple’s Original Programming Efforts Will Avoid Mature Content

Apple is unlikely to produce original content that contains gratuitous sex, violence, profanity, or risqué storylines, according to a report published over the weekend by the Wall Street Journal.

The article cites several sources familiar with Apple’s original programming plans who say Apple wants to avoid putting its name to anything that could risk tainting its wider brand image.

It also relates CEO Tim Cook’s alleged reaction to watching Apple’s first scripted drama, “Vital Signs,” a semi-autobiographical tale of hip hop artist Dr Dre.

According to the paper’s sources, Cook previewed the show and was “troubled” by scenes depicting drawn guns, sex and drug use, and reportedly told Apple Music executive Jimmy Iovine that Apple couldn’t show it.

Across Hollywood and inside Apple, the show has become emblematic of the challenges faced by the technology giant as it pushes into entertainment. Apple earmarked $1 billion for Hollywood programming last year. But in the tone CEO Mr. Cook has set for it, whatever Apple produces mustn’t taint a pristine brand image that has helped the company collect 80% of the profits in the global smartphone market.

Apple’s entertainment team must walk a line few in Hollywood would consider. Since Mr. Cook spiked “Vital Signs,” Apple has made clear, say producers and agents, that it wants high-quality shows with stars and broad appeal, but it doesn’t want gratuitous sex, profanity or violence.

Apple’s approach is in direct contrast to that of other streaming platforms, which have found great success in producing edgy content like HBO’s “Game of Thrones” and Netflix’s “House of Cards.” However, Apple apparently feels it has more to lose if viewers are offended by its entertainment offering.

“As a consumer-product company, Apple is especially exposed if content strikes a sour note,” said Preston Beckman, a former NBC and Fox programming executive who spoke to WSJ. “For Netflix, the only risk is that people don’t subscribe. With Apple, you can say, ‘I’m going to punish them by not buying their phone or computer.’”

Apple has hired former Sony Pictures TV executives Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg to head up the company’s broader push into original video programming. Erlicht and Van Amburg have helped produce shows like “Better Call Saul,” “The Crown,” “Sneaky Pete,” and more.

According to the report, Van Amburg and Erlicht have successfully pushed some edgier shows, including a series made by M. Night Shyamalan about a couple who lose a young child. However, Apple executives reportedly pushed for changes in the show because they didn’t want content to venture into religious subjects or politics.

Similar concerns over keeping content “safe” have reportedly contributed to delays in Apple’s original content streaming, which has been postponed twice and is now expected to launch in March 2019. However, one leading producer with projects at Apple expects the date to be pushed back yet further, according to the latest report.

Apple is known to have invested in at least 12 television shows so far. They include a new animated TV series called “Central Park” and an untitled morning show drama starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. According to WSJ, however, the latter is delayed because of scheduling issues with Witherspoon.

Apple’s original TV shows are expected to be distributed through a new video streaming service, which could also be bundled with an Apple Music subscription and a digital magazine and news subscription.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 12Tag: Apple’s Hollywood ambitionsBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)
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Robo-dogs: Roll over, SpotMini — here comes ALMA

Roll over, SpotMini — there’s a new robo-dog in the ‘hood and it’s snapping at your heels.

Created by Swiss-based Robotic Systems Lab, ALMA, which stands for articulated locomotion and manipulation, is a quadrupedal robot just like Boston Dynamics’ SpotMini. And, in another SpotMini similarity, comes with a mechanical arm capable of performing a range of “manipulation tasks,” Cnet reports.

A recently posted video shows autonomous ALMA opening a door with relative ease, a vital maneuver if the bots are ever going to rise up and cause havoc for us humans. Watch as ALMA’s slightly scary-looking extendable appendage, complete with its three-pronged “hand,” reaches up to the door handle, grips it, turns to open it, and walks on through.

The video also shows ALMA holding a glass of water without spilling it, and helping a human to lift a box.

The skill with which it handles these different tasks point to a number of possible applications. For example, placing ALMA at airport customs — together with a latex glove dangling from its middle prong and a sign saying “this won’t take a moment” — would surely be enough to discourage even the most determined of smugglers from bringing illegal items into the country.

Joking aside, it seems the team behind ALMA are keen to give it a friendly face, perhaps to encourage more people to take an interest in its four-legged robot. This is demonstrated in particular by the video clip showing ALMA helping to clear trash from around some small bushes. Hardly the harbinger of doom for those fearing the robot takeover, eh.

We see ALMA identifying a plastic bottle, picking it up with its robotic hand, and dropping it into a nearby trash can. With more development, the team hopes its creation can be used in disaster areas, surveying difficult-to-access areas, and carrying vital supplies to those in need. It could also be used in work settings to perform routine tasks, freeing up time for humans to focus on more important duties.

Boston Dynamics also has plans to commercialize its own very impressive SpotMini robo-dog, with the first ones set to go on sale in 2019. The cost, however, is yet to be revealed.

Fancy finding out more about robo-dogs? Then check out this awesome piece tracing the evolution of Boston Dynamcs’ four-legged robotic creations.

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• MIT’s Cheetah 3 robot doesn’t need sight to navigate stairs

A Japanese spacecraft just landed two rovers on an asteroid

In a remarkable feat of scientific endeavor, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has successfully landed two small rovers on the surface of an asteroid hundreds of millions of miles from Earth.

“Both rovers … are in good condition,” Japan’s space agency tweeted on Saturday.

We are sorry we have kept you waiting! MINERVA-II1 consists of two rovers, 1a & 1b. Both rovers are confirmed to have landed on the surface of Ryugu. They are in good condition and have transmitted photos & data. We also confirmed they are moving on the surface. #asteroidlanding

— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) September 22, 2018

The rovers were carried aboard the Hayabusa 2 probe, which reached the Ryugu asteroid in June. It’s been staying close to the space rock since then, conducting exploratory activities and surveying the asteroid for sample collection prior to the weekend’s rover deployment.

Leaving Earth in 2014, Hayabusa 2 took 42 months to reach its target some 200 million miles away.

The ambitious mission took a big step forward over the weekend as Hayabusa 2 descended to within about 60 meters of the 900-meter-wide asteroid before sending down Rover-1A and Rover-1B inside the Minerva-II-1 lander. The two rovers wasted little time in capturing close-up images of their surroundings, as well as performing tasks such as taking temperature readings of the rock’s surface.

During the mission, the rovers will also conduct studies of Ryugu’s composition, which could give scientists new insight into the development of Earth and other planets in our solar system.

This dynamic photo was captured by Rover-1A on September 22 at around 11:44 JST. It was taken on Ryugu’s surface during a hop. The left-half is the surface of Ryugu, while the white region on the right is due to sunlight. (Hayabusa2 Project) pic.twitter.com/IQLsFd4gJu

— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) September 22, 2018

The two rovers are cylindrical in shape and rather small — just 7 cm tall with a diameter of 18 cm. Unlike the vehicles on Mars, these ones don’t have wheels. With the asteroid possessing low gravity, “hopping” provides a more efficient way of getting around, so scientists fit each rover with motor-powered internal rotors to enable such movement.

The Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout (MASCOT) will also be sent to explore the asteroid in the coming weeks. Developed by the German Aerospace Center and the French space agency CNES, MASCOT measures 29.5 cm × 27.5 cm × 19.5 cm. When it lands on the space rock in October, MASCOT will spend time examining its surface structure and magnetic properties, among other things.

Finally, there’s the Rover-2, developed by a group of universities led by Japan’s Tohoku University. Planned for deployment in 2019, the rover one has an octagonal prism shape, a height of 16 cm, and a diameter of 15 cm. The Rover-2 incorporates several cameras as well as optical and ultraviolet LEDs for illumination that’ll help it detect floating dust particles.

Scientists are now gearing up for a crucial part of the mission involving the collection of particle samples from Ryugu to bring back to Earth. If all goes well, the tricky task will take place next month and involves Hayabusa 2 moving close to the asteroid before firing what can be loosely described as a 2-kg “bullet” into the rock. This will help Hayabusa-2 to gather rock samples that haven’t been directly exposed to the environment of space, providing “fresh” material for scientists to study.

Hayabusa 2’s mission will run through December 2019, so the collection of samples won’t reach Earth until the end of 2020. But once it’s here, scientists will be eager to analyze the samples as they seek to unlock some of the enduring mysteries of our solar system.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Jisoncase iPhone X Separated Wallet Folio Microfiber Leather Case Review

Regardless of whether you’re carrying your iPhone in your pocket or in your bag, there is always the possibility it’s taking up a great deal of space. And so you might want to consider buying a case for your iPhone and wallet to get rid of that space consumption. But getting the best pick of microfiber leather case from the sea of options available isn’t something that easy. Luckily, we have you covered.

Putting all the iPhone X wallet cases out there to a test, Jisoncase iPhone X Separated Wallet Folio Microfiber Leather Case came on top of the list. Here’s our rundown on the product and what we found out about it:

Source: https://www.jisoncase.com

But before we dive into the review, you might like to have brief background information about Jisoncase.

Can wait to have a look at the Jisoncase iPhone X Separated Wallet Folio Microfiber Leather Case, Check It Out Here Now!

About Jisoncase Company

Jisoncase’s history dates back to 2001 when it was founded with the sole objective of creating products meant to preserve the technology that is essential to our lives.  The company has done a lot in the area of promoting and supporting individual’s interests, professions and passions.  Their belief is in creating products that offers simplicity, intuitive functionality and enhanced user experience.

Jisoncase’s offices are located in Los Angeles and Guangzhou. You can find out more about Jisoncase’s design standards, products and passions here!

Product Description

When protecting your iPhone and wallet becomes an important thing to do, getting the right leather case is the first thing that comes to your mind. Jisoncase 2-in-1 Wallet Folio Microfiber Leather Case for iPhone  X/XS is an easy to use, flip-style opening and very slim case that absorbs with the strong magnetic in your wallet. While you can separate the slim case apart from the cover, the case folds easily horizontally to allow exciting and stress-free viewing experience from any watching angle (without poking your neck around).  The case offers you full protection of your phone with 3 different slots for cards and one compartment for holding your cash.

Source: https://www.jisoncase.com

Key Features of Jisoncase Wallet Folio Microfiber Leather Case for iPhone X

• Elegant and slim design: This product is perfectly designed to fit your iPhone X/XS
• Easily foldable: This allows your phone to be folded easily and supported horizontally thereby allowing for comfortable viewing from any angle without stressing your neck.
• 2-in-1 Pockets: The product comes with 3 slots and 1 compartment for holding cash
• Durable Material: It’s made of microfiber leather which makes it strong to stand the test of time.
• Easy to Operate: The simple design makes it quite easy use.
• REID Blocking Material: Prevents personal card information from STEALING.
• FREE SHIPPING ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Source: https://www.jisoncase.com

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a simple and stunning wallet case that fits your iPhone we are more than convinced this might be the best pick for you. From all ramifications, you can’t go wrong if you choose to go for this case as it offers a lot of promising features and value for the price.

Considering the slim design (making it portable in your pocket), the 3 slots and 1 compartment for holding cash and ease of folding horizontally to support the device for comfortable viewing from all angles, Jisoncase offers just all you’ll ever need in a wallet leather case for your iPhone.

Are you using wallet case for your iPhone already? What do you feel having your phone in this kind of case?

Please, share your experience with us.

New mask-mounted HUD gives Navy combat divers tactical advantage

The U.S. Navy is working on a new head-up display (HUD) that will provide combat divers with better underwater navigation while keeping their hands free to do other tasks.

While those who dive for recreational reasons often confine themselves to parts of the ocean that have high levels of visibility, Navy divers have no such luxury. They are often forced to work in conditions where the water is too dark to see wrist-mounted equipment even with the aid of external lights.

The Shadow NAV, developed by James Fisher and Sons alongside the Smart Ship System Design (S3D) team of the U.S. Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) aims to solve that problem. The device is mounted onto a diver’s standard headgear, and provides information such as compass headings, the diver’s depth, and other vital data. The hope is that the Shadow NAV will reduce the amount of equipment divers need to take on missions, and provide a way for them to navigate in conditions with poor or no light.

James Fisher and Sons

“To address these challenges for potentially dangerous underwater combat missions, the expert technical team S3D at the NSWC PCD (Panama City Division) worked to develop a small, low-cost, low-power enhanced navigation capability to significantly improve safety standards for military divers, and give them the best possible chance of successfully completing their missions,” James Fisher and Sons’ Danny Gray said in a press release.

In terms of battery life, the Shadow Nav’s spec sheet says that it should work for more than 20 hours between charges.

While the Shadow Nav was developed alongside the U.S. military, other divers will likely be able to make use of the device as well. James Fisher and Sons have said that they plan to release the hardware to divers across the world. In addition to the obvious military applications, this could be helpful for salvage operations or any other situation where divers need to work in low-light conditions.

One question that the press release does not answer is when the Shadow NAV will be available. While the press release does say that James Fisher and Sons plans to bring the device to “commercial fruition” so that “the global diving industry, military and non-military, can conduct safe and efficient operations,” they do not provide a timetable for this launch.

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Apple Watch Series 4 Fall Detection Feature is Off by Default Unless You’re 65+

Apple Watch Series 4 has a new feature called Fall Detection, which uses the new next-generation gyroscope and accelerometer to detect a fall and provide options to contact emergency services if necessary.

As it turns out, Fall Detection is disabled for most users and will need to be manually enabled. In an Apple support document found by a Reddit user, Apple explains that Fall Detection only turns on automatically if you’ve set your age on Apple Watch or in the Health app and you’re over 65 years old.

If you are not over age 65 and want to use Fall Detection, it will need to be enabled in the Emergency SOS section of the Apple Watch app.

Apple’s support document also explains other aspects of the Fall Detection feature. When the Apple Watch Series 4 detects a “significant, hard fall” with Fall Detection enabled, it taps you on the wrist, sounds an alarm, and displays an alert.

From the options that display on the screen, you can select either “I fell but I’m OK,” “I did not fall,” or “Emergency SOS” to contact emergency services.

If the Apple Watch detects that you’re moving, it will wait for a response, but if you’re immobile for about a minute, it will begin a 15-second countdown before automatically calling emergency services and alerting emergency contacts that are set up in Medical ID in the Health app on iPhone.

Fall Detection in the Series 4 was tested over the weekend by multiple YouTube channels to see how the feature works and how hard of a fall is necessary to cause an alert.

Test falls onto softer surfaces like foam or carpet didn’t seem to trigger the Fall Detection feature, but harder falls onto less forgiving surfaces did appear to work better. YouTube testers were not able to get the feature to trigger with each and every fall, suggesting there’s some margin of error, which users should be aware of.

Apple says it gathered data from thousands of people over a period of time to create the Fall Detection algorithms, which are able to test both forward facing falls with wrists out and backward facing slips with wrists up.

Apple does warn in its support document that the Apple Watch Series 4 won’t detect all falls, and also says that false positives are possible. “The more physically active you are, the more likely you are to trigger fall detection due to high impact activity that can appear to be a fall,” reads the document.

Given the possibility of false positives for active adults, most people will likely want to leave this feature disabled, but it’s a good idea to know how to turn it on if you may need it.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 5Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
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