Tag Archives: AppleWatch

Episode 289, An Update on Blood Oxygen for Apple Watch in the U.S.

August 19, 2025Apple, Apple Health, Emergency SOS, health, iPhoneAlaska, Anchorage, Apple, AppleWatch, Blood Oxygen, Fitness, Health, iPhone, MacMinutes, medical, technologymacminutes

In this episode, we will discuss a quick update to Apple’s recent introduction of a redesigned Blood Oxygen for Apple Watch in the U.S.

**Screenshot of the Apple Watch taking a Blood Oxygen reading.**

**Screenshot of the redesigned Blood Oxygen feature on the Apple Watch and how to take a measurement.**

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Episode 285, watchOS 26 delivers more personalized and productive ways to stay active, healthy, and connected

June 21, 2025Apple, Apple Health, Apple Music, Apple Music, Apple Watch, fitness, Fitness+, health, Technology, UncategorizedApple, Apple Music, AppleWatch, Fitness, Health, MacMinutes, medical, Messages, Stacls, technology, watchOS 26macminutes

In this episode, we will discuss watchOS 26 delivers more productive and personal ways to stay active, healthy, and connected. A new software design makes using Apple Watch even more helpful, Workout Buddy brings a first-of-its-kind workout experience with Apple Intelligence, and the Smart Stack and Messages are more intelligent. We will cover these new features and a lot more.

**watchOS 26 offers a new look and even more intelligence for a more personalized experience.**

**A new software design enables a vibrant and expressive experience that reflects and refracts content using real-time rendering, which brings even more focus to content.**

The Workout app debuts the biggest update to its layout and navigation since its introduction, with four new buttons in the corners that make it easier for users to access their favorite features to customize workouts.

Apple Music can now select the best playlist for a user’s workout based on the workout type and their personal tastes. Alternatively, users can see suggestions for playlists or podcasts based on what they’ve recently listened to during that particular workout type.

Smart Stack hints offer a proactive prompt for actionable suggestions that are immediately useful. For example, a hint for Backtrack may appear when a user is in a remote location with no connectivity.

**Apple Watch now supports Live Translation in Messages with Apple Intelligence, allowing incoming texts to be automatically translated into a user’s preferred language.**

Notifications are now even easier to manage with a simple wrist flick gesture. When a user raises their wrist to check a notification but isn’t ready to respond, they can quickly turn their wrist over and back to dismiss the notification.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Episode 280, Apple celebrates Earth Day on April 22 with Limited-Edition Activity Award

April 19, 2025Activity Awards, Apple, Apple Event, Apple Health, Apple Watch, Earth Day, fitness, Fitness+, health, heart health, Uncategorized2025 Earth Day, 2025 Fitness Activity Award, Apple Watch, AppleWatch, Environment, Fitness, Health, MacMinutes, medical, technology, World Environment Daymacminutes

In this episode, we will discuss an Earth Day and the several ways you can learn and take part in Apple’s celebration of the special day, Tuesday, April 22, including a special fitness Limited-Editon Activity Award.

**On April 22, Apple Watch users can earn an Earth Day limited-edition award by completing any workout of 30 minutes or more, encouraging them to get outside and stay active.**

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Episode 279, Get Active with Apple Watch and earn your Global Close Your Rings award on April 24

April 17, 2025Activity Awards, Apple, Apple Watch, fitness, Fitness+, health, heart health, Technology, UncategorizedAlaska, Apple, Apple Fitness Awards, Apple Watch, AppleWatch, Close Your Rings Day, Fitness, Health, heart disease, MacMinutes, technologymacminutes

In this episode, we will discuss an event on April 24 for Apple Watch users to close their Activity rings and earn a special Global Close Your Rings Day limited-edition award. Learn more about how you can earn this special award.

The Activity app on Apple Watch encourages users to close their three Activity rings — Move, Exercise, and Stand — by hitting personal daily goals for active calories burned, minutes of brisk activity completed, and number of hours when they stand up for at least a minute.

**The Workout app on Apple Watch allows users to track a wide range of workouts, including Outdoor Run, Indoor Cycle, Outdoor Push, Yoga, and many more.**

**The Vitals app gives Apple Watch users a way to quickly view these key health metrics and gain better context when it comes to their health.**

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Episode 273, Celebrate Heart Health Month by earning an Activity Award on Valentine’s Day

February 5, 2025Apple Health, cardiology, fitness, Fitness+, health, heart health, Technology2025 Heart Health Activity Award, Alaska, Anchorage, Apple, Apple Fitness Award, AppleWatch, Fitness, Health, heart disease, iPhone, MacMinutes, medical, technologymacminutes

In this episode, we will discuss how Apple is celebrating Heart Health Month. We wanted to get this out so Apple and fitness enthusiasts can plan ahead. Let’s go to the show for this quick update.

**2025 Heart Health Month Activity Award available on Friday, February 14.**

**Sticker Pack available for those who complete their exercise ring on Valentine’s Day.**

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Episode 218, Steve Jobs Archive releases ‘Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in his own words’; Two Apple Activity Fitness Award events announced

April 13, 2023Activity Awards, Apple, Earth Day, fitness, health, medical, Technology, Uncategorized2023 Earth Day, 2023 International Dance Day, Alaska, Anchorage, Apple, Apple Fitness Award, AppleWatch, Fitness, Health, MacMinutes, Steve Jobs, technologymacminutes

In this episode, we will discuss the release of a remarkable book titled Make Something Wonderful—subtitled Steve Jobs in his own words was released Tuesday, April 11. In the second half of the podcast we will look at Apple’s announcements of Apple Watch Fitness Activity challenges for Earth Day and International Dance Day coming soon.

**The collection of Steve’s speeches, interviews, and emails is available to read for free on the https://stevejobsarchive.com website (Graphic courtesy of Steve Jobs Archive)**

The Earth Day Fitness Challenge requires you to do any workout for 30 minutes or more on Saturday, April 22, and record your activity within the Workout watchOS app or any other app that adds workouts to the Health iOS app.

**Earn this award by recording a Dance workout of 20 minutes or more on International Dance Day, Saturday, April 29. Record it with the Workout app or any app that adds workouts to Health.**

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Episode 207, Learn to Return: Apple Watch Compass to find your way and using the Backtrack feature to get back

January 14, 2023Apple, Apple Maps, Apple Watch, AT&T, Compass, fitness, safety, Technology, UncategorizedAlaska, Apple, Apple Watch, AppleWatch, AppleWatch Tips, Backtrack, MacMinutes, technologymacminutes

In this episode, we know many people got new Apple Watches over the holidays and we will delve deeper into one of the new Compass Application features which will work in the city or in remote areas. In Alaska and other remote areas, this feature can be a lifesaver. In the city, it can be a convenience, so you don’t waste valuable time or having to call for a ride.

Your bearing is shown at the center of the watch face. Rotate the Digital Crown to see your incline, elevation, and coordinates in the inner ring of the compass. Continue scrolling to show the location of waypoints you created.

To add or edit a bearing, select the menu icon List icon then scroll to and select Bearing. Adjust the Bearing by rotating the Digital Crown, then select Done.

You can use the Compass app to track your route and then help you retrace your steps in case you get lost. To use, from the Compass screen, select the Backtrack icon. Select Start to begin recording your route.

**The location where you first selected the Backtrack icon appears on the compass. Follow the path back to return to where you first turned on Backtrack.**

**When you’re finished, select the Backtrack icon again then select Delete Steps.**

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Episode 206, Apple Fitness+ unveils new offerings; Apple Fitness Activity Award challenge continues

January 10, 2023Activity Awards, Apple, Apple Watch, fitness, Fitness+, Sports, Technology, UncategorizedAlaska, Anchorage, Apple, Apple Fitness Award, AppleWatch, Fitness, Health, kickboxing, MacMinutes, technology, Walkingmacminutes

In this episode, we will discuss Apple’s recent announcement that Fitness+ has multiple new offerings for the 2023 along with the opportunity to be working towards earning the “Ring in the New Year” activity badge.

**Fitness+ introduces two new Collections this month: 6 Weeks to Restart Your Fitness and Level Up Your Core Training.**

**Jenn Lau joins the Fitness+ team to lead Strength workouts, and Brian Cochrane joins to lead HIIT.**

**Award-winning actor, producer, and activist Jamie Lee Curtis kicks off the fifth season of Time to Walk.**

**A brand-new Meditation theme, Sleep, joins the Meditation library, and Fitness+ will also add a new program, Introduction to Meditations for Sleep, to help users get started.**

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Episode 189, KardiaCare now works with Apple Watch EKGs improving heart healthcare

August 12, 2022Apple Watch, cardiology, fitness, health, heart health, medical, safety, Technology, UncategorizedAlaska, Alaska Heart Institute, Anchorage, Apple, AppleWatch, ECG, EKG, Health, heart disease, iPhone, MacMinutes, medical, technologymacminutes

In this episode, we will discuss the announcement this week Kardia has expanded KardiaCare benefits to Apple Watch users. Let’s go to the show and learn more. Now you can sync your Apple Health data with Kardia and get access to exclusive features like cardiologist EKG reviews, summary reports, and more.

Advanced Determinations uses Kardia devices to detect six of the most common arrhythmias with access to our advanced algorithm that analyzes your EKG with their most accurate technology. More information about Kardia Care is available from **Alive-Cor.**

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More

Episode 188, Turning the Apple device you have into the one you want; Apple and Major League Baseball announce September ‘Friday Night Baseball’ double-header schedule

August 5, 2022AppleTV+, Sports, Uncategorized2022 Apple Event, Anchorage, Apple, AppleWatch, AppleWatch 8, iOS 16, IPhone 14, MacMinutes, Major League Baseball, MLB, technologymacminutes

In this episode, we will discuss Apple’s Trade-In Program and the announcement this week of the Apple TV Major League Baseball, or MLB, schedule for September’s “Friday Night Baseball” games. Check below or the Mac Minutes Podcast site for links to device values and the MLB broadcasting schedule.

It’s easy to trade in your eligible device for credit toward your next purchase, or get an Apple Gift Card you can use anytime.Footnote 1 If your device isn’t eligible for credit, we’ll recycle it for free. No matter the model or condition, we can turn it into something good for you and good for the planet. You can check the value at this Apple website.

**Scheduled “Friday Night Baseball” games are available to watch for free, only on Apple TV+ You can check the schedule for September at this Apple website**.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS | More