If you’re an Apple watch fan (which, let’s admit it, all of us are) then let me know how you manage to unsee your activity rings. Because like it or not, the watch lets you know that you’ve been on the couch way too long and at this point, you’re probably growing roots into it. I begrudgingly got on the Apple watch bandwagon, trying to stay away from it for as long as I could. I didn’t do a good job of it, clearly, because I am charging it regularly making sure I am ready for the every day. And that green ring is the reason I am getting so many steps in. One of the highlights of my day is watching the workout ring close in flurry of light. Fine, maybe I don’t live such an exciting life but hey, at least I am walking my way to being a fitter person. It also helps that I see my watch as an accessory, like an extension of myself- it goes with a saree and with shorts. I mean, what’s not to love?
So when Radhika Apte, a fellow user and avid fan, got chatting about Apple Watch’s latest version- the Apple Watch Ultra- calling it ‘simply stunning’, I knew what she was talking about.
Radhika Apte On The Apple Watch Ultra
“I call the Apple Watch Ultra ‘simply stunning’. It’s so easy to use and such a beauty on your wrist. The titanium body makes it rugged and anti-corrosive. What I find most intriguing is that the display is made of sapphire crystal making it super strong. My favourite feature is the new Action button which I can quickly toggle and customise before I begin a workout, mark a compass waypoint or start a dive. What I love most about the Action button is the seamless control that it offers just at the tip of my fingers.The Action button on my watch is currently set for a run. The compass waypoint for me is most useful as I live near a forest in London and love to cycle and run without planning the route. When I go diving in May next year, I will change it to a dive.”
Diving
Radhika is most comfortable under the sea. She says, “Diving is my passion. Before the pandemic, I took up any and every opportunity to go for a dive. And I plan to resume my hobby in the coming year. Some of my best dives have been in the Galapagos and the Red Sea. I will resume next year by going to Komodo. And I am taking the Apple Watch with me because it now has a depth gauge. This is super helpful when I embark on a dive. It gives me crucial depth data and time, water temperature and duration under water. This is for descents down to 40 metres. And what’s really cool is that all of this activates automatically when you submerge, there is no need to manually do anything.
Hey all you aspiring snorkelers and scuba divers – the ocean is calling you! It’s never been so easy before. Just strap on your Apple Watch Ultra and follow your passions!”
Running
“I like running and so it’s exciting to know that I can now learn more about the intensity of my workout through the Heart Rate Zones. I have had injuries before from running and I have since been trying to work on my steps, refine my posture while I run. And what’s really cool with the new watchOS 9 is that I can create custom run workouts with ‘work’ and ‘recovery’ intervals. And my favourite feature is that I can race against my best or last run! I am truly my biggest critique, cheerleader and competitor!
I am off to London tomorrow and we have our annual family camping trek planned next month. I cannot wait to use the Compass Waypoint at my location or try the BackTrack. It’s assuring to know that if I ever get lost or injured all I have to do is hold the Action button and activate a siren that can be heard up to 600 feet away! This is truly a game changer! Especially when I do solo treks- this feature can be a life saver.
Being a champion for women, I think what’s most exciting in the new generation of Apple Watch is the Temperature Sensing and advanced Cycle Tracking. The temperature sensor offers insights for women’s health and one can receive retrospective ovulation estimates for family planning.”
Crash Detection
“The Crash Detection feature also caught my eye. God forbid, if anyone happens to be in an accident and is unresponsive for ten seconds, the Apple Watch automatically dials the emergency services with their location and also shares the same with their emergency contacts. I am constantly travelling at least between two continents, if not more. I am very happy that my Apple Watch will offer mental peace to my family to know that I’m safe.”
When I am on the second day of a backpacking trip in the Himalayas or when I am diving next to a gorgeous colony of clownfish in Indonesia, the last thing I want to think about is running out of battery! But with the Apple Watch Ultra I am thrilled to know that my battery can last up to 36 hours of normal use and in a low power setting it can last up to 60 hours!
A huge shoutout to the Apple Watch Ultra straps. Of course, my favourite is the Ocean band. It’s lightweight and the adjustable loop snugly binds my wrist. It’s awesome even for high speed water sports and I can use an extension and wear it over my wetsuit I love that my strap is a shade of the ocean.”
