But after 4,500 miles, I now want more from the wrist computer.
Over the last couple of years, there have been steady and meaningful developments for health and fitness trackers.
Why is it not more proactive about the information its providing?
Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek
Even on an opt-in basis.
Apple, I Need Rest
Theres always a catalyst when re-assessing a products usefulness.
For me, that point has shown itself to be the lack of rest days in Apple Fitness.
Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek
I took up running organically and in isolation, so I had no formal training to guide me.
I had time to run daily during Covid lockdowns, so I did.
I pushed myself plenty of times to go on a run and terminate the exercise ring.
Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek
After some time, it became apparent to me that I was overly fatigued.
Right now, the Apple Watch doesn’t acknowledge the concept of a rest day.
If you miss a day, a streak is broken.
That even applies to having a streak broken because of illness.
Am I Ready to Exercise, and if So, How Much?
Apple could introduce generic rest days, that it blankly recommends every so often.
It could retroactively forgive missed days if you report being sick.
FitbitandOura, among others, have this idea of a readiness score.
I want my Apple Watch to do this, too.
The data is there.
Neither Oura nor Fitbit give away their readiness scores.
Both companies put that information behind subscription services.
If Apple feels the need to do the same, it already hasFitness+that it’s probably underutilizing.
First, it needs more practical outlets for the data the watch sensors already collect.
I was even wearing AirPods most days.
Siri could have even asked quickly in my ear.
I hope Apple keeps investing in sensors, too.
This year, theGoogle Pixel Watch 2introduced stress monitoring.
Thats absolutely a feature I want my Apple Watch to have.
For example, What time should I go to bed?
What bang out of food or portion sizes should I have at dinner?
Based on my daily schedule, when should I go for my run?
It shouldn’t just monitor my steps, calories, and sleep.
It should offer suggestions based on that information.
It helps with falls and in times of other emergencies.
