Apple’s health monitoring features, ECG and Irregular heart rhythm notifications, are now available in Saudi Arabia with the release of watchOS 6.2.5. The update also has new Pride Watch faces to celebrate the Pride month commencing in June.
watchOS 6.2.5 with ECG for Saudi Arabia and new Pride Watch Faces
In the latest watchOS 6.2.5 update, Saudi Arabia was added to the list of countries where Apple’s digital heart activity monitoring tools are available in. Currently, the features are not released globally as Apple is gradually expanding their availability across the world.
In March, New Zealand, Chile and Turkey got ECG support with the release of watchOS 6.2. Both heart beat monitoring digital tools are helpful and lifesaving features for people with existing health conditions or those at risk of developing heart issues by recording their heart rhythms and scanning for irregularities.
The release notes read:
watchOS 6.2.5 includes new features, improvements and bug fixes:
- ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later now available in Saudi Arabia
- Irregular heart rhythm notifications now available in Saudi Arabia
Why ECG requires Apple Watch Series 4 or later
An ECG is an electrocardiogram test which records the timing and strength of electrical signals of the heart beat to check for anomalies. The electrical heart sensor in Apple Watch Series 4 and later, allows users to check for irregular heart rhythm, atrial fibrillation. Paired with an iPhone running iOS 13 and later, users are automatically notified of any irregularity like an increase or skip in heart beat. All heart rhythm data is recored and saved on the iPhone for doctor’s consultation.
From personal experience and recorded cases, ECG and irregular heart rhythm notifications have proven instrumental digital health tools in saving lives. An easy and early detection of heart beat anomalies adds immense value to the Apple Watch. Read details on the complete functionality of ECG on Apple Watch.
New pastel gradient Pride Faces
Ahead of Pride month in June, Apple has launched two new Pride edition sport bands with accompanying Pride faces. This year’s vibrant multi-color straps and faces are in collaboration with Nike to support the LGBTQ community world wide. Since 2018, Apple has been releasing special Pride edition faces ever year representing the symbolic red, organ, yellow, green, blue and purple colors flag of the community. Personalized via customization options, users can use old and new faces as per their liking.
The faces were discovered in the watchOS 6.2.5 beta version and no other new features were found. This might be the last update for watchOS 6 before the release of new watchOS 7, expected to launch at WWDC20 online event.
For modern Apple Watches paired with iPhones on obsolete OS, Apple has released a supporting watchOS 5.3.7 update. Users can upgrade their Watch to the latest version via Watch App > General > Software Update. New Pride faces are available in the Face Gallery section in the app.
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