Noninvasive BG monitoring with Apple Watch, "considered to be years away".

There is a recent article circulating in the T1 community that in part reads, "Citing anonymous sources within Apple, reports in Bloomberg and the New York Times over the past weeks continue to add to the pile of leaks and rumors about two of Apple's currently under-development health devices: a wrist-worn glucose sensor and an EKG built into the Apple Watch."

The article goes on to call the glucose sensor a, "a noninvasive continuous glucose reader".

If you were to surf over to the New York Times link on the subject and read down you would see this...

“Separately, Apple is continuing research on a noninvasive continuous glucose reader, according to two people with knowledge of the project. The technology is still considered to be years away, industry experts said.”

— New York Times

"considered to be years away..."

That's pretty much it. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer and I'm certainly not a Negative Nancy but I didn't want you all to feel like this was coming with the next version of the Apple Watch. 

Now on to some good news...

I have a new giveaway for you to check out.

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New Apple Ad features Dexcom: Here is why that is important to you

"my daughter was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes"

People living with T1D are understandably excited to hear the words, "my daughter was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes" in an Apple ad... but that is just the beginning of why this Apple Watch advertisement should get your heart pumping.

People reach out to Apple all the time to say how Apple Watch is helping them live healthier lives. Here, real customers read the actual stories they shared. Learn more: https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-3

The percentage of people with type 1 using continuous glucose monitoring technology is still relatively low. The barriers to adoption are multivariable. Cost, lack of insurance coverage, misunderstanding of what the technology brings to your life and plain just not knowing that it exists are but a few. The truth however is that even if you never find your way to a CGM this quick video, in my opinion, should still make you happy. Here's why.

We finally have a device manufacturer in the diabetes world who moved beyond the diabetes world. When Dexcom searched for others whose collaboration might improve their product, they didn't just form a relationship with a little start-up. They formed a relationship with Apple. The mention of Apple Watch integration with Dexcom in this ad, in my opinion, is not random. The mention didn't happen just because someone wrote a letter. It is there on purpose. This is Apple telling us what is important to them and a signal of where they are focusing their efforts when it comes to the health space. 

The company that put a smartphone into most every hand on the plant and the company that is hugely responsible for the technology that keeps my daughter healthy, they are dating. I think we are all going to like what their future children grow up to be. I'm even more excited when I think about the relationship that Dexcom has with Omnipod and the ways that the Apple connection could improve all aspects of the tech that helps to keep Arden's BGs where we want them. 

For the moment its great to hear diabetes in the mainstream in such a positive way, but I think that this is only the beginning of how Dexcom and Apple are going to make us smile. It is important to note that Dexcom advertises on the Juicebox Podcast but that I wrote this piece on my own. 

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Dexcom G5 Mobile Gains Apple Watch Complications!

Do you know what watch complications are? 

Complications are the newest feature for the Apple Watch app. Dexcom G5 users with an Apple Watch can choose from 4 different watch faces and by just lifting their wrist they can quickly and easily see their glucose level and trend arrow.

“Complications are small visual elements on the watch face that communicate important information to the user. The term complication comes from watch making, where the addition of features added complexity to the watch construction. Complications are visible whenever the user looks at the watch face, and users can customize which complications are displayed. The number of slots available for complications on a given watch face varies, but most support at least two or three complications.”

— Apple Developer Website

Dexcom representatives told me....

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"We have seen many social media posts indicating that our users have purchased the Apple Watch primarily because Dexcom CGM glucose data is available on the watch. We are excited that this release will allow our users with an Apple Watch even greater convenience for those who want this important information in an easy-to-use and discreet form."

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"Close collaboration took place with Apple to get the watch platform to support our use case of 288 updates/day to make this feature possible for CGM. The Dexcom Watch Face was shown at last year’s World Wide Developers Conference in September, and its currently being promoted on Apple’s website in two locations, (1) on great new features of watchOS3, and (2) third-party ecosystems that make the Apple Watch great. Below are screenshots from both of Apple’s website locations."

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"As part of Dexcom’s commitment of continuous improvement in the quality and user experience of our apps, the 1.6 release also includes several sustaining improvements and enhancements."

Dexcom apps are available for iOS here. 

Click here to learn more about Dexcom

Dexcom G5 App v1.6 and Apple Watch running watchOS 3 or later required. US only.

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App Update: Dexcom G5 Mobile

Available today: Dexcom G5 Mobile Update: v1.5.1

I'm excited for the big update that is in the works for the future, but for now... this is a nice little improvement to the app. 

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Click on the images below to understand the update.

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Dexcom and Apple Watch are here and they bring iPad support

The Apple Watch arrives today and Dexcom has updated their apps to do more than just work on the watch...

This blog post is rather preliminary but important never-the-less because in addition to updating the Dexcom Share and Dexcom Follow apps to work with the new Apple Watch... Dexcom has also added iPad support - however you may not be able to find the apps on the app store without knowing this simple trick.

When you navigate, on your iPad, to the app store and search for Dexcom you won't receive any results - see below.

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But if you change the drop down menu on the top left from iPad Only to iPhone Only you will - see below. This is because while the Dexcom Share2 and Follow apps do now work on iPad, they aren't designed (I hope Dexcom does eventually) for iPad. Meaning you will have to use the X2 button on the lower left of your iPad to upscale/enlarge the app to fit your iPad screen. Not the biggest problem, Instagram and many other apps are the same. Basically you are installing the iPhone app onto your iPad, a possibility that was blocked until the update happened.

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So even if you aren't one of the people who are sitting by the front door waiting for their shiny new Apple Watch (Mine arrives in a few weeks and I will do a full review of the Dexcom app) this app update still brings some much needed iPad usability joy to your diabetes day. 

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