[Diabetes-Talk] FW: Article from Apple Insider Articles From June First Through Seventh Section 2024 07 01

[Milton Ota]

Hands on: Using the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose meter directly with Apple
Watch Andrew O'Hara | Jun 05, 2024 Apple Watch showing the Dexcom G7 CGM app
On Wednesday, medical device manufacturer Dexcom finally delivered its
direct-to-Apple Watch functionality for the G7 CGM. Here's how it works. A
constant glucose monitor (CGM) has historically worked by using your iPhone
as a middleman. The sensor gets implanted under the skin, generally behind
the arm contained in a white plastic enclosure. That enclosure then relays
readings in near-real time to a companion iPhone. For those insulin
dependent that use a compatible insulin pump, the Dexcom G7 was also able to
send readings there simultaneously. The iPhone requirement changes with the
latest update to the Dexcom G7 app. After the update, an Apple Watch can be
used as a third connected Bluetooth device for the sensor. Here's how it
works. Testing out the Dexcom G7 direct to Apple Watch In our testing, we
were using a G7 sensor, Apple Watch Ultra , and the Tandem T:Slim X2 insulin
pump. Walking through the setup process for the Dexcom G7 CGM To set things
up, we first updated to the 2.2.1 version of the Dexcom app on our iPhone.
This also updated the built-in app on the watch. Dexcom says to use the
direct to watch feature, you need to have an Apple Watch Series 6 or new
with watchOS 10 installed. How to set up Dexcom CGM on Apple Watch Update
the Dexcom app via the App Store Open the Dexcom app on your iPhone Walk
through the getting started guide Open the updated Dexcom app on your
compatible Apple Watch Tap Pair to Sensor When the popup appears with the
sensor name, tap Pair There are a few caveats. Currently, sharing isn't
directly supported from Apple Watch. If you had any followers, you'll still
need your iPhone for that to work. Apple Watch screenshots for the setup
process You also cannot force quit the Dexcom app on your Apple Watch. This
prevents it from running in the background and continuously updating.
Fortunately, if the connection to your Apple Watch is ever lost, your
glucose rates will still show as it pulls them from your iPhone. A small
phone icon will appear in the top-left corner. Using Dexcom G7 without your
iPhone Dexcom has been promising the direct to Apple Watch connection for
years. We said as much during our initial review back at the 2022 launch. As
a daily user of the Dexcom glucose monitor, this could not be more welcomed.
Any time you'd walk away from your phone, you'd lose access to your levels.
Not to mention, depending on which pocket you put your phone in you could
lose connection to the sensor. The human body is an excellent Bluetooth
shield. We prefer wearing the Dexcom G7 on the back of our arm Your Apple
Watch though, typically comes out from your body and in the last day, we've
never had it disconnect. This has been the most reliable CGM experience
we've ever had. Every time we look at our wrist, we see the current glucose
value. We know that seems simple, but it has never worked that seamlessly
relying solely on the iPhone. Previously, the Complication would be known
for just showing a pair of dashes that wouldn't update until you open the
app and allow it to refresh. Available now Dexcom G7 is typically used by
type 1 diabetics and increasingly by type 2 ones, too. Dexcom does have a
version it sells for non-diabetics but it lacks certain features. The Dexcom
G7 is quite small Apple has been rumored to be working on a noninvasive
glucose sensor but that is still years away from reality. With existing
technology, it won't have the precision needed for diabetics that require an
insulin pump, but will be more generalized. If you're a Dexcom user, you can
update the app now to take advantage of this new feature. Follow
AppleInsider on Google News Andrew O'Hara Chief Videographer