Changing Your Apple Watch or iPhone's Region Won't Enable ECG App Outside of United States

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Apple today released watchOS 5.1.2, which enables the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 models. However, as Apple made clear, the ECG app is currently only available in the United States and its territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, preventing it from being used internationally at this time.


Many software features on Apple devices are initially limited to the United States, but international users have often been able to simply change their iPhone or Apple Watch region to the United States to gain access.

That's not the case with the the ECG app on the Apple Watch Series 4, though, as it only functions on models purchased in the United States. Those living in Canada, the UK, or other countries cannot simply change their iPhone or Apple Watch region to the United States to enable the ECG app — it doesn't work.

Note that the ECG app requires an Apple Watch Series 4 with watchOS 5.1.2, paired with an iPhone 5s or newer with iOS 12.1.1.

Both the ECG app and irregular heart rhythm notifications are regulated features on the Apple Watch. Both features have been granted De Novo classification by the FDA for users 22 years and older in the United States. Apple says people already diagnosed with atrial fibrillation should not use the app.

It's unclear when the ECG app will expand to additional countries, but Apple Watch Series 4 models sold internationally do have the necessary electrical heart sensor. Apple is likely in the process of gaining clearance for the ECG app in other countries, but it has yet to comment on wider availability.

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Apple Hunting for Next 'Breaking Bad', Interested in Violent Drama Starring Richard Gere

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Apple is reportedly in negotiations to purchase the rights to Israeli drama series "Nevelot" (or, "Bastards"), which is described as a violent and mature drama series (via CNBC). Richard Gere could star in the adaptation, which is being written and created by "Homeland" creator Howard Gordon and "Law and Order: SVU" showrunner Warren Leight.

Image via Variety / Rex Features
Apple is said to be in a bidding war with Showtime, FX, and Amazon for the show, which revolves around two military veterans who go on a killing spree targeting young people, "because they believe today's kids don’t understand the sacrifices of their generation." Gordon and Leight would reformat the show for the American market, and potentially change the title.

Right now, all sides are said to still be in talks, and nothing is finalized. If certain agreements can't be reached -- like the budget -- then it has a risk of falling through.

Apple's interest in such a mature-themed series comes in stark opposition to previous reports we've heard about its upcoming string of TV shows. Most notably, in a September report The Wall Street Journal claimed that Apple would be unlikely to produce original content that contains gratiuitous sex, violence, profanity, or risqué storylines in an effort to avoid tainting its wider brand image.

Unless the entire concept of "Bastards" is changed, it appears like the show would include most, if not all, of those adult pieces of content. CNBC's report today suggests that Apple is on the hunt for its own "Breaking Bad", a show with a Mature Audiences rating that aired on AMC from 2008 through 2013.

Additionally, Apple is said to be looking for "different" content, as long as it has substance and isn't gratuitous. The search is said to be emphasizing unusual formats that won't fit in the traditional 30-minute and 60-minute time slots. The company is also experimenting with more advanced interactive and immersive content of some kind, but these plans are painted as a "long-term vision" for Apple's original content efforts, and not indicative of the more straightforward shows we'll see when everything first launches next year.

In one final tidbit from today's report, the long-in-production morning show drama starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston is said to be called "Top of the Morning," the same as the book it's based on. For a list of every show coming from Apple, check out our full Apple TV Roundup.

Tag: Apple's Hollywood ambitions

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Bang & Olufsen Adds AirPlay 2 Support to Additional BeoPlay and BeoSound Speakers

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Bang & Olufsen over the past week has added AirPlay 2 support to more of its speakers, including the BeoPlay A9 and BeoPlay M5.

BeoPlay M5 speaker in AirPlay Picker via Brad Thomas
This follows the addition of AirPlay 2 to the BeoPlay M3, BeoSound 1 and 2, BeoSound Core, and BeoSound Shape earlier in November, to be followed by the BeoPlay A6, BeoSound Essence, and BeoSound 35 by the end of December.

AirPlay 2 should be enabled as part of an automatic software update for each speaker, but the software version can be checked and updated manually via the Bang & Olufsen app for iPhone and iPad if necessary.

With the AirPlay 2 update, these Bang & Olufsen speakers now support multi-room audio when paired with other AirPlay 2 devices, such as the HomePod, Apple TV, Sonos speakers including the One, Beam, Playbase, and second-generation Play:5, and select Denon and Marantz audio receivers.

AirPlay also allows for Siri control of Apple Music or Podcasts playback on supported speakers via iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, HomePod, and Apple TV.

Bang & Olufsen speakers will appear in the AirPlay device picker within most apps and in Control Center on devices running iOS 11.4 or later.

AirPlay is Apple's wireless streaming protocol that enables users to easily stream audio from iTunes on a Mac to supported speakers, as well as from iPhone apps like Apple Music, YouTube, Spotify, Hulu, and Netflix, to AirPlay-enabled speakers, now including these BeoPlay and BeoSound options.

Tags: Bang & Olufsen, AirPlay 2

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LEGO Launches 'Playgrounds' AR App for iOS, Mixing Physical Sets With Augmented Reality

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Following a demo earlier this year at WWDC, LEGO today launched the LEGO AR Playgrounds app for iPhone and iPad [Direct Link]. The app uses ARKit to place digital LEGO characters and blocks into real-world environments, and the digital creations can also interact with existing physical LEGO sets.


There are various "playgrounds" within the app that users will be able to explore, the first being LEGO Ninjago. Using select physical Ninjago Dragon Hunters sets, players will be able to interact with these sets to see special effects, animations, and characters come to life in augmented reality. These select sets include LEGO Ninjago Dieselnaut (70654) and the Lego Ninjago Dragon's Pit (70655).

With multi-user support in ARKit, two people will be able to play together in the same playground. In the Ninjago playground, two users can team up to battle against the Dragon Hunters, share power-ups, and strategize to survive through a wave-based attack mode.

"Children today are mastering the art of finding new moments and forms of play and LEGO Playgrounds will provide a 'live' opportunity to test and learn directly with them. It's truly a unique way to engage with them in a fun and experimental way and bring them close to our innovation process. Having this direct-link to users creates a win for everybody – sharing the latest play experiences is great fun for children and highly useful for our LEGO design and development teams who can take their feedback and use it to make launch experiences even better and more engaging."

If you don't have a physical set, LEGO Playgrounds allows you to play five levels without a set. Users will just need to find a flat surface and they'll be able to play these select levels in AR only. The LEGO Playgrounds app for iOS is free to play and there are no in-app purchases, ads, or marketing messages.

To use the AR features players will need an iPhone 6s and above on the latest version of iOS. Head to the iOS App Store to download LEGO AR Playgrounds for free today [Direct Link].

Tags: LEGO, Foll

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Apple Shares Heartfelt 'Real Stories' From Apple Watch Wearers in Latest Videos

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Apple today shared a pair of heartfelt videos titled Real Stories and Real Stories: Michael on its YouTube channel.

"People reach out to Apple all the time to share how Apple Watch has become an indispensable part of their lives," said Apple in the video description. "Here are some of their stories."

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Apple Releases watchOS 5.1.2 With ECG, New Infograph Complications and Walkie-Talkie Control Center Toggle

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Apple today released watchOS 5.1.2, the third update to the watchOS 5 operating system that runs on modern Apple Watch models. watchOS 5.1.2 comes one month after the release of watchOS 5.1.1, an update that introduced new emoji and color watch faces and addressed a bricking bug that had been introduced with watchOS 5.1.

watchOS 5.1.2 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General --> Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.


watchOS 5.1.2 introduces the long-awaited ECG feature for Apple Watch Series 4 models in the United States. The ECG functionality works through electrodes built into the back of the Apple Watch Series 4 and the Digital Crown, allowing users to take a single-lead electrocardiogram with the wrist-worn device. An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart and is often used to diagnose heart conditions.

Alongside ECG functionality, watchOS 5.1.2 introduces a new feature that will let you know if the Apple Watch is detecting an abnormal heart rhythm that's indicative of atrial fibrillation, which can be a sign of a serious health problem. The ECG feature is limited to the Series 4, but the irregular heart rhythm notifications will be available on all Apple Watch models able to run watchOS 5 - that's Series 1 or newer.

The watchOS 5.1.2 update also brings new complications for the Infograph watch faces on the Apple Watch Series 4. Complications that have been added include Mail, Messages, Home, Maps, Apple News, Find My Friends, Phone, and Remote, all of which can now be assigned to the available complication slots on the Infograph watch face.


With most of these complications, the icon is designed to provide quick access to opening up an app rather than relaying information like unread messages or emails.

watchOS 5.1.2 also includes a new toggle in Control Center for turning the Walkie-Talkie feature on and off, which makes it a lot easier to disable Walkie-Talkie when it's not in use and turn it back on when it's needed.

Apple's release notes:

This update includes new features, improvements and bug fixes:

- New ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 (US and US territories only)
* Allows you to take an electrocardiogram similar to a single-lead electrocardiogram
* Can indicate whether your heart rhythm shows signs of atrial fibrillation—a serious form of irregular heart rhythm—or sinus rhythm, which means your heart is beating in a normal pattern
* Saves ECG waveform, classification and any noted symptoms in a PDF on the Health app on iPhone to share with your doctor

- Adds the ability to receive an alert if an irregular heart rhythm that appears to be atrial fibrillation is detected (US and US territories only)

- Enables direct access to supported movie tickets, coupons, and rewards cards in Wallet when tapped to a contactless reader

- Receive notifications and animated celebrations when you achieve daily maximum points in a day during an Activity competition

- New Infograph complications for Mail, Maps, Messages, Find My Friends, Home, News, Phone, Remote

- Manage your availability for Walkie-Talkie from Control Center

More details on the features introduced with the watchOS 5 update that came out in September can be found in our watchOS 5 roundup.

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