Source: iMore
What you need to know
- Apple released watchOS 7.6 yesterday following a lengthy beta program.
- The new update brings support for the Apple Watch's ECG functionality to another 30 countries.
Apple released the watchOS 7.6 update to the public yesterday and that means that no fewer than 30 more countries now have access to the Apple Watch's ECG functionality.
The release, which comes after a fairly lengthy beta process, means that people in a ton more countries now have access to a potentially lifesaving feature. Their Apple Watch Series 4, Apple Watch Series 5, and Apple Watch Series 6 can now perform an ECG on them.
Here's how Apple describes the ECG feature:
The ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, or Series 6 generates an ECG that is similar to a single-lead (or Lead I) ECG. In a doctor's office, a standard 12-lead ECG is usually taken. This 12-lead ECG records electrical signals from different angles in the heart to produce twelve different waveforms. The ECG app on Apple Watch measures a waveform similar to one of those twelve waveforms. A single-lead ECG is able to provide information about heart rate and heart rhythm and enables classification of AFib. However, a single-lead ECG cannot be used to identify some other conditions, like heart attacks. Single-lead ECGs are often prescribed by doctors for people to wear at home or within the hospital so that the doctor can get a better look at the underlying rate and rhythm of the heart. However, the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, or Series 6 allows you to generate an ECG similar to a single-lead ECG without a prescription from your doctor.
The additional 30 countries have been collated by the folks at 9to5Mac and include Slovenia, Haiti, Gibraltar, and many more.
The full list of 30 countries reads:
- Andorra
- Anguilla
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Cook Islands
- Cyprus
- Dominica
- Estonia
- Fiji
- French Southern Territories
- Gibraltar
- Guadeloupe
- Guernsey
- Haiti
- Isle of Man
- Jersey
- Monaco
- Montserrat
- Nauru
- Norfolk Islands
- Seychelles
- Slovenia
- St. Barthélemy
- St. Helena
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- St. Martin
- St. Vincent & Grenadines
- Ukraine
- Vatican City
The ECG functionality has already been shown to save lives and its rolling out to more countries can only be a very good thing indeed.
Don't yet have an Apple Watch Series 6? These are the best Apple Watch deals around!

iOS gaming recap: Drop into the Disney Mirrorverse and more from Netflix
This week in the iOS gaming world, Netflix made some more big moves to bring a beloved game to mobile, while Disney is doing more multiverse madness.

Review: This ZAGG Apple Watch band is a good Braided Solo Loop dupe
We love the Apple Braided Solo Loop, but that $99 price tag can be hard to swallow if you want multiple colors. Thankfully, ZAGG has a good alternative that costs half of that.

Apple launches its Back to School promotion, $150 gift cards on offer
Today, Apple has launched its annual Back to School promotion offering students gift cards of up to $150 with certain purchases.

What are the best Mac accessories to purchase on a budget?
Macs aren't cheap but that doesn't mean you can't accessorize them on a budget. Let's take a look at some of the best Mac accessories on a budget.