In September, Apple unveiled the Apple Watch Ultra, the latest addition to its Watch series. While retaining the standard Apple Watch features, the Ultra has been specially designed for robust environments. Encased in a substantial titanium casing, it also incorporates an additional ‘Action button.’ Although the Watch Ultra has been available in India since its launch, one of its standout features is its capability to function as a dive computer for deep-sea diving. As promised, the Oceanic+ app, enabling this functionality, is now accessible on the App Store.
Apple collaborated with Oceanic, a diving equipment specialist, to develop the Oceanic+ app. It can be downloaded from the App Store and, once installed on an iPhone, syncs with the Apple Watch. When combined with the specialized hardware in the Apple Watch Ultra, the app transforms the smartwatch into a fully functional dive computer, providing essential data to divers during deep-sea expeditions.
The Oceanic+ app offers a range of advanced features, including an integrated variometer, decompression data, and a GPS-enhanced post-dive logbook, among others. It can also monitor parameters such as current depth, remaining dive time, and ascent rates. Data collected during the dive is automatically synchronized with the iPhone app when the devices are in proximity.
While the app itself is free, users can access advanced features through in-app purchases, priced at Rs. 899 per month, Rs. 7,500 per year, or Rs. 89 per day. It’s important to note that the app is exclusively compatible with the latest Apple Watch Ultra, as it is the only model equipped with the necessary submersion hardware to deliver dive-related information. Apple emphasizes that the app caters not only to serious deep-sea divers but also to those engaged in snorkeling or surface swimming.
To recap, one of the standout features of the Apple Watch Ultra is its extended battery life, surpassing the norm, with Apple claiming it can last up to 36 hours on a single charge. The Apple Watch Ultra is available for purchase in India at a price of Rs. 89,900 and boasts a sizable 49mm aerospace-grade titanium body. It also offers dual-frequency support for GPS algorithms, and its customizable action button can perform various functions.