Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC), has launched Watch OS 1.0.1 for Apple Watch about a week and a half ago, and after installing the update some have noticed that the smartwatch monitors the heartbeat less often. Although at the time Apple did not offer an explanation for the change it made, the American company still recently updated its dedicated website Apple Watch to highlight the new working mode of the heart rate sensor.
If Watch OS 1.0 measures the heartbeat once every 10 minutes, Watch OS 1.0.1 measures the heartbeat only when the hand is not moving, unlike in the past when it did it all the time. The new mode of operation measures the heartbeat once every 10 minutes when the user's hand is motionless for a few seconds, and this is probably to improve the battery life of the watch, Apple considering that measuring the heartbeat during physical exercises or simple movement is not necessary if the user don't ask for it expressly.
In addition, Apple Watch attempts to measure your heart rate every 10 minutes, but won't record it when you're in motion or your arm is moving. Apple Watch stores all your heart rate measurements in the Health app.
The change attracted a lot of criticism from dissatisfied users who are no longer constantly measuring heartbeats by the Apple Watch regardless of their activity, and the explanation provided by Apple will certainly not reassure them. Considering that in the past the Apple Watch measured the heartbeat once every 10 minutes, regardless of movements, the change represents a setback for the functionality of the smart watch, so we are probably not talking about something permanent.
If you want the Apple Watch to constantly monitor your heart rate, you can force the activation of this functionality by opening the Workout application from the smart watch and choosing a physical exercise session.
