[Cyclopath]

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/northwest/apple-watches-spur-dramatic-increase-in-911-calls-from-ski-resort/ Skiers and snowboarders carrying Apple Watches have triggered a “dramatic increase in unintentional 911 calls,” according to the Bonner County, Idaho, Sheriff’s Office. “Last Saturday, nearly 30% of our 911 calls were unintentional 911 calls from people enjoying activities on Schweitzer Mountain,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post Thursday.

[Josh Journey]

I suppose the new brave world is: if you want fancy tech, you're going to need some fancy technique to go with it. Don't fall. And especially don't fall for the Apple!

[kbatku]

I can't wait for the massive increase in SAR calls once the "Help ME!" feature of the new Iphone goes into general use. Inreach or SPOT type devices will become useless as SAR is inundated with accidental or really stupid emergency locator activations

[FiveNines]

[Kim Brown]

[Cyclopath]

Apple Watch, and I guess phone too, have "fall detection" which is honestly something I would love to get for my 72 year old mom. It recognizes impact and makes a noise and shows a count down on the screen, and will call for help for you if you don't dismiss it. It's easy to tell it you don't need help, and it's easy to turn the feature off.

[Joey]

[Riverside Laker]

We finally got to use the SOS feature on our InReach a couple months ago. We found a deceased person in a pretty remote region. Oy, that was a strange day. Anyway, the process was pretty good (partly because we had great sky coverage). Within minutes we were "texting" the National Park law enforcement, after Garmin passed our case onto them. Then again, in the Olympics in a forested valley, we couldn't send out a "we're ok" signal after 45 minutes of trying.

[BigBrunyon]

These new hi tech devices have a mind of their own!!!!! These devices are achieving thought. It is highly unpredictable what they will do. The buttons almost don't mean anything anymore. You never know what's gonna happen once you push them!!! Sometimes you're thinkin it's gonna open up the internet and all of a sudden you're in a text with 85 other people!!!!! Utter chaos on these phones!!!

[Joey]

Apple needs to fix this. https://dnyuz.com/2023/02/03/my-watch-thinks-im-dead-2/

[Cyclopath]

[Randito]

[catsp]

Re an iPhone or Apple watch for an old person, I'd suggest not underestimating the ability of old people to make good use of either one, but particularly the iPhone. I recognize that interests and abilities of people vary widely, and one story is just that - a single experience. Here's one. Mid 80's grandfather with no tech experience or savvy whatsoever. One person suggested an iPhone for two reasons: the convenience of texting, and surreptitious location tracking. (I may be joking about the surreptitious part.) Though most family members thought it would be a waste because he was too old to learn, etc., they got the iPhone anyway. Spent some time teaching him how to text a little at a time. Some of the early texts were a little crazy. Now, in his early 90s, he still texts all the time. Uses emojis, with skin tone modifiers. Send pics when needed (e.g., of meds, etc.). He loves it, and the family loves it. Only downside was his wife got a little jealous because he was "always on that thing!" Problem was solved by getting her an iPad with a few casino games.

[Randito]

It really depends on the older person's condition. If you are blessed with an aging parent who still has their wits about them. Count your blessings. Dealing with an aging relative with physical limitations is still difficult, but when their mind is failing instead or as well it add complications, both in terms of their care and the range of emotions that one experiences.