Apple Watch Ultra's powerful dive tools come with the Oceanic+ app
Apple said the Watch Ultra would be more useful for divers once a key app arrived, and that time has finally arrived. Hush Outdoors and Apple launched Oceanic+, giving Ultra owners a recreational-focused dive computer. The software tracks fundamentals such as depth, no-decompression time (a number used to set time limits for given depths) and water temperature. The app is designed to be used without the touchscreen and you can set compass headings using the action button. Even the haptic feedback is strong enough to be felt through a suit.
You can plan dives to make the most of your travels, including tides and currents. A post-dive review will display data that includes your water entry and exit locations. You'll find more information about your iPhone, such as depth charts and temperature rise rate.
Apple
Basic features of Oceanic+ such as depth, time and dive logging are free. You'll want to pay $10 per month or $80 per year for decompression tracking, location scheduling, and other more advanced features. A family plan of $129 per year allows access for five people. The app requires at least watchOS 9.1 as well as an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 16.1.
Apple is quick to warn that Oceanic+ is not intended for professional divers. It won't track remaining air like some dive computers, for example - the Apple Watch Ultra doesn't support transmitters that connect to your tank. This is strictly for enthusiasts and only up to 130ft. The watch can officially survive depths of 328 feet.
Even so, the launch could be significant. This fulfills a promise made by Apple in early September and makes the Watch Ultra considerably more useful if you frequently dive underwater. The watch launched with only basic depth tracking which wasn't much help if you wanted to avoid turns or find your way back. Although this is not a substitute for dedicated gear for particularly committed divers, it could save you some money if you wanted a watch that you could wear both above and below the surface.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
Apple said the Watch Ultra would be more useful for divers once a key app arrived, and that time has finally arrived. Hush Outdoors and Apple launched Oceanic+, giving Ultra owners a recreational-focused dive computer. The software tracks fundamentals such as depth, no-decompression time (a number used to set time limits for given depths) and water temperature. The app is designed to be used without the touchscreen and you can set compass headings using the action button. Even the haptic feedback is strong enough to be felt through a suit.
You can plan dives to make the most of your travels, including tides and currents. A post-dive review will display data that includes your water entry and exit locations. You'll find more information about your iPhone, such as depth charts and temperature rise rate.
Apple
Basic features of Oceanic+ such as depth, time and dive logging are free. You'll want to pay $10 per month or $80 per year for decompression tracking, location scheduling, and other more advanced features. A family plan of $129 per year allows access for five people. The app requires at least watchOS 9.1 as well as an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 16.1.
Apple is quick to warn that Oceanic+ is not intended for professional divers. It won't track remaining air like some dive computers, for example - the Apple Watch Ultra doesn't support transmitters that connect to your tank. This is strictly for enthusiasts and only up to 130ft. The watch can officially survive depths of 328 feet.
Even so, the launch could be significant. This fulfills a promise made by Apple in early September and makes the Watch Ultra considerably more useful if you frequently dive underwater. The watch launched with only basic depth tracking which wasn't much help if you wanted to avoid turns or find your way back. Although this is not a substitute for dedicated gear for particularly committed divers, it could save you some money if you wanted a watch that you could wear both above and below the surface.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.
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