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I was initially obsessed with my sleep score when Apple released it last fall.
The new Apple Watch feature rates the quality of your sleep from one to 100, the higher the better.
I struggle with insomnia, but some nights are better than others — especially if I exercise during the day.
In the morning, I smugly congratulate myself if I get a high sleep score (rare), vow to do better if I get a middling score (frequent), and fret if it’s low.
I thought I was immune to gamification tactics, but when it comes to sleep score, I’m hooked.
However, over time, I’ve come to seriously doubt its accuracy. Often, if I sleep well, I get a low score. And if I toss and turn all night, it gives me a stellar one.
Because of this — and other good reasons — Cult of Mac writer Ed Hardy cautions against using sleep score at all.
On some points, I concur. But sleep score has definitely helped me be more disciplined about bedtime. I try hard to get to bed on time and to read a book (not an electronic device) before bedding down.
I’m certain these two factors help with my sleep. I just don’t obsessively check my sleep score anymore — but I often do peek. I can’t help myself!
Also in today’s newsletter:
The world has gone truly mad: Jony Ive is designing a phone that’s not an iPhone.
You’ll never guess why all future iPhones are getting more RAM.
🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: This highly rated portable monitor (just look at the reviews!) is 30% off. #affiliate
Here’s a good reason — four or five of them, actually — to subscribe to Apple News+ (apart from it being a pretty great news aggregator).
I’d forgotten about the most egregious hackintosh of all time.
There’s a lot to like about EarFun’s new open-ear earbuds, especially at their low, low price. See our hands-on review.
— Leander Kahney, EIC.
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One more thing ...
[On working in a full-body Alice in Wonderland costume for $3 an hour] It was hot, the costumes were heavy, and after a while I felt like I wanted to smack some of the kids.
Today’s poll
Do you track your Apple Watch sleep score? Has it helped?
Results from yesterday’s poll:
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