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vickipow

21 karma · joined February 3, 2023

co-founder Lume Health prev. Apple Engineer
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vickipow··on Show HN: I built a daily sunlight tracker
Thanks! Will do
vickipow··on Show HN: I built a daily sunlight tracker
The light sensor is in the Apple Watch display (behind the screen) it's what it uses to adjust the screen brightness. So if it's exposed to the sun it will count it automatically
vickipow··on Show HN: I built a daily sunlight tracker
I get what you're saying.

The product we're working on in the background is a wearable hormone monitor that actually shows you at the molecular level how much sunlight impacts your hormones - we've found this to be the most powerful lever for behavior change. But in the meantime, we have been using the saying "you can't improve what you can't measure" to help people get more sunlight.

vickipow··on Show HN: I built a daily sunlight tracker
Thanks! Reaching out.
vickipow··on Show HN: I built a daily sunlight tracker
Working on it! Thanks for the feedback.
vickipow··on Show HN: I built a daily sunlight tracker
Yeah unfortunately you have to have the screen exposed for a few minutes each time you go outside.

I spoke to the team at Apple, they said as long as you have a couple of minutes in the sunlight while you're on a walk it will then use sensor fusion to count the rest of the time outside.

vickipow··on Show HN: I built a daily sunlight tracker
Thanks so much!

Appreciate the feedback. Will add those updates to our list of things to change (lots of improvements to make).

Glad to hear you're getting more consistent morning light, it's imo one of the most powerful things you can do for your health.

vickipow··on Show HN: I built a daily sunlight tracker
Thanks (1) You can join the waitlist for our hormone tracking device, the app is available for download today on TestFlight. Eventually the app will be used to show you the connection to your hormone balance (like cortisol etc.) and your light exposure. They are very tightly linked! (2) there is a light sensor in the display of the Apple Watch that automatically tracks it. It works ~80% of the time, but struggles if you have a big jacket