Samsung Releases Hand Washing App For Galaxy Watch Users

By now, everybody should know that it's very important to wash one's hands properly with soap and water. Health experts say this is not just for hygiene, but also a way to protect one's self from the 2019 novel coronavirus that's been spreading across the globe, starting in China.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls hand washing as a “do-it-yourself” vaccine that will help people stay free of COVID-19. This is because research shows that humans tend to touch their face an average of 23 times per hour, and COVID-19 can spread by touching one's eyes, mouth and nose with infected hands. Indeed, at a time like this, handwashing should be a habit.

For this reason, Samsung has launched the “Hand Wash” app for all Galaxy Watch users. The app is available for download on the Galaxy Store for Gear S3, Gear Sports, Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active and Galaxy Watch Active2 users. Those who use the latter will need to download the latest Watch software in order to use the app.

What's this app about?

As the name implies, the Hand Wash app is designed to help users establish the healthy habit of washing their hands on a periodic basis. Samsung said the app is meant to “provide a clear guide on how, and how regularly, users should be washing their hands.” It will do that using the following features:

• Reminders

The Hand Wash app allows users to set an alarm that will notify them every two hours to remind them to wash their hands. This is so that users will develop the habit of handwashing at regular intervals.

• Countdown

The app will also help users wash their hands properly using a countdown function. Experts say people should wash hands for 20 seconds. People can simply hum a tune to count 20 seconds, but the app will make it easier for them by counting a total of 25 seconds –five for applying soap and 20 for scrubbing– so they won't have to.

• Hand Wash Trend

The app will also help users keep track of their handwashing habits, telling them how long it has been since they last washed their hands. It will also help users count how many times they washed their hands throughout the day, and over the course of a week.

Samsung said all Galaxy Watches are waterproof and can be worn while washing. Samsung hopes that the app will help people establish the healthy habit.

The Hand Wash app is now available via Samsung's Galaxy Store.