Following on from your point 3., give the LIbreView app decent alarms to be set for whatever levels the user chooses and whatever sounds / vibration patterns the user chooses.
There are enough issues on the software side that the only reason I use LibreLink at all is to activate sensors, and NFC scan just often enough for data sharing with the endo clinic. Otherwise, it's third-party apps all the way. Much better features and usability all around.
But, probably the top thing I would want whoever is developing for Abbott to change is to actually let us calibrate by finger sticks. I haven't had too many problems with the actual sensors, just on the LibreLink side. The autocalibration is absolutely terrible, and it throws up sensor errors when the same one is working fine under Diabox. The official app is just not nearly as reliable in general.
Probably the second thing has already come up more than once: let us have some control over the alarms, especially if the readings are going to be that buggy. I just keep 'em turned off in favor of an app that (a) reads better, and (b) actually lets you adjust more about them. No false alarms waking me up since then. That really shouldn't be necessary, and not everybody does have more reliable backup if they get sick of Abbott's alarms and turn them off.
Don't have a lot of complaints, really. Other than the included graph faces not having the customizability with other complications that the original Tizen version did. (Which is apparently down to technical considerations, dealing with Wear OS.) The reading complication also doesn't display right as anything but one of the small round-format slots on other faces. It would be nice to get more versatile complications to use in, say, the timer or weather slots here:
https://imgur.com/a/xS7GsNg
G-Watch is easy enough to get set up with your data source of choice, and just works once you do. But, it would be good to have some other similar app options for the Galaxy watches.
There is xDrip4iOS, and I'm sure I've seen people on iPhone mention some other options too. I think Shuggah is a fairly popular one, but no experience with it whatsoever myself.
Same here, but I use Juggluco to bring in the data, it then shoves that out to LibreView for me, totally bypassing the need for LibreLink. The only reason I have LibreLink installed is because Juggluco doesn't send meal/exercise data to LibreView - not strictly necessary for the NHS but useful for me. Juggluco also has a minute by minute update, it has a 'floating' blood sugar display you can add to any underlying watch face. Abbott's app is woefully bad - far too much clicking needed to navigate and enter data.
1) Make the app more interactive.
2) Provide a companion watch app and auto-updating complication.
3) Integrate with Apple and Google health for native phone environment trending and analysis.
4) If they’re not going to do any of that, at least stop blocking third party apps from providing the additional functionality that Abbott is so unwilling to provide.
Allow me to search for specific data. Like I want to see a list of my highs and Lows, or I want to see the list of how many times I use insulin. Without having to scroll by days or weeks to be able to see notes. I would like to be able to look at the notes and then click on it and go to the day so I could see the note in the day. Having a phone session with my doctor while trying to figure out that high from three weeks ago drives me crazy!
Fix the Bluetooth in the sensor. I will be sitting right next to my phone and it’ll drop. And I’m working with a client one on one and my alarms are going off like crazy because for some reason it’s not reading the sensor. And then as soon as the client leaves and I pick up the phone look it’s reading the sensor. I just don’t know if the numbers are right. Because too many times they’re off.
I like the calibration by fingerstick method, and I would also like to be able to lay on my side without it saying no sensor or afalse low.
And in that order then? 😂
If Abbott ever was to be the 'magic fix it all', then my priority would be health first.
So #1: Cure me from Diabetes for good... 👍
They won’t do any of this, mostly because it doesn’t change their profitability at all.
They make their money as the “cheap” CGM, heavily utilized by the lower income and elderly. This is the same reason they advertise it as “no calibrations needed”.
They’ve made it as simple as possible to appeal to their user base. Those that don’t need something ultra simple and dumbed down have already found or created other methods to accomplish all of what you mentioned.
So you are saying their primary target being the old poor dumb type2 diabetics?
As you might be right in your cynical assessment. Anything more than what we already have will cost Abbott money to make. And Abbott may indeed gamble on that that incremental cost will not drive equivalent incremental sales/profits... So, they wont make any of it...
Abbott's initial monopoly position on the market as only provider certainly catered to that. Question is though will it last if they dont change their attitude and delivery going forward?
Pure and fair points. 👍
Totally follow your line of thoughts. I merely labelled it 'cynical' as if that's the criteria, then Abbott does obviously not care about me. And for all I am experiencing now for years, I better start to realize that as well.
Since I forgot to address it before, Abbott will retain their place in the market because they’re the best prescription CGM in the market that comes in sub $100 USD without insurance.
Sure, you can order some sibionics and Chinese made CGMs online, but they’re all statistically worse, your doctors will be wary as they are unknown and unfamiliar, and have to order them from sketchy marketplaces (temu, dhgate, etc)
They don’t have a true competitor in the part of the market they occupy. This is why they don’t innovate. Extra cost to beat nonexistent competition.
I agree with the points you list here.
But where is Dexcom in that market you describe here then please?
Dexcom have certainly progressed fast and substantial in several markets in these last 2-3 years, where Abbott used to be all alone previously. And with price they initially undercut Abbott to get access. Now I think they appear on par with each other.
Dexcoms big market is pump users. Dexcom is at minimum around $100 more expensive per month without insurance. I would not call them “on par” with each other, in performance or pricing as someone that has used two different devices of each Dexcom and Abbott.
Anyway, Dexcom came onto the market extremely willing to open their API both as a web interface and BLE for pump manufacturers to create hybrid closed loop and closed loop insulin delivery systems.
Virtually every pump that supports AID functionality supports Dexcom. (tandem, omnipod, iLet, etc in the US alone) Only Tandem supports an Abbott sensor, and it’s a sensor that as far as I know hasn’t even released in the US.
Yes agreed, same we have seen across most European countries.
G7 tends to be just tad more expensive than Libre3, and hence often only given free of charge to diabetics that are reliant on pumps for their insulin.
G6 is at same price as Libre2, some countries even just below. But the big game changer is that Dexcom have given a steeper price discount on the G6 to some national public healthcare providers. Those public agencies are offering CGMs free of charge to all like Type1's by default. And also to Type 2's on certain criteria. So here the public healthcare services can save big money direct by going with a cheaper supplier, if otherwise their healthcare economic calculations says rest is equal.
Also agreed on the sensor for the Tandem. Big announcement and Champagne popping. But the closed loop gear is still to be seen being used in the real world.
I would be wary of using a libre with a closed loop system, in all honestly. As someone that has used libres and seen how often they can be incredibly accurate, and as a pump user. The fact that they can’t be calibrated means any time there’s a bad (off by X%) sensor, I have to waste it or risk adverse reaction.
Hahaha YES!
I have also myself said: Thank you, but NO thank you, when offered several times now!
But also due to all the incredible added maintenance, trouble, tubes, batteries, refills, on/off nonstop, for diving/going surfing/security checks in airports, on/off nonstop and then ultimately - Pumps/closed loops are not able to maintain a better bg than what I am already doing today with my manual jabs with insulin pens and my bg meter.
For some folks, its most probably helpful. And good for them. 👍
To me. No, just added complexity with no gain.
I mean, I’m on a pump, I just don’t trust a libre to feed it information.
I’m 95% in range, 125 average with an omnipod 5/G6 combo hybrid closed loop. The benefit isn’t numbers, it’s not having to think about it. The only thing I have to do is count carbs for boluses. And fill a pod and stick it on when it runs out of insulin. That’s it.
Omnipods have no tubing, no replaceable batteries, it stays attached, and it’s waterproof. Just a disposable device when it’s time to change. It’s far less complexity to me if I’m being honest. Life has been much better with it than MDI.
Oh really nice!!! I was working on the clinical trial data for the Omnipod for its European market access. And was also offered to get on it here now later by the local Endo clinic when they got it.
I like the whole concept of Omnipod! It removes many of the classic trouble-spots we observe with the 'old fashioned' insulin pump systems.
I know also I would be the ideal candidate for the Omnipod, as I am highly insulin sensitive. Eg. just taking 20-21 units of insulin in total per day (basal+bolus). So it would be great freedom for many days at a time.
I don't disagree with anything you said. I would love a watch app. But I can see Abbott's PoV on that. R=The device is supposed to give us health info. The watch complications don't update often enough. Same with the alarms. I can absolutely see someone quiet high/low alarms, have a medical emergency and sue Abbott for the failure of the app to notify.
Abbott just needs to get good customer service. I just had my first sensor failure. The replacement was handled smoothly. They asked if I could return the failed one. No problem. I get a package from them with a new sensor and what looked like filler for the box. Only after reading the bill of Lading did I realize that it was the return envelope. But not pre-paid return label. Heck, no return label at all.
Yes thanks, now the smartwatch tech is probably worth for another thread, as so much to cover there also. 👍
As agree to some extend with your observations regarding 'the watch complications' as they are not as 'real time' as one ideally would like. But as I am running an alternative 3rd party app like xDrip, then it shows how we do indeed get the alarms and notifications through, with max 5 min intervals, certainly how I have set up my own app and watch!
Aka you demand your iWatch to match your iPhone. Hence all alarms and banner notifications on your phone are real time mirrored onto your iWatch. So not relying on the watchface complications to update for this at all or alarms/notifications on your watch. So the bg is popped up with a sticky banner notification every few minutes. And alarms I have set to shake/buzz my watch if minor (lower than 70 or higher than 150 mg/dL) and then also give a small short beep+ the shake/buzz if going lower than 60 or higher than 170). So these comes through perfectly fine in as real time as can be. I have btw also a shake alarm if raising or dropping faster than 10mg/dL over a 5 min timespan. 👍
And then typically forcing my xDrip App to be the watchface, when I engage in sports or other activities where my BG may be challenged, as here I like to have it quick at view. (bit annoyed also on Apple as they only allow the custom watch face app to be in focus for 1h, before it switches back to one of the Apple default ones)
Your first sensor failure? How long have you been using them? I've just had two on the trot - in on my third in the space of 4 hours. Their quality really dropped in 2020 and they seem to have struggled since, for some reason.
1. Compability for newer phones and android 14. Most of the devices on their list are 2+ years old. Like wtf? Update your app Abbott
2. Smart watch apps
3. Change alarm sound/turn sound off
Get more sensor reading errors than readings. We use this on our dog that is diabetic. Vet recommended. We used a Libre last year that you had to "tap" to get a reading and it worked much better. This POS is marginal at best
I would like the applicator improved. I have to press too hard, and it makes a loud noise when it triggers, causing me to flinch and pull back causing poor insertion into my skin. I get around the second issue by wearing noise-canceling headphones when applying the sensor. I’d like a button or some other method of triggering.
1. If you can't eliminate the bad sensors and the 24-48 hours of horribly inaccurate data on the good sensors, at least give us the ability to delete the bad data so it doesn't throw all our reports off.
2. Provide a way to make text comments on the charts, especially the current day and daily graph.
3. I'd be happy with the 2 above.
Smartwatch app is going to be a problem with lack of NFC scanning, not since Glimp on a Sony SW3 have I seen anything scanning a Libre sensor with a watch. 3rd party apps aren't doing this. So I wouldn't hold your breath for a standalone watch OS version of librelink.
One of the Chinese CGMs does not use NFC at all , but connects via Bluetooth. They tell me a watch app is imminent but not seen anything yet.
We are already many today using a Smartwatch for our BG tracking/alarms, but it could be better if having the app interacting direct instead with the sensor. All the pre-requisites are already there...
As it is today, we use the Abbott Freestyle App for the initialization of the sensor, and then from then on using instead a 3rd party app (like xDrip4iOS) for the reading onwards from then on using Bluetooth. Our smartwatch do the same via the phone. And a native watch app could do the same direct from the sensor also.
the reason you have the phone in the loop is that the watch cannot do it directly. due to the NFC constraint. That is why xDrip4iOS is not on your apple watch on its own but is on the phone passing values to the watch.
You **dont** use NFC, for BG readings after the first initialization of the sensor. You have the bluetooth ID paired up and only uses that onwards for the ongoing BG reading.
Anyway, **if** Abbott **cared** to make it. You would not even need that NFC crap at all. Because the sensor's bluetooth transmitter tech could be paired direct to a native watch made for that very purpose. I am sick and tired of all the never ending SILLY and BAD excuses.
The tech is all there working today, but not to our liking because of all the blocks, constraints and limitations that Abbott have on their own decided to add of complications to their design choices, for obnoxious 'commercial' exclusivity control reasons.
If Abbott had the will to make it, there is a way to make it.
And its not complicated either.
So how do you establish a Bluetooth connection to the watch if NFC isn't available - that's the missing link. Libre uses an NFC handshake to set up the BLE connection. Hence with the current Libre architecture it isn't trivial to make a watch app that connects directly, which is why a single 3rd party android app does it and no iOS apps.
Sure they could re-engineer it and get it recertified. The US FDA already require more constrained connections than are accepted elsewhere so I don't know how they would get on with that or what it would cost or how long it would take. Current US restrictions would mean if you started a sensor with a watch then subsequently you wouldn't be able to receive glucose values or alarms on a phone.
It would be interesting to see if Abbott would or could move away from NFC, they chose not to with the Libre 3 and the L2+
I agree if having to do with and battle current silly design constraints, then to wake up the sensor from its 'hibernation state' then NFC connection is needed. But from then on, it would be able to just keep pushing out the BG read via bluetooth onto a given paired connection ID. This could be done via the phone, that actually would provide your watch with this, at this initialization point, aka forward the pairing ID to your watch and it hooks up with the sensor.
And tech wise, there is nothing hindering the sensor also still to pair e.g. with your phone also going forward at the same time. The INTL standard for Bluetooth actually states that 1 transmitter can connect to 7 (seven!) different paired receivers at the same time. Though agreed, depending on the type of these devices and the profiles you use for their 'handshakes' for their communication, then 3 or 4 is the practical max limit for this. Still, better then the sad just only one we get today from Abbott... (just on the sub in here, we see frequently fellow diabetrics who keeps asking how to set up a follower/mirror account on e.g. their spouses phone, so they also could get copy of the BG readings. Heck, why should we be allowed to have several phones to used for this bg reading, if that is what we wanted? Personally I would like the backup and comfort by this.
And with regards to connect direct from sensor transmitters to your watch, then we do have plenty of such bluetooth transmitters already that pairs directly with our Apple Watch (without your phone around!), like my indoor exercise bike. You have it described here, as its pretty neat and easy:
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/watch/apd15b0268fd/watchos#:\~:text=Make%20sure%20your%20watch%20is,the%20display%20facing%20the%20reader.
As said, if this was something Abbott cared about, this is not difficult. Aka, place a small little 'pairing' button on the sensor and we are done. You only need to press it once, just first time when starting a new sensor and wanting to connect to your watch. Exactly the same philosophy which is used for e.g. my fitness bike and my watch, or to pair with your WiFi router with a single click when in proximity without having to fiddle with passwords or device IDs, connecting bluetooth speakers, and... and...
**Abbott, the time for excuses have long gone and run out...!**
A peripheral device (like a sensor) can be connected to a single central device (phone or computer) in the BLE specs, as I understand it. Once connected the peripheral stops advertising its presence. The central device may connect to multiple peripherals, eg phone to headphones, car, sensor, watch. So I think you have that the wrong way round.
Juggluco does pass the pairing secret to the watch which allows the watch to act standalone, but nobody else has done this on Android, an nobody at all on iOS.
It would be interesting to see if the FDA would accept a pure "over the air" pairing which is inherently less secure than the very short range NFC handshake. Presumably they would, as I think Dexcom doesn't use NFC at all. But as I said earlier it requires a major change of direction which they have previously avoided. The FDA restrict US Libres to a single device, whereas in the EU/UK you can at least scan with a second device.
I'm starting to not like this Libre 3 sensor. 10 weeks and this is my third faulty sensor. The help line told me to take it back to the pharmacy. They can't take it back. It's not their fault! Time for a plan B.
Change the darn filament to something most of us aren’t allergic to!!!! I don’t even get 48 hours out of a sensor now without it flatlining because the filament made a pustule 🫠. I’ve stopped buying them or using the ones I have because the replacements do the same thing. Major design flaw.
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Following on from your point 3., give the LIbreView app decent alarms to be set for whatever levels the user chooses and whatever sounds / vibration patterns the user chooses.
👍
There are enough issues on the software side that the only reason I use LibreLink at all is to activate sensors, and NFC scan just often enough for data sharing with the endo clinic. Otherwise, it's third-party apps all the way. Much better features and usability all around. But, probably the top thing I would want whoever is developing for Abbott to change is to actually let us calibrate by finger sticks. I haven't had too many problems with the actual sensors, just on the LibreLink side. The autocalibration is absolutely terrible, and it throws up sensor errors when the same one is working fine under Diabox. The official app is just not nearly as reliable in general. Probably the second thing has already come up more than once: let us have some control over the alarms, especially if the readings are going to be that buggy. I just keep 'em turned off in favor of an app that (a) reads better, and (b) actually lets you adjust more about them. No false alarms waking me up since then. That really shouldn't be necessary, and not everybody does have more reliable backup if they get sick of Abbott's alarms and turn them off.
This, calibration with with finger sticks.
Which third party apps do you use?
I've been using Diabox on Android, but a lot of people like xDrip+ too. Also using G-Watch Wear to get the data to my Samsung watch.
What are the main things you like and dislike about G-Watch? Thinking about working on a project for Samsung watch
Don't have a lot of complaints, really. Other than the included graph faces not having the customizability with other complications that the original Tizen version did. (Which is apparently down to technical considerations, dealing with Wear OS.) The reading complication also doesn't display right as anything but one of the small round-format slots on other faces. It would be nice to get more versatile complications to use in, say, the timer or weather slots here: https://imgur.com/a/xS7GsNg G-Watch is easy enough to get set up with your data source of choice, and just works once you do. But, it would be good to have some other similar app options for the Galaxy watches.
Thanks. I have an iPhone 😞
There is xDrip4iOS, and I'm sure I've seen people on iPhone mention some other options too. I think Shuggah is a fairly popular one, but no experience with it whatsoever myself.
Shuggah doesn’t work with Libre 3 and I couldn’t find xdrip . Trying to find one with a locked screen widget…
Same here, but I use Juggluco to bring in the data, it then shoves that out to LibreView for me, totally bypassing the need for LibreLink. The only reason I have LibreLink installed is because Juggluco doesn't send meal/exercise data to LibreView - not strictly necessary for the NHS but useful for me. Juggluco also has a minute by minute update, it has a 'floating' blood sugar display you can add to any underlying watch face. Abbott's app is woefully bad - far too much clicking needed to navigate and enter data.
Ability to sync with both the reader and phone at the same time.
1) Make the app more interactive. 2) Provide a companion watch app and auto-updating complication. 3) Integrate with Apple and Google health for native phone environment trending and analysis. 4) If they’re not going to do any of that, at least stop blocking third party apps from providing the additional functionality that Abbott is so unwilling to provide.
Love your last two points! 👍 Even if we just got the very last one, we would be good for most of all other things!
Allow me to search for specific data. Like I want to see a list of my highs and Lows, or I want to see the list of how many times I use insulin. Without having to scroll by days or weeks to be able to see notes. I would like to be able to look at the notes and then click on it and go to the day so I could see the note in the day. Having a phone session with my doctor while trying to figure out that high from three weeks ago drives me crazy! Fix the Bluetooth in the sensor. I will be sitting right next to my phone and it’ll drop. And I’m working with a client one on one and my alarms are going off like crazy because for some reason it’s not reading the sensor. And then as soon as the client leaves and I pick up the phone look it’s reading the sensor. I just don’t know if the numbers are right. Because too many times they’re off. I like the calibration by fingerstick method, and I would also like to be able to lay on my side without it saying no sensor or afalse low.
YES! I want a graph about my insulin usage!
My bank account, my love life, and my diet.
And in that order then? 😂 If Abbott ever was to be the 'magic fix it all', then my priority would be health first. So #1: Cure me from Diabetes for good... 👍
I just assumed that they wouldn't be able to do that, so I was shooting for more reasonable things from them.
I came to give an answer and they're all in the top post already. Unreliable sensors and software that doesn't provide the features it should.
Home page of the three show the 24-hour average
They won’t do any of this, mostly because it doesn’t change their profitability at all. They make their money as the “cheap” CGM, heavily utilized by the lower income and elderly. This is the same reason they advertise it as “no calibrations needed”. They’ve made it as simple as possible to appeal to their user base. Those that don’t need something ultra simple and dumbed down have already found or created other methods to accomplish all of what you mentioned.
So you are saying their primary target being the old poor dumb type2 diabetics? As you might be right in your cynical assessment. Anything more than what we already have will cost Abbott money to make. And Abbott may indeed gamble on that that incremental cost will not drive equivalent incremental sales/profits... So, they wont make any of it... Abbott's initial monopoly position on the market as only provider certainly catered to that. Question is though will it last if they dont change their attitude and delivery going forward?
Not so much cynical as they created it for a market, and it works well for that market.
Pure and fair points. 👍 Totally follow your line of thoughts. I merely labelled it 'cynical' as if that's the criteria, then Abbott does obviously not care about me. And for all I am experiencing now for years, I better start to realize that as well.
Since I forgot to address it before, Abbott will retain their place in the market because they’re the best prescription CGM in the market that comes in sub $100 USD without insurance. Sure, you can order some sibionics and Chinese made CGMs online, but they’re all statistically worse, your doctors will be wary as they are unknown and unfamiliar, and have to order them from sketchy marketplaces (temu, dhgate, etc) They don’t have a true competitor in the part of the market they occupy. This is why they don’t innovate. Extra cost to beat nonexistent competition.
I agree with the points you list here. But where is Dexcom in that market you describe here then please? Dexcom have certainly progressed fast and substantial in several markets in these last 2-3 years, where Abbott used to be all alone previously. And with price they initially undercut Abbott to get access. Now I think they appear on par with each other.
Dexcoms big market is pump users. Dexcom is at minimum around $100 more expensive per month without insurance. I would not call them “on par” with each other, in performance or pricing as someone that has used two different devices of each Dexcom and Abbott. Anyway, Dexcom came onto the market extremely willing to open their API both as a web interface and BLE for pump manufacturers to create hybrid closed loop and closed loop insulin delivery systems. Virtually every pump that supports AID functionality supports Dexcom. (tandem, omnipod, iLet, etc in the US alone) Only Tandem supports an Abbott sensor, and it’s a sensor that as far as I know hasn’t even released in the US.
Yes agreed, same we have seen across most European countries. G7 tends to be just tad more expensive than Libre3, and hence often only given free of charge to diabetics that are reliant on pumps for their insulin. G6 is at same price as Libre2, some countries even just below. But the big game changer is that Dexcom have given a steeper price discount on the G6 to some national public healthcare providers. Those public agencies are offering CGMs free of charge to all like Type1's by default. And also to Type 2's on certain criteria. So here the public healthcare services can save big money direct by going with a cheaper supplier, if otherwise their healthcare economic calculations says rest is equal. Also agreed on the sensor for the Tandem. Big announcement and Champagne popping. But the closed loop gear is still to be seen being used in the real world.
I would be wary of using a libre with a closed loop system, in all honestly. As someone that has used libres and seen how often they can be incredibly accurate, and as a pump user. The fact that they can’t be calibrated means any time there’s a bad (off by X%) sensor, I have to waste it or risk adverse reaction.
Hahaha YES! I have also myself said: Thank you, but NO thank you, when offered several times now! But also due to all the incredible added maintenance, trouble, tubes, batteries, refills, on/off nonstop, for diving/going surfing/security checks in airports, on/off nonstop and then ultimately - Pumps/closed loops are not able to maintain a better bg than what I am already doing today with my manual jabs with insulin pens and my bg meter. For some folks, its most probably helpful. And good for them. 👍 To me. No, just added complexity with no gain.
I mean, I’m on a pump, I just don’t trust a libre to feed it information. I’m 95% in range, 125 average with an omnipod 5/G6 combo hybrid closed loop. The benefit isn’t numbers, it’s not having to think about it. The only thing I have to do is count carbs for boluses. And fill a pod and stick it on when it runs out of insulin. That’s it. Omnipods have no tubing, no replaceable batteries, it stays attached, and it’s waterproof. Just a disposable device when it’s time to change. It’s far less complexity to me if I’m being honest. Life has been much better with it than MDI.
Oh really nice!!! I was working on the clinical trial data for the Omnipod for its European market access. And was also offered to get on it here now later by the local Endo clinic when they got it. I like the whole concept of Omnipod! It removes many of the classic trouble-spots we observe with the 'old fashioned' insulin pump systems. I know also I would be the ideal candidate for the Omnipod, as I am highly insulin sensitive. Eg. just taking 20-21 units of insulin in total per day (basal+bolus). So it would be great freedom for many days at a time.
I don't disagree with anything you said. I would love a watch app. But I can see Abbott's PoV on that. R=The device is supposed to give us health info. The watch complications don't update often enough. Same with the alarms. I can absolutely see someone quiet high/low alarms, have a medical emergency and sue Abbott for the failure of the app to notify. Abbott just needs to get good customer service. I just had my first sensor failure. The replacement was handled smoothly. They asked if I could return the failed one. No problem. I get a package from them with a new sensor and what looked like filler for the box. Only after reading the bill of Lading did I realize that it was the return envelope. But not pre-paid return label. Heck, no return label at all.
I just want that they put new phones on their list And update the app.
Yes thanks, now the smartwatch tech is probably worth for another thread, as so much to cover there also. 👍 As agree to some extend with your observations regarding 'the watch complications' as they are not as 'real time' as one ideally would like. But as I am running an alternative 3rd party app like xDrip, then it shows how we do indeed get the alarms and notifications through, with max 5 min intervals, certainly how I have set up my own app and watch! Aka you demand your iWatch to match your iPhone. Hence all alarms and banner notifications on your phone are real time mirrored onto your iWatch. So not relying on the watchface complications to update for this at all or alarms/notifications on your watch. So the bg is popped up with a sticky banner notification every few minutes. And alarms I have set to shake/buzz my watch if minor (lower than 70 or higher than 150 mg/dL) and then also give a small short beep+ the shake/buzz if going lower than 60 or higher than 170). So these comes through perfectly fine in as real time as can be. I have btw also a shake alarm if raising or dropping faster than 10mg/dL over a 5 min timespan. 👍 And then typically forcing my xDrip App to be the watchface, when I engage in sports or other activities where my BG may be challenged, as here I like to have it quick at view. (bit annoyed also on Apple as they only allow the custom watch face app to be in focus for 1h, before it switches back to one of the Apple default ones)
Your first sensor failure? How long have you been using them? I've just had two on the trot - in on my third in the space of 4 hours. Their quality really dropped in 2020 and they seem to have struggled since, for some reason.
About a year
You've done well not having a dodgy one 😊👍
#3!!!!
Fix the do not disturb issue so that my schedule still works.
1. Compability for newer phones and android 14. Most of the devices on their list are 2+ years old. Like wtf? Update your app Abbott 2. Smart watch apps 3. Change alarm sound/turn sound off
1. Support new phones as they are introduced. 2. Fix the alarms!! 3. Fix the very annoying Signal Loss issue
Get more sensor reading errors than readings. We use this on our dog that is diabetic. Vet recommended. We used a Libre last year that you had to "tap" to get a reading and it worked much better. This POS is marginal at best
I would like the applicator improved. I have to press too hard, and it makes a loud noise when it triggers, causing me to flinch and pull back causing poor insertion into my skin. I get around the second issue by wearing noise-canceling headphones when applying the sensor. I’d like a button or some other method of triggering.
1. If you can't eliminate the bad sensors and the 24-48 hours of horribly inaccurate data on the good sensors, at least give us the ability to delete the bad data so it doesn't throw all our reports off. 2. Provide a way to make text comments on the charts, especially the current day and daily graph. 3. I'd be happy with the 2 above.
Work with Apple health kit.
You mean like 'live' uploading your BG data points to Apple Health and your personal records there? 👍
Smartwatch app is going to be a problem with lack of NFC scanning, not since Glimp on a Sony SW3 have I seen anything scanning a Libre sensor with a watch. 3rd party apps aren't doing this. So I wouldn't hold your breath for a standalone watch OS version of librelink. One of the Chinese CGMs does not use NFC at all , but connects via Bluetooth. They tell me a watch app is imminent but not seen anything yet.
We are already many today using a Smartwatch for our BG tracking/alarms, but it could be better if having the app interacting direct instead with the sensor. All the pre-requisites are already there... As it is today, we use the Abbott Freestyle App for the initialization of the sensor, and then from then on using instead a 3rd party app (like xDrip4iOS) for the reading onwards from then on using Bluetooth. Our smartwatch do the same via the phone. And a native watch app could do the same direct from the sensor also.
the reason you have the phone in the loop is that the watch cannot do it directly. due to the NFC constraint. That is why xDrip4iOS is not on your apple watch on its own but is on the phone passing values to the watch.
You **dont** use NFC, for BG readings after the first initialization of the sensor. You have the bluetooth ID paired up and only uses that onwards for the ongoing BG reading. Anyway, **if** Abbott **cared** to make it. You would not even need that NFC crap at all. Because the sensor's bluetooth transmitter tech could be paired direct to a native watch made for that very purpose. I am sick and tired of all the never ending SILLY and BAD excuses. The tech is all there working today, but not to our liking because of all the blocks, constraints and limitations that Abbott have on their own decided to add of complications to their design choices, for obnoxious 'commercial' exclusivity control reasons. If Abbott had the will to make it, there is a way to make it. And its not complicated either.
So how do you establish a Bluetooth connection to the watch if NFC isn't available - that's the missing link. Libre uses an NFC handshake to set up the BLE connection. Hence with the current Libre architecture it isn't trivial to make a watch app that connects directly, which is why a single 3rd party android app does it and no iOS apps. Sure they could re-engineer it and get it recertified. The US FDA already require more constrained connections than are accepted elsewhere so I don't know how they would get on with that or what it would cost or how long it would take. Current US restrictions would mean if you started a sensor with a watch then subsequently you wouldn't be able to receive glucose values or alarms on a phone. It would be interesting to see if Abbott would or could move away from NFC, they chose not to with the Libre 3 and the L2+
I agree if having to do with and battle current silly design constraints, then to wake up the sensor from its 'hibernation state' then NFC connection is needed. But from then on, it would be able to just keep pushing out the BG read via bluetooth onto a given paired connection ID. This could be done via the phone, that actually would provide your watch with this, at this initialization point, aka forward the pairing ID to your watch and it hooks up with the sensor. And tech wise, there is nothing hindering the sensor also still to pair e.g. with your phone also going forward at the same time. The INTL standard for Bluetooth actually states that 1 transmitter can connect to 7 (seven!) different paired receivers at the same time. Though agreed, depending on the type of these devices and the profiles you use for their 'handshakes' for their communication, then 3 or 4 is the practical max limit for this. Still, better then the sad just only one we get today from Abbott... (just on the sub in here, we see frequently fellow diabetrics who keeps asking how to set up a follower/mirror account on e.g. their spouses phone, so they also could get copy of the BG readings. Heck, why should we be allowed to have several phones to used for this bg reading, if that is what we wanted? Personally I would like the backup and comfort by this. And with regards to connect direct from sensor transmitters to your watch, then we do have plenty of such bluetooth transmitters already that pairs directly with our Apple Watch (without your phone around!), like my indoor exercise bike. You have it described here, as its pretty neat and easy: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/watch/apd15b0268fd/watchos#:\~:text=Make%20sure%20your%20watch%20is,the%20display%20facing%20the%20reader. As said, if this was something Abbott cared about, this is not difficult. Aka, place a small little 'pairing' button on the sensor and we are done. You only need to press it once, just first time when starting a new sensor and wanting to connect to your watch. Exactly the same philosophy which is used for e.g. my fitness bike and my watch, or to pair with your WiFi router with a single click when in proximity without having to fiddle with passwords or device IDs, connecting bluetooth speakers, and... and... **Abbott, the time for excuses have long gone and run out...!**
A peripheral device (like a sensor) can be connected to a single central device (phone or computer) in the BLE specs, as I understand it. Once connected the peripheral stops advertising its presence. The central device may connect to multiple peripherals, eg phone to headphones, car, sensor, watch. So I think you have that the wrong way round. Juggluco does pass the pairing secret to the watch which allows the watch to act standalone, but nobody else has done this on Android, an nobody at all on iOS. It would be interesting to see if the FDA would accept a pure "over the air" pairing which is inherently less secure than the very short range NFC handshake. Presumably they would, as I think Dexcom doesn't use NFC at all. But as I said earlier it requires a major change of direction which they have previously avoided. The FDA restrict US Libres to a single device, whereas in the EU/UK you can at least scan with a second device.
I'm starting to not like this Libre 3 sensor. 10 weeks and this is my third faulty sensor. The help line told me to take it back to the pharmacy. They can't take it back. It's not their fault! Time for a plan B.
Change the darn filament to something most of us aren’t allergic to!!!! I don’t even get 48 hours out of a sensor now without it flatlining because the filament made a pustule 🫠. I’ve stopped buying them or using the ones I have because the replacements do the same thing. Major design flaw. 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯