At this year’s Friends for Life conference, Dexcom teased upgraded features that could be coming to the Dexcom Follow app. The new features include alert acknowledgements, an updated home screen, and expanded alert features.

Right from the opening screen, the app home is cleaner and easier to evaluate. The followed users are listed out and color coded based on glucose levels—gray if in range, red if levels are low, and yellow if levels are above range. Along with the glucose information, Follow users can see new labels below alerts that read “acknowledged” or “missed alert.” These labels appear based on the CGM-wearer’s interaction with their alerts.

The new labels will be a great way for parents and caregivers to follow along and allow the CGM-wearer to feel more independent. If the alert says “acknowledged,” caregivers can be confident the user is aware, if it reads “missed,” then maybe its a good time to reach out. My main question is how long will it take before an alert reads “missed,”—5, 10 minutes? Let us know what you think would work best in the comments.

Alongside the updated alert labels, Dexcom is introducing a new Urgent Low Soon alert for followers. One of the biggest advantages of the Dexcom G7 is its ability to predict when glucose is likely to drop to a low level within the next 20 minutes. Until now, only the person wearing the CGM received this predictive alert. Soon, followers will receive it as well, giving them the opportunity to check in sooner, intervene if needed, or simply make sure the CGM wearer is aware that a low may be approaching.

Lastly, Dexcom mentioned it may introduce new features such as call and text alerts similar to what we see on Tandem insulin pumps using the Sugarmate app. Followers will get a message sent over cellular for desired alerts which could be advantageous for those who need the extra nudge.

What do you think of these new features? Are there other features you would like to see come to the Dexcom Follow app? Let us know in the comments below!