December 23, 2024 – In his recent “Power On” newsletter, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg has unveiled the latest advancements in Apple’s AirPods health feature development.
Gurman disclosed that Apple is currently exploring a range of health-monitoring capabilities for its AirPods, including a heart rate monitor, body temperature sensor, and novel sensors capable of tracking “numerous physiological indicators.” Presently, Apple is primarily focused on refining the heart rate sensor.
During internal testing, Apple observed that the Apple Watch provides more precise heart rate data. However, Gurman emphasized that the AirPods’ test results are remarkably close. Details about other health features and their specific timelines remain undisclosed, but Gurman hinted that they could potentially debut in the “next few years,” possibly with the release of AirPods Pro 3.
Furthermore, Apple has resurrected a previously canceled project to integrate a camera into the AirPods. Gurman highlighted that this undertaking, now a top priority for Apple’s AI and AirPods hardware teams, is expected to take several years before it hits the market, assuming it doesn’t get scrapped again.
Earlier this year, Apple rolled out a firmware update for AirPods Pro 2, introducing hearing health functions and qualifying the AirPods as FDA-approved hearing aids. With these additions, it’s evident that Apple is shifting towards a stronger focus on health features, making it highly plausible for the company to introduce AirPods health functions, particularly catering to users who don’t own an Apple Watch.
