Highlights
- Apple is likely adding heart-rate monitoring to upcoming AirPods.
- AirPods Pro 3 and next-gen Powerbeats Pro reportedly will have the feature.
- A system message in the iOS 18 beta reveals details.
Apple is believed to be working to expand Apple’s health-tracking ecosystem even further. Cupertino giant is reportedly working to add heart rating monitoring to its future AirPods models. A recent report published on 9to5Mac mentions discovering evidence in iOS 18 about Apple testing the feature for upcoming AirPods.
As per the report, the feature will likely be introduced in the upcoming AirPods Pro 3 and the next generation of Powerbeats Pro.
This aligns with recent Apple patent details that have confirmed the use of health sensors to detect heart diseases.
Earlier this month, it was also reported that the new code in beta refers to upcoming wireless earbuds with heart-rate sensors.
The previous report reveals, “Code discovered in the latest iOS 18 beta hints at the upcoming functionality, with a system message reading: “Wear both earbuds during workouts to track and send your heart rate to Apple Health. Manage in Bluetooth settings.”
This code is part of the system setup for Apple’s wireless headphones. It includes both AirPods and Beats.
Reliable sources from 9to5Mac indicate that the new heart-rate monitoring feature is expected to launch next year.
Both the AirPods Pro 3 and the next version of Powerbeats Pro will likely include this health sensor.
In another report, Apple’s patent application was spotted by Patently Apple. It reveals details of how microphones inside the ear canal could be used to identify pointers to “heart pathology,” heart disease in common language.
“A device that includes a microphone may be worn in or on an ear of a user. A microphone signal generated by the microphone may be processed to determine the heart activity of a user. An indication of a heart pathology may be detected by applying a predictive algorithm to at least the heart activity.
Heart pathologies include a range of conditions that relate to a person’s heart, such as, for example, blood vessel disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmias), heart defects (e.g., congenital heart defects), heart valve disease, disease of the heart muscle, heart infection, or other heart pathologies […]
Processing the microphone signal may include applying a filter (e.g., a low-pass filter) to the microphone signal. The microphone signals may be processed to sense an infrasound signal in the microphone signal. Additionally, or alternatively, processing the microphone signal to determine the heart activity may include sensing an ultrasound signal in the microphone signal. The microphone signal may be processed to detect a signal that indicates a heartbeat or other movement of such as blood flow that gives information about the heart.”
Bradycardia (abnormally low heart rate) and tachycardia (abnormally high heart rate) could be the two most basic levels detected. However, more sophisticated detection is also possible.
“For example, the first heart activity and the second heart activity may be compared. Comparing the first heart activity and the second heart activity may include detecting a difference in strength between the first heart activity and the second heart activity. Additionally, or alternatively, comparing the first heart activity and the second heart activity may include detecting a difference in timing between the first heart activity and the second heart activity.
Detecting the blockage in the carotid artery may include using an artificial neural network to detect the blockage in the carotid artery based on the first heart activity and the second heart activity.”
Previously, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also hinted that AirPods Pro 3 will have health sensors.
AirPods Pro 3 is expected to launch next year.
FAQs
Q1. What new feature is Apple likely adding to future AirPods models?
Answer. Apple is expected to add heart-rate monitoring to future AirPods models, including AirPods Pro 3 and the next generation of Powerbeats Pro. This feature will use health sensors to track and send heart rate data to Apple Health during workouts.
Q2. When is the heart-rate monitoring feature coming to AirPods?
Answer. The heart-rate monitoring feature is expected to launch next year, as hinted in the iOS 18 beta and confirmed by Apple’s recent patent and reliable sources.
Q3. When is the next AirPods launching?
Answer. Although there is still official confirmation, AirPods Pro 3 is expected to launch next year.
Read More: Apple expected to unveil new AirPods Pro with enhanced noise-canceling
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