Highlight

• Kuo suggests future AirPods will focus on health features.
• Gurman earlier reported that Apple is adding sensors to AirPods for more accurate health data collection.

Apple has been evidently prioritising health features in its products for a while now.

After introducing features such as the new sleep apnea notifications in Apple Watch and the hearing features in iOS 18.1 for AirPods Pro 2, the company reportedly has big future plans on similar lines for next-generation AirPods.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in one of his recent Medium posts revealed details of future AirPods models, saying, “Following the success of the Apple Watch, AirPods are being repositioned to focus on health management, with future models integrating more health management features.

It is important to note that Kuo has not shared any further details or delved into the subject other than sharing that health is going to be a major priority for Apple.

In the last few months, we have seen Apple rolling out Hearing Aids, Hearing Tests and Hearing Protection features in its iOS 18.1 update.

The brand and consumers both understand that Apple products have a lot of potential to offer useful health features.

The company is exploring new sensors that can be added to its devices and stay connected with the human body to provide useful health features.

Some of the possibilities that AirPods can explore in future include body temperature and hearing health.

Apple has previously successfully executed its plan for keeping health features at the forefront for Apple Watches.

The new Apple Watch includes sleep apnea notifications, a clinically validated hearing test and an over-the-counter hearing aid feature.

It also offers heart rate notifications, irregular rhythm notifications for atrial fibrillation and ECG app capabilities for capturing heart data.

If the company can replicate the same philosophy with AirPods, it can become a leading differentiator compared to others in the business in the category.

While Kuo has shared an important insight about Apple’s plans, it is not the first time someone has hinted at what to expect from future AirPods.

Bloomberg’s Apple reporter Mark Gurman has previously suggested that Apple is working on adding more sensors in its AirPods. Gurman mentioned, “There’s also engineering work being done on adding sensors to the AirPods so they can determine body temperature via a wearer’s ear canal. That type of data is considered more accurate than wrist temperature.”

FAQs

Q1. What health features might be included in the next-generation AirPods?

Answer. Future AirPods models are expected to integrate more health management features, possibly including sensors for body temperature and hearing health.

Q2. How has Apple previously incorporated health features into their products?

Answer. Apple has introduced features such as sleep apnea notifications in Apple Watch and hearing aids, hearing tests, and hearing protection in the iOS 18.1 update for AirPods Pro 2.

Q3. What are the health features of the new Apple Watch?

Answer. The new Apple Watch includes sleep apnea notifications, a clinically validated hearing test and an over-the-counter hearing aid feature. It also offers heart rate notifications, irregular rhythm notifications for atrial fibrillation and ECG app capabilities for capturing heart data.