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Apple is working on its own sleep monitoring system – this rumor has been considered a certainty for some time. But where is the feature?
Many Apple Watch users would like to have sleep tracking directly from Apple, but so far, nothing of the sort has been announced from Cupertino. Various sources have reported on Apple's new "Sleep Tracking" feature several times, and hints were also found in the iOS 13 beta this summer – even insiders have chimed in. Anyone who hasn't believed the rumors so far may now find confirmation in the watchOS App Store. An attentive MacRumors reader has found a hint that officially confirms the feature. According to the report, Apple has uploaded a screenshot of its own "Alarms" app for the Apple Watch to the App Store highlighting the feature. The screenshot contains the following text: "Set your bedtime and wake up in the Sleep App." Interested parties can then save their bedtime and wake-up times in the Sleep app. There really couldn't be better proof. The app first appeared in an earlier iOS 13 beta – since then, there have been no further references in the code – and the current watchOS 6.1 beta doesn't seem to include the feature either.
Sleep monitoring with the Apple Watch
The current information on this topic is as follows. According to insiders, Apple's sleep monitoring will not require any additional accessories - the sensors on the Apple Watch would be completely sufficient - but backwards compatibility has been confirmed. The new function is known internally under the code name "Burrito" and is referred to as "Time in Bed Tracking". It allows the user to wear their Apple Watch in bed and measure their sleep. If you have multiple Apple Watch models, you have to assign the sleep analysis to a fixed device - so is it backwards compatible after all? While the wearer is sleeping, the Apple Watch records the quality of sleep using the built-in sensors - the system also records the user's movements, ambient noise and heart rate. The stored data is then made available in the Health app on the iPhone and in a new application called "Sleep" for the Apple Watch.
Release date later than expected?
The question of whether Apple is working on such a function should therefore be answered. But now the big question is - when will the feature be released? While many assumed that Apple could introduce the function in a later watchOS 6 version this year, some now believe that it will be presented much later. The function seems to be somewhat more complex, which is why Apple needs more time to develop it. According to observers, an introduction by the end of 2020 is not unrealistic - and one point is not clear with certainty. Does the function require new hardware or will it be backwards compatible? Current opinions tend towards the latter - we will see. (Photo by hadrian / Bigstockphoto)
