Apple is repeatedly rumored to want to adjust its strategy with regard to the AirPods. The popular earbuds are to be more integrated into the healthcare sector. Now there is a new report on this.
Apple's ambitions for AirPods and in-ear sensors have been known for years. The company has a large number of patents on using earbuds as health monitors dating back more than seven years, as well as interviews with executives suggesting that this feature is being developed for devices other than the Apple Watch. In addition, Apple itself already has Live Listen, the newly introduced Conversation Boost (more about it here) and other technologies that allow AirPods to act as a replacement for hearing aids – even if Apple cannot market them as such.
prototypes with body temperature measurement function
The new report, now published by the Wall Street Journal, cites "documents" and "people familiar with the plans" to try to define Apple's plans precisely. The report specifically mentions that the use of AirPods as hearing aids will be further expanded and that there are prototypes that have a body temperature sensor. The report also states that future AirPods will use motion sensors to monitor the user's posture. This would generate alerts if a user slouches in their chair or makes similar movements. The AirPods were officially announced in September 2016. However, the first patents covering earbuds with biometric tracking were filed as early as 2014.
AirPods: Apple has been researching for many years
According to one of these patents from 2014, a fitness monitoring system was integrated into a headset or earphone. By placing the audio devices in or near the ear, the embedded activity sensor can collect temperature, sweat and heart rate data, among other things. There have long been rumors about the integration of possible health functions into the AirPods. Back in 2018, well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that the AirPods could provide better health management with the Apple Watch and other devices. In the same year, Bluetooth specifications also hinted at additional health and wellness features. Apple has also filed a number of patent applications related to the introduction of health features in a pair of AirPods. These include various sensors for recording heart rate, movement and other health data. When all of this will appear is currently unknown. Accordingly, the future of the AirPods is likely to remain particularly exciting. (Photo by Unsplash / Daniel Romero)
