Apple introduced new health features in upcoming devices
Apple introduced new health features in its latest software and hardware at the iPhone 16 event. These features focus on improving sleep and hearing health, two areas that impact billions of people globally.
Additionally, Apple highlighted some of the health features coming to its devices.
Sleep Apnea detection on Apple Watch
One of the most significant new health capabilities is the introduction of sleep apnea notifications on the Apple Watch. Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing stops momentarily during sleep, affects over a billion people worldwide, many of whom go undiagnosed.
Apple Watch’s new Breathing Disturbances metric uses advanced machine learning to detect wrist movements that signal interruptions in standard breathing patterns during sleep. Every 30 days, the device analyzes the user’s data and alerts them if there are consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea.
Apple Watch now includes sleep apnea notifications, enhancing its role as a comprehensive health monitor for users.
Apple Watch continues monitoring other key overnight metrics, such as heart and respiratory rates. Users can track their sleep quality over one-month, six-month, and one-year periods.
Hearing health with AirPods Pro 2
Apple has also refined hearing health with the AirPods Pro 2. While not a new model, they will get an update to offer a comprehensive hearing experience through Hearing Protection, Hearing Tests, and Hearing Aid features.
First, the Hearing Protection feature helps reduce environmental noise, ensuring users are not exposed to damaging sound levels while preserving sound quality for important events like concerts. Protection works automatically across all listening modes by reducing loud, intermittent noises 48,000 times per second.
The Hearing Test allows users to conduct a clinical-grade hearing test from the comfort of their own homes. Based on pure-tone audiometry, users receive detailed results, including an audiogram, which can be shared with healthcare providers.
Hearing Health with AirPods Pro 2
For those diagnosed with mild to moderate hearing loss, the AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid feature offers an over-the-counter solution. The software-based hearing aid adapts in real time to boost surrounding sounds, enabling better conversations and environmental awareness.
This technology allows users to enhance their listening experience across all media types, such as music and phone calls, without manually adjusting settings.
Additional health features
Apple has introduced several other health-related updates. The Vitals app on Apple Watch offers users a daily overview of key health metrics like heart rate and respiratory rate. At the same time, the Cycle Tracking feature now includes additional support for pregnant users, such as the ability to view gestational age and log symptoms.
The company has also enhanced mental wellness tracking by allowing users to save journaling activities as mindful minutes.
The Apple Watch Series 10 will be available on September 20, 2024 from $399. AirPods Pro 2 are already available The https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-airpods/airpods-pro-2 is available for $249.
