Key Points
- Apple is testing temperature sensing and heart rate monitoring for next-gen AirPods Pro.
- Heart rate monitoring may rival Apple Watch accuracy and could launch soon.
- Temperature sensing could expand AirPods’ health-tracking capabilities.
- The developments highlight Apple’s focus on blending health and technology in its wearables.
Apple is reportedly developing the next generation of AirPods Pro with potential new health-focused features. In Bloomberg’s recent Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman revealed that Apple is testing advanced functionalities like temperature sensing and heart rate monitoring for the earbuds.
While the Apple Watch outperforms AirPods in heart rate readings, Gurman noted that the earbuds’ accuracy is not far behind, suggesting significant progress in integrating health monitoring technologies.
Temperature sensing could add another utility layer to the AirPods Pro, allowing users to monitor their health metrics more seamlessly. This innovation aligns with Apple’s ongoing efforts to expand its health-oriented devices and services portfolio. Gurman also hinted that heart rate monitoring might debut sooner than expected, possibly in the next iteration of AirPods Pro, which is still in its early development phase.
In addition to health features, Apple has reportedly revived its concept of integrating cameras into AirPods. This ambitious idea has surfaced several times over the past year, but it now appears to be a strategic priority for the company. Gurman suggests this initiative is part of Apple’s broader push to enhance its artificial intelligence capabilities. However, the realization of camera-equipped AirPods may still be several years away, reflecting the technical and practical challenges of implementing such a feature.
Apple’s exploration of these innovations underscores its commitment to staying ahead in the highly competitive wearables market. By blending health monitoring with other advanced technologies, the company aims to redefine the functionality of its AirPods lineup. These upgrades could solidify the AirPods Pro’s position as a multifaceted device bridging entertainment, communication, and health tracking.
