The next AirPods could monitor your temperature and posture — and double as hearing aids

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Apple tree is reportedly researching new ways to plough its AirPods into a health tracking device.

According to documents seen past The Wall Street Journal, AirPod prototypes that have the ability to measure a wearer's core body temperature from the inner ear are being adult to piece of work in tandem with a temperature sensor, potentially in the Apple Lookout Serial 8.

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AirPods: Tracking temperature and posture

Unlike skin temperature sensors, the body'due south core temperature is usually only measured outside of medical settings using an ear thermometer, or infrared applied science. The body's core temperature refers to the temperature of the body's internal organs. Your cadre temperature rising or falling apace is usually a sign of a serious medical status.

The new wellness-tracking features being developed for the AirPods are besides said to offer wearers hints and tips on their posture and alert them when they begin to slouch. For a long time now, poor posture has been associated with poor health, every bit bad torso alignment tin can put extra stress on muscles and joints.

AirPods every bit hearing aids

Apple tree is also said to be working on new hearing functions, although it'southward not clear whether these are an expansion on the 'chat boost' feature launched on AirPods Pro last calendar week, or whether Apple is developing more of a hearing help function for their AirPods.

Conversation boost increases the book and clarity of people in front of the wearer, then it could exist that Apple is expanding on this, however, the report mentioned FDA regulations for a new class of hearing aids aimed at mild to moderate hearing loss. It seems unlikely the AirPods would be used every bit a total-time hearing aid, due to the lack of all-24-hour interval battery life.

AirPods: The new health wearable?

This isn't the first fourth dimension nosotros've heard rumors about the AirPods providing more health monitoring functions. Apple tree'southward vice president of technology, Kevin Lynch, hinted at sensor function with AirPods in an interview with Tech Crunch earlier this year. When asked direct virtually AirPod wellness monitoring, Lynch said, "We already exercise sensor fusion beyond some devices today, and I think there's all kinds of potential here".

While the new wellness features on the Apple AirPods are unlikely to reach consumers for a couple of years, these rumors demonstrate Apple's focus on health and health features across multiple devices. It seems the Apple Spotter will no longer be the primary device for the company's health functions. Last month, for example, Apple tree was said to exist working on engineering that will help the iPhone to diagnose low and cognitive decline.

The tech giant is also said to be working on new health features for its Apple Watch that volition help users track their blood pressure level and even fertility. The Wall Street Journal reported that people familiar with internal visitor documents had leaked the brand is working on a tool that volition alert users when their blood pressure level is increasing. The fertility features are thought to exist available as early on as side by side year.

Of form, if this year's Apple event taught u.s.a. annihilation, it's that sometimes rumors are only rumors, but information technology's exciting to come across Apple developing new features to help give users further insights into their wellness.

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Jane McGuire is Tom'southward Guide's Fitness editor, which means she looks after everything fitness related - from running gear to yoga mats. An avid runner, Jane has tested and reviewed fettle products for the past iv years, so knows what to look for when finding a good running watch or a pair of shorts with pockets big plenty for your smartphone. When she'south not pounding the pavements, y'all'll notice Jane striding round the Surrey Hills, taking far too many photos of her puppy.