O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: heart

  • Apple to expand Apple Watch, AirPods medical features to additional countries

    Apple to expand Apple Watch, AirPods medical features to additional countries

    A number of medical features, including the Apple Watch hypertension notifications, sleep apnea alerts, as well as the AirPods Hearing Test and Hearing Aid have expanded to a number of new countries.

    Apple Watch hypertension notifications and sleep apnea alerts, as well as AirPods Hearing Test and Hearing Aid, are now available in these new countries. Apple is rolling out hypertension notifications for Apple Watch users in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam. This feature takes into account 30-day periods of heart data collected by the Apple Watch to notify the user about a possible hypertension issue.

    Apple has stated that while the new feature won’t “detect all instances of hypertension,” it is still expected to help more than 1 million users uncover hypertension issues within the first year of availability.

    The company is also reported to be expanding its Sleep Apnea alerts to Colombia. The feature, as described by Apple, “can look for breathing disturbances while you’re sleeping and notify you if they show consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea.”

    Apple is also releasing multiple assistive AirPods features to a long list of European countries, including the UK, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Ireland, and Denmark.” The features include the AirPods Hearing Test as well as Hearing Aid with automatic Conversation Boost, which are designed to help users identify hearing issues and adjust AirPods system settings and features to meet their needs accordingly.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via 9to5Mac, MacRumors, and support.apple.com

  • Apple Watch Series 10 features an identical heart sensor as the Apple Watch Series 9

    Apple Watch Series 10 features an identical heart sensor as the Apple Watch Series 9

    Getting down to the components of the Apple Watch Series 10, while there were rumors that the new version of the smartwatch would feature a new heart and ECG sensor, Apple may be going with the components from the Apple Watch Series 9.

    Per the technical specifications for the Apple Watch Series 10, it is equipped with a third-generation optical heart sensor, which is the same sensor that was used in the prior-generation Series 9.

    Apple made no mention of the heart rate sensor during Monday’s media event, and there’s no information about upgraded hardware on the Apple Watch Series 10 product page.

    The previous rumor stated that the alleged upgraded heart sensor would “unlock new features and provide more accurate results.” A rumor published by 9to5Mac stated that the new sensor would enable sleep apnea detection, but as Apple explained yesterday, sleep apnea detection actually uses the accelerometer. Sleep apnea detection did not require an upgrade to the heart sensor, and it is in fact also being added to the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, both of which have the same third-generation heart sensor as the Series 10.

    Although Apple was said to be working on blood pressure monitoring for the Series 10, the feature does not appear to have been ready in time for the device’s launch. Apple highlighted no other new health features other than the ability to detect sleep apnea.

    Among the highlighted points were the thinner bezel and the lighter weight as opposed to prior Apple Watch models. the Series 10 has a new water temperature sensor, depth sensor, Oceanic+ app for snorkeling, and Tides app, which brings functionality closer to the ‌Apple Watch Ultra 2‌.

    The Apple Watch Series 10 models are available for pre-order and will begin arriving to customers on Friday, September 20.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and Apple

  • Heart Analyzer: Cardio Monitor reaches version 10.0, adds new fixes and features

    Heart Analyzer: Cardio Monitor reaches version 10.0, adds new fixes and features

    This might come in handy.

    Heart Analyzer: Cardio Monitor for the Apple Watch/iPhone has reached version 10.0, the new version sporting the following fixes, changes, and new features:

    • A brand new iPhone experience starting with the Dashboard
    • Swipe between days, scroll through charts and tap into the details in an all-new design
    • Reimagined Insights tab and Deep Analytics section including enhanced charts
    • A refreshed Watch App with more Health data than ever
    • New complications for tracking HRV and updates to existing ones

    Heart Analyzer: Cardio Monitor is available for free, and features in-app purchases that help expand its functionality. The software requires iOS 15.0 or later to install and run.

    If you’ve had a chance to try the new version, please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via the App Store

  • Rumor: Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro could feature upgraded H1 chip, Find My features, health sensors, and other changes

    Rumor: Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro could feature upgraded H1 chip, Find My features, health sensors, and other changes

    A series of leaks hint at some interesting changes that could be on the horizon for Apple’s second generation AirPods Pro.

    The leaks, which were sent to audio information news site52 Audio, suggest that the upcoming AirPods 2 could look almost exactly like the current model and the AirPods 3. The stem is still there, but the case features a USB-C charging port instead of Lightning. This runs contrary to an earlier prediction rumor of the earbuds sticking with Lightning charging.

    According to the leaks, Apple will use an updated H1 chip for the AirPods Pro 2. This chip will provide an upgraded SiP packaging system and self-adaptive noise cancellation. It should also better performance and improved power consumption.

    It’s also been thought that the upcoming AirPods Pro could feature health sensors. One set of sensors would detect the wearer’s heart rate from within the ear. The sensor may also support temperature detection, but 52Audio says this remains unconfirmed.

    It’s also thought that the units will fully support Apple’s Find My Functionality, which would allow users to find missing earbuds or their case within the Fine My app. The case may even include a speaker, allowing it to play a sound when misplaced.

    It’s also thought that the AirPods Pro 2 could function as a hearing aid. Sound could supposedly be collected through the charging case and then transmitted to the earbuds. From there, the AirPods Pro would and plays back the sound to help people with hearing loss better hear sound around them.

    52 Audio has a somewhat mixed track record in terms of pinning down rumors that came true, but this leads to some interesting potential features for people hoping for something interesting from the AirPods 2.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and 52 Audio

  • Apple Watch irregular heart rhythm notification feature edges closer to ECG approval in Australia

    Apple Watch irregular heart rhythm notification feature edges closer to ECG approval in Australia

    The Apple’s Watch’s irregular heart rhythm notification feature has now been approved in Australia, indicating that the ECG feature could be soon to follow.

    Per documents seen by EFTM, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration show that the smartwatch’s irregular rhythm notifications has now been approved and added to the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. While this doesn’t mean that the ECG function has been medically certified for use in Australia, it shows that Apple has begun submitting its devices and software to Australian regulatory authorities for approval.

    The irregular rhythm notification feature intermittently checks the user’s heart rhythm in the background and sends a notification if an irregular heart rhythm is identified that could potentially be atrial fibrillation (AFib). Upon receiving a notification, users in territories where the feature is approved can immediately launch the ECG app and perform a more comprehensive test in just 30 seconds by placing their finger on the Digital Crown to generate an ECG waveform.

    Atrial fibrillation is a health condition which often goes undiagnosed, so ECG app and heart rhythm alerts on the Apple Watch can be used for detecting early signs of the disease. Until recently, ECG readings have generally required a full ECG machine and a visit to the doctor.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and EFTM