Apple has "healthier" plans for its AirPods. While the tech major has already made clear that they are not just an audio device (the second-generation AirPods can be used as hearing aids), it is planning to integrate more health features into them.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the third-generation device —rumoured to be called AirPods Pro 3 — could be used for heart rate monitoring, as a temperature sensor, and tracking various physiological aspects. While still in "early development," Gurman acknowledged that heart rate monitoring may be included in AirPods Pro 3. They are anticipated to arrive in 2025, so the health features may get a reveal sometime soon.
While the ability for the AirPods to track a user's heart rate is one of Apple's challenges, the other presumably would be how another health tracking gadget will add to the company's repertoire of health devices. The iPhone and Apple Watch already have health monitoring features, and Gurman mentioned that users who wish to track heart rate may not have to look at the Apple Watch. How Apple integrates the AirPods into its health tech ecosystem while sustaining the relevance of all devices remains to be seen.
AirPods Pro 3 might also be the first audio product from the company's stable to use Apple Intelligence. The future AirPods could have built-in cameras that could “be used to capture data that would be processed by AI and assist people in their daily routines.” The cameras will allow Apple Intelligence to visually comprehend the surroundings, similar to Apple's recently unveiled Visual Intelligence feature in the iPhone 16 series.
Apple may install a new H3 chip in the AirPods Pro 3 to power Apple Intelligence. This could allow for other capabilities, including health-related ones. Along with hearing assistance capabilities of the AirPods Pro 2, the updated device could include a new temperature sensor for more precise body temperature readings and other health sensors.
The company is also anticipated to make the current audio capabilities of the AirPods, including adaptive transparency and noise reduction, even better.
AirPods Pro 3 might also be the first audio product from the company's stable to use Apple Intelligence. The future AirPods could have built-in cameras that could "be used to capture data that would be processed by AI and assist people in their daily routines". The cameras will allow Apple Intelligence to visually comprehend the surroundings, similar to Apple's recently unveiled Visual Intelligence feature in the iPhone 16 series.
Apple may install a new H3 chip in the AirPods Pro 3 to power Apple Intelligence. This could allow for other capabilities, including health-related ones. Along with hearing assistance capabilities of the AirPods Pro 2, the updated device could include a new temperature sensor for more precise body temperature readings and other health sensors.
The company is also anticipated to make the current audio capabilities of the AirPods, including adaptive transparency and noise reduction, even better.
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