Mar 09, 2020 13:00:00

Possibility of adding blood oxygen level detection function and upgrading ECG function in next-generation Apple Watch

Although there is data that it controls about half of the smart watch market, Apple Watch seems to be still aiming to evolve the product, and plans to add a function to detect blood oxygen saturation etc. 9to5Mac of Apple related media reports.

Blood oxygen detection and upgraded ECG features for Apple Watch in development-9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2020/03/08/apple-watch-blood-oxygen-saturation/

According to 9to5Mac, 'The iOS 14 code snippet reveals that Apple is developing' at least two new health-focused features 'on the Apple Watch.' The two new features of 9to5Mac that focus on Apple Watch health are 'blood oxygen saturation detection' and 'improved electrocardiogram (ECG)'.

◆ Blood oxygen saturation detection function
It is considered that 96-100% of the blood oxygen saturation, which indicates the oxygen concentration in the blood, is considered to be healthy. If it is less than 80%, it is thought that the function of the heart and brain is impaired. 9to5Mac says that `` At this time it is unknown about the hardware and software necessary to detect blood oxygen saturation '', while Apple Watch will detect and lower blood oxygen saturation and warn I am.

Regarding the blood oxygen saturation detection function of 9to5Mac, `` The next model Apple Watch Series 6 may be required, '' while the latest OS watchOS 7 is distributed, the existing Apple Watch also has blood It is possible that medium oxygen saturation could be detected.

As the reason, 9to5Mac says, 'It is

clear that the disassembled Apple Watch can measure blood oxygen saturation with existing heart rate measurement sensors.'

In addition, some smartwatches and activity trackers of

Fitbit , which is a competition of Apple Watch and acquired by Google , can already measure blood oxygen saturation .

◆ Improved ECG
In addition, 9to5Mac states that 'Apple is also working on updating the ECG function that appeared from Apple Watch Series 4.' The existing ECG app on the Apple Watch can identify atrial fibrillation and sinus rhythm , but not other conditions such as heart attacks. In addition, the ECG app cannot determine whether atrial fibrillation has occurred if the heart rate is less than 50 bpm or 120 bpm or more.

However, Apple plans to remove restrictions on ECG apps that only worked within the 100-120 bpm range via software or hardware updates.

In addition, it is reported that Apple is developing a function to track the user's sleep status with Apple Watch.

It is clear that a new sleep tracking function will be added to Apple Watch-gigazine