Apple cancels plans for AI-based virtual health coach
Apple has reportedly significantly scaled back plans for an AI-powered virtual health coach service it had been developing under the codename 'Project Mulberry.'
Apple Is Scaling Back Plans for AI-Based Health Coach Service - Bloomberg
Apple Health+ scaled back internally, will be incremental releases
https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/02/06/apple-health-scaled-back-internally-will-focus-on-incremental-features-instead
Apple reportedly scales back plans for AI-powered health coach - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2026/02/05/apple-reportedly-scales-back-plans-for-ai-powered-health-coach/
Project Mulberry, formerly known as Project Quartz, was initially expected to be released in iOS 19.4. This feature was said to be an AI service that would monitor users' health in various areas, including sleep, nutrition, and physical therapy, and provide appropriate guidance.
Apple plans to revolutionize healthcare by offering 'AI doctors' - GIGAZINE
However, Bloomberg reports that Apple has made a change in its approach following organizational changes that saw the departure of longtime Healthcare leader Jeff Williams and the addition of Services Chief Eddy Cue to oversee the health and fitness team. Cue reportedly decided to reassess the plan, saying he didn't believe the integrated service was competitive enough with rival apps like Oura and Whoop.
Bloomberg also reports that the new strategy will see the company move away from rolling out one big subscription service and instead release individual features incrementally, which will help it avoid regulatory challenges like the FDA approval process and get features to users faster.
The initiative will reportedly include a feature that uses the iPhone camera to analyze the user's walking style and workout form and provide advice, as well as a diet and nutrition management feature.
Apple has also opened a dedicated studio in Oakland, California, where it has been producing video content from specialists in sleep, nutrition, physical therapy, mental health, cardiology, and other areas. This video content will be used as explanatory material that AI will present along with personalized advice when it detects any concerning trends in a user's heart rate data. The company is also considering strengthening its integration with
Additionally, Apple is also developing an AI chatbot based on an internal system called 'World Knowledge Answers' that will answer questions about well-being. Looking ahead, iOS 27 is expected to allow for more advanced healthcare-related inquiries through a revamped Siri.
Bloomberg said that this change in plan does not mean that development itself will be discontinued, but rather that the company will restructure the plan to provide more practical features over the long term.
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in AI, Smartphone, Posted by log1i_yk