Apple has announced a significant update focused on improving users’ health, introducing innovative features for Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 2.
Apple Watch Detects Sleep Apnea
Apple Watch takes a leap forward in sleep monitoring with new sleep apnea notifications. This feature utilizes the innovative Breathing Disturbances metric, analyzing accelerometer data to detect subtle movements at the wrist associated with breathing disruptions during sleep.
Expected to receive FDA clearance soon, sleep apnea notifications will be available later this month in over 150 countries, including major regions like the US, EU, and Japan. This groundbreaking feature is compatible with Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2.
AirPods Pro 2: A Comprehensive Hearing Health Experience
The all-new AirPods Pro 2 goes beyond audio, transforming into a comprehensive hearing health solution. Here’s what it offers:
Prevention: The Hearing Protection feature safeguards users from potentially harmful loud environmental noise levels. This combines passive noise reduction with the H2 chip’s active reduction of louder, intermittent noise. This feature is especially helpful in loud settings and will be available this fall.
Awareness: Addressing the often-unidentified issue of hearing loss, AirPods Pro 2 introduces a clinically validated Hearing Test. This convenient, in-home test offers insights into hearing health within minutes.
Assistance: For those with mild to moderate hearing loss, AirPods Pro 2 offers a revolutionary over-the-counter Hearing Aid feature. This feature utilizes the personalized hearing profile generated by the Hearing Test to dynamically adjust surrounding sounds in real-time, enhancing conversation and overall connection with the environment.
The Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features are expected to receive regulatory clearance soon and will be available this fall in over 100 countries, including the US, Germany, and Japan. These features require AirPods Pro 2 with the latest firmware paired with a compatible iPhone or iPad.
Privacy at the Core
Apple prioritizes user privacy in all health features. All health and fitness data within the Health app is encrypted when a user’s device is locked. Additionally, any Health data backed up to iCloud is encrypted in transit and on Apple servers.
Availability
Sleep apnea notifications: Available later this month on Apple Watch Series 9, 10, and Ultra 2 in over 150 countries (requires FDA clearance).
Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features: Available this fall on AirPods Pro 2 with compatible iPhone/iPad (iOS 18 or iPadOS 18) in over 100 countries (requires regulatory clearance).
Hearing Protection feature: Available this fall on AirPods Pro 2 with compatible iPhone/iPad/Mac (requires latest OS).