Apple AirPods Could Potentially Surpass the Apple Watch as a Health Tracker

According to biosensor expert Steven LeBoeuf, Apple’s AirPods have the potential to become its most significant fitness tracker.

It’s been suggested that it’s easier to measure vital signs such as heart rate, temperature, and pulse from the ear rather than the wrist.

It’s further noted that people are already accustomed to wearing devices like hearing aids and wireless earphones.

An attendee wears the Apple AirPod wireless headphones during an event in San Francisco, California, on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016.

David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images

An attendee wears the Apple AirPod wireless headphones during an event in San Francisco, California, on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016.

Apple’s focus on health has largely been through its smartwatch, which tracks various metrics including steps and heart rate.

However, medical industry experts suggest that one of its other devices, the AirPod wireless headphones, holds untapped potential.

Steven LeBoeuf, an electrical engineer, noted, “I always say that there are two places where we can measure everything: The ear and the rear.”

LeBoeuf, co-founder and president of Valencell, a company developing bio-sensors for various brands, emphasized that the ear is gaining significant interest from leading technology companies.

The ear’s stability makes it an ideal spot for measuring vital signs like heart rate, temperature, and pulse, unlike wrist-worn devices that are prone to shifting around, impacting accuracy.

Additionally, the ear provides a stronger blood flow signal, making it easier to track heart rate.

Moreover, the widespread use of earpieces, such as hearing aids and wireless headsets, especially among runners and gym-goers, adds to the potential for health and fitness tracking through the ear.

LeBoeuf suggested that a future AirPod or a similar device outlined in recent patent filings could potentially surpass the Apple Watch as the company’s most advanced health tracker, speculating, “If there’s a big advancement in wearable tech for Apple, my bet is that it will be an ear-worn device and not a wrist-worn one.”

 

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