You’re going about your day when suddenly your watch alerts you that something’s not quite right with your heart rate.
Or you’re biking through a remote area, you crash, and your device automatically calls for help.
That used to sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, right? Well, not anymore. It’s happening right now, thanks to health tech.
While it seems like everyone else is chasing the AI hype, Apple is focusing on saving lives with some incredible innovations, from sleep apnea tracking with the latest Apple Watch Series 10 to turning your AirPods Pro into a hearing aid.
Apple’s future in a big way, is their role as a health tech company. You’ve probably noticed that in recent keynotes, they highlight stories of how their products literally saved lives.
Whether it’s a safety feature or an early health warning, Apple is putting health at the heart of their innovation strategy.
But does that mean Apple is ahead of the game?
Apple Watch
Over the years, it’s evolved from just being a smartwatch into a true health guardian.
Let’s not forget during almost every Apple keynote, they emphasise how their health features have actually saved lives.
They share stories of people whose Apple Watch detected an abnormal heart rate, prompting them to visit a doctor and catch potentially life-threatening conditions early.
In fact, Apple’s been so good at this that it’s becoming a part of their brand identity. It’s not just a tech gadget anymore, it’s a device that could genuinely save your life. Now with sleep apnea detection on the Series 10, Apple is taking health monitoring to another level.
Using the watch’s sensors, to not only gather your vital metrics, track your sleep, listen to your heart, track your fitness training and if you’re female, understand your cycles.
Early detection of anything that could be detrimental to your health, could lead to quicker treatment, improving not just the quality of life but potentially saving it.
While it’s not just all about the health features when it comes to the Apple Watch, it’s also important to talk about the crucial safety features that come with the Apple Watch. These aren’t just convenient, they can literally save lives in emergencies.
The Emergency SOS feature. With just a press and hold of the side button, your Apple Watch can automatically call emergency services and send your location to your trusted contacts.
Whether you’re out for a run or hiking in a remote area, this feature can be a lifesaver, especially if you can’t get to your phone.
Let’s not forget Crash Detection. Using built-in sensors, the Apple Watch can detect if you’ve been in a serious car accident. It’ll automatically notify emergency services and share your exact location, giving you peace of mind when you’re behind the wheel.
Apple’s thought about more everyday situations too. The location-sharing feature allows you to send your live location to trusted contacts.
Say you’re walking home late or in an unfamiliar place, this ensures that someone always knows where you are, just in case.
These features might sound simple, but in the moments when it really matters, they can make all the difference. Apple is making sure that wherever you are, your safety is just a tap, or a crash detection away.
AirPods
The AirPods, you might think of them primarily as audio gear, but Apple is integrating health features here as well. Did you know they (AirPods Pro 2) can function as an assistive hearing device?
The transparency mode in these is the best I’ve personally used in any in ear headphones without sounding artificial.
In a feature coming soon to the AirPods Pro 2, the ability to take a hearing test and benefit from hearing aid features just by using your AirPods, which is a game-changer for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
This is another area where Apple is quietly blending consumer tech with healthcare solutions.
As this has now been approved by the FDA in the US as a hearing assistive device, this is an example of the blurring of the lines between consumer gadgets and medical-grade products.
The Apple Keynote
Something that’s become a signature of Apple’s keynotes is their focus on real-life stories where Apple products have made the difference between life and death.
Remember those moments when they play testimonials from people who say, My Apple Watch notified me about a dangerously high heart rate, or, I was alerted to a fall and emergency services were automatically contacted?
These aren’t just marketing gimmicks. Apple’s devices are actually helping people avoid medical crises.
One story from an Apple event showed how a man’s life was saved when his Apple Watch detected atrial fibrillation.
Another story featured a cyclist who was in a severe accident, and the Watch’s Fall Detection feature automatically called for help.
These moments are powerful because they showcase that Apple isn’t just building cool gadgets, they’re building tech that’s proactive in protecting your health.
There are going to be many people watching their events thinking to themselves, that could be me in that situation, I might just go and buy it.
Yes, Apple ultimately wants to sell you their products, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have a vested interested in allowing you to be aware of your own condition or your own safety.
Apple Health App
Apple’s health tech isn’t limited to the Watch or AirPods. It’s all about the entire ecosystem working together.
The Apple Health app on iPhone or iPad syncs your data, from your workouts to your heart rate, to your sleep, and even medication reminders.
It’s a hub for managing your wellness, connecting seamlessly with products like the Apple Watch and Fitness+. The Health app gives you a complete picture of your well-being, offering personalised recommendations.
It’s not just reactive healthcare, Apple is designing an ecosystem that helps prevent issues before they arise. This means better monitoring, more data for your healthcare provider, and in some cases, like we’ve heard, a literal lifesaver.
Companies like Google and Samsung are making progress, but their focus still feels more heavily centred around AI and smart assistants. Google has integrated Fitbit into their ecosystem, but it’s not as tightly woven as Apple’s health offerings. Samsung’s wearables have some great health features, but they haven’t quite matched the medical accuracy and life-saving capabilities of the Apple Watch, but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t stories out there from people who have been saved by their devices made by other manufacturers.
Apple is focusing on how AI can enhance health data, like using machine learning to analyse your sleep patterns or detect heart irregularities.
While AI is a big buzzword in tech, Apple is using it quietly, behind the scenes to make meaningful improvements in health monitoring. Other companies are catching up, but Apple’s early start and focus on integrating health tech into everyday devices give them a significant advantage.
Privacy
One reason people trust Apple with their health data is their commitment to privacy. Your data is encrypted and stored securely on your device, and Apple has a strict no-sell policy when it comes to sharing your health information with advertisers.
In a world where data privacy is more important than ever, this is a major factor for many users.
The future of Health Tech
Looking forward, the potential for Apple to expand even further into health tech is huge.
With the Vision Pro, we could see more immersive health applications, like guided fitness programs, mental health monitoring, or even physiotherapy sessions in a virtual environment. Imagine getting a virtual face to face doctor’s check-up or training session without ever leaving your living room.
Apple isn’t just competing in the tech space, they’re setting a new standard for how personal health can be integrated into our daily lives.
Whether it’s sleep apnea tracking, life-saving heart rate notifications, or turning AirPods into hearing aids, they’re redefining what we should expect from our tech.
Other companies are making strides, but Apple’s ability to focus on meaningful health innovations, while backing it up with real-life stories of saved lives, puts them ahead of the pack.
I think it would be great for the likes of Samsung and Google to catch up and have more emphasis of health tech across their whole ecosystems, because that in turn is great for everyone.
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