Apple’s push into the health and fitness segment is not hidden from anyone. Instead of positioning its Apple Watch as a smartwatch, Apple markets it as a device that will keep you safe and track your health on a variety of parameters.
AirPods: The new health accessory?
Now, Apple wants to make another big leap into the segment with AirPods. Gurman says that Apple is working on a hearing test feature that will play different tones into users’ ears and will help Apple determine the hearing capabilities of the user. Apple wants to use the hearing test feature to determine hearing issues in users, similar to how Apple Watch ECG works in detecting heart issues. This could make apps like Mimi lose their relevance. Here’s what Gurman writes in his weekly newsletter: “The company is working on a new hearing test feature that will play different tones and sounds to allow the AirPods to determine how well a person can hear. The idea is to help users screen for hearing issues, not unlike how the Apple Watch ECG app checks for heart problems. The hearing test could “Sherlock” — or make irrelevant — existing apps like Mimi. (Apple held a meeting with its developers a few years ago.)” Apple is also looking for ways to position AirPods as a hearing aid to enter the health and fitness segment with the audio accessory. Features like Conversation Boost and Live Listen help users with hearing disabilities. However, Apple does not have FDA approval for those features, which is why the company cannot market features as “health-focused” Ever since the US Food and Drug Administration made it easier to buy hearing aids over the counter without much hassle, Apple has seen an opportunity. The Cupertino-based company has also hired hearing aid experts in an attempt to turn AirPods into hearing aid of some sort. In addition to the hearing aid, Apple is also developing a feature for AirPods that will allow the device to measure body temperature. Gurman also mentions that Apple will soon switch to USB-C for its products to abide by the new EU laws. We would soon see Apple launching iPhone 15 series with a USB-C port and the same will go for AirPods.
