Apple AirPods Pro 3 is likely to come with new health features. In recent years, Apple has been focused on integrating health features into its iPhones and wearables. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the company is working on adding heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing to the next-generation AirPods Pro.
For the unversed, the Apple Watch already offers features like ECG, SpO2, and heart rate monitoring. Additionally, Apple AirPods recently introduced a hearing aid feature. Now, reports suggest that Apple is looking to expand health capabilities in its earbuds.
While the Apple Watch remains the more accurate device for heart rate tracking, the AirPods are reportedly making progress, with their readings not far behind. These health enhancements mark a significant step in expanding the functionality of Apple's earbuds.
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In addition to health features, Apple is revisiting plans to integrate cameras into the AirPods. This idea, which has surfaced in rumors over the past year, is now a higher priority for the company as it looks to enhance its AI capabilities.
However, Gurman notes that any AirPods with cameras are still years away from being released. In contrast, the heart rate monitoring feature could arrive sooner, potentially debuting in the next generation of AirPods Pro, which are currently in early development.
As mentioned earlier, Apple has previously introduced features for its earbuds aimed at improving accessibility, such as the hearing aid feature with the launch of iOS 18.1. This feature was added to the AirPods Pro 2 to assist users with mild to moderate hearing loss by enhancing audio in real-time. It has received FDA authorization, making it one of the first consumer products to integrate hearing aid technology.
The AirPods Pro 2's hearing aid functionality amplifies frequencies that are often difficult for those with hearing loss to hear, working similarly to traditional hearing aids. In addition, iOS 18.1 brings hearing protection tools that help safeguard users from loud noises. These tools monitor the environment and automatically lower the volume of high-decibel sounds, such as traffic or concert noise, to protect the user's hearing.
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