Apple Touts Next Week's Launch of Apple Watch ECG Feature in Taiwan

[MacRumors]

Apple is touting next week's launch of its Apple Watch electrocardiogram (ECG) feature in Taiwan, following the upcoming release of watchOS 7.2 and iOS 14.3.

In a newsroom update on its regional Taiwanese website, Apple says the ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 and subsequent models will be launched in Taiwan via iOS 14.3 and watchOS 7.2 from Tuesday, December 15, Taiwan time.

The ECG feature, which is now available in nearly 50 countries for Apple Watch Series 4, 5, and 6, allows users to directly measure electrical heart activity by simply placing their finger on the Digital Crown for 30 seconds. The irregular heart rhythm feature intermittently measures the user's heart rate in the background and sends a notification if it detects an anomaly it categorizes as atrial fibrillation, which can be a serious heart arrhythmia condition.

Both features are considered medical diagnostics, and so they require approval from regulators in each country where they are to be made available, a requirement that has slowed the rollout of the features.

Apple says the app has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration of Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare as a Class II software for medical devices (SaMD).

iOS 14.3 and watchOS 7.2 are expected to be released on Monday, December 14, which is also the day that Apple Fitness+ is coming out. The new software also introduces new ECG capabilities that allow the ECG app to check for atrial fibrillation (AFib) at higher heart rates.

Article Link: Apple Touts Next Week's Launch of Apple Watch ECG Feature in Taiwan

 

[I7guy]

The ECG, a great feature, for sure...but what struck me was “touts.”

 

[mariusfanu]

Curios to see how long will this rollout process take, to realise it worldwide

 

[mintier]

Obligatory "When will ECG finally arrive in Australia?"

 

[BootLoxes]

I see you are surrounding Japan. Might as well flip that switch and let us have it

 

[Malus120]

I see you are surrounding Japan. Might as well flip that switch and let us have it

FFS for real.
I was so excited when they FINALLY got regulatory approval in Japan... only for them to not add the feature and subsequently add it in other countries... 🤬

I understand there’s not a whole lot they could do about Japan’s slow regulatory process, but unless there is some thing we don’t know, The balls been in Apple’s court for a while

 

[richard779]

In the mean time.... back in Australia, we are still waiting for ECG!!!

so comes Apple Watch Series 8 maybe that’s when the Australian will have it...... if lucky.

 

[xingyu.liang]

China! China! China!

 

[zz_nosa_r]

*cries with the koalas in Australia* still no ECG.

 

[bobob]

In the mean time.... back in Australia, we are still waiting for ECG!!!

Apple is holding back the ECG feature just to spite Australians - - they hate Australian money.

It has absolutely nothing to do with Australian regulatory approval.

 

[BootLoxes]

FFS for real.
I was so excited when they FINALLY got regulatory approval in Japan... only for them to not add the feature and subsequently add it in other countries... 🤬

I understand there’s not a whole lot they could do about Japan’s slow regulatory process, but unless there is some thing we don’t know, The balls been in Apple’s court for a while

I was expecting it with the korea update honestly. It was a surprise to see it not go through

 

[duplu]

Excellent feature. My watch woke me up at 8am last Sunday to say that my BPM had risen to 125 overnight and then proceeded to tell me I was possibly in atrial fibrillation. A quick text to my daughter (who is studying to be a doctor) and a call to NHS 111 and they referred me to a walk-in centre across the road. One ECG later and I was driven to the emergency department of the local hospital. Confirmed atrial fibrillation and I am now the recipient of another drug to add to my cocktail for my heart.

 

[LeadingHeat]

The ECG, a great feature, for sure...but what struck me was “touts.”

Haha yeah me too. Surely just the language of the MR content writer for today. From Apple’s perspective it was just a minor announcement haha

 

[I7guy]

Haha yeah me too. Surely just the language of the MR content writer for today. From Apple’s perspective it was just a minor announcement haha

I was thinking "touts" is such a smarmy word.