Apple Watch Series 8 Might Be Able to Tell If You Have a Fever

[MacRumors]

The upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 will be able to tell a wearer if it believes they have a fever due to a higher than normal body temperature thanks to a new built-in sensor, according to Bloomberg's reliable Mark Gurman.

Writing in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman says that the Apple Watch Series 8 will feature a new body temperature sensor, given that the sensor passes Apple's internal testing.

Gurman notes, however, that he believes the sensor is "a go" for both the standard Series 8 and a new "rugged model" designed for athletes. Unlike a traditional dedicated thermometer, the Apple Watch will not give users a direct reading of their current body temperature but will instead directly alert users if it believes they have a fever.

You can expect some new health-tracking features in this year's Apple Watch. In April, I reported that Apple has been aiming to add body-temperature detection to its Series 8 model, assuming the capability passes muster during internal testing. I now believe the feature is a go for both the standard Apple Watch Series 8 and a new rugged edition that's aimed at extreme sports athletes.

In January, Gurman said that internal chatter of a body temperature sensor for the Apple Watch Series 8 had slowed down. Since then, enthusiasm for the feature has apparently increased within Apple, helping push development forward. Apple has frequently added new sensors and health capabilities to the Apple Watch, with the last addition being the blood oxygen sensor in the Apple Watch Series 6.

Besides the new body temperature sensor, the Apple Watch Series 8 is expected to maintain the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7, including the same processor as the Series 6 and 7. Gurman today noted that the Apple Watch Series 8 might include updated displays in the higher-end models.




Article Link: Apple Watch Series 8 Might Be Able to Tell If You Have a Fever

 

[dantracht]

Doesn't sound like an upgrade worth going for from my 7, but more for those of you on older models.

 

[jollydogfellow]

Okay, but will it have an internal cowbell?

 

[Ceecephous]

@Apple
I get it, you invent the need to sell the product for it. Thing is, people already know when you have a fever.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I just bought the Watch Series 7 for my mom. I’m still on my Series 3 and it does about everything I need. The ability to determine if you have a fever is a welcome addition. Not necessarily a reason to buy an Apple Watch. But if you are exposed to COVID and you are getting exposure alerts, this can help you make a smarter decision about what to do faster.

Overall, I feel like internally, the Apple Watch is starting to hit a brick wall. It’s understandable considering the space. They can’t make it any bigger either since it will start to look too abnormal. Creating newer sensors too seem to be a major challenge.

 

[The Mercurian]

Speculating here - if they are doing this with Rockley's sensor: https://www.businesswire.com/news/h...nvolving-Measurement-of-Core-Body-Temperature
... then that means the basic Rockley hardware would be in the watch. Conceivably they could turn on other functions of the Rockley device with software updates.

 

[dgdosen]

Cmon, Apple - blood sugar, blood pressure or go home...

 

[Macalway]

My goodness! A built in thermometer. Now I can be paranoid 24/7.

Thank you Apple!

So many possibilities. Blood pressure, DNA integrity scan.

 

[watchmainspring]

Is anyone else extremely disappointed in the lack of accurate health metrics from the Apple watch? Years ago, it seemed this watch was going to be the ultimate health companion of the future.

 

[Cognizant.]

My goodness! A built in thermometer. Now I can be paranoid 24/7.

Thank you Apple!

So many possibilities. Blood pressure, DNA integrity scan. Even a final notice.

Yes, let's fight for less health options.

 

[Jim Lahey]

I prefer the old fashioned way of being sick...feeling sick.

 

[The Mercurian]

Is anyone else extremely disappointed in the lack of accurate health metrics from the Apple watch? Years ago, it seemed this watch was going to be the ultimate health companion of the future.

Health metrics from a Watch is hard

 

[Arnold Ziffel]

A temperature sensor certainly does not hurt anything. I’m thinking it is a reaction to “safety” culture that has pervaded the world the past 30 months.

 

[Strider64]

Is anyone else extremely disappointed in the lack of accurate health metrics from the Apple watch? Years ago, it seemed this watch was going to be the ultimate health companion of the future.

I have come to the conclusion not to trust the Apple Watch when it comes to health metrics. I once had the AW alert me that I might being having a heart attack and wanted to know if it should call 911? The only problem was it was 6 hours after the fact and at the time I was moving around heavy equipment (which the AW said I wasn't doing anything strenuous 🙄). So I went into the settings and turned that feature off, I rather someone walk up to my dead body than have it call 911 that isn't a real emergency. 😂

 

[Cognizant.]

A temperature sensor certainly does not hurt anything. I’m thinking it is a reaction to “safety” culture that has pervaded the world the past 30 months.

I can see this being useful to prevent heat stroke while exercising outside ... or just as a warning when being in the sun in general. There's a lot of things this can be used for that you might not realize. I don't understand the hate for these health features.

I have come to the conclusion not to trust the Apple Watch when it comes to health metrics. I once had the AW alert me that I might being having a heart attack and wanted to know if it should call 911? The only problem was it was 6 hours after the fact and at the time I was moving around heavy equipment (which the AW said I wasn't doing anything strenuous 🙄). So I went into the settings and turned that feature off, I rather someone walk up to my dead body than have it call 911 that isn't a real emergency. 😂

And then there's the countless other people that it actually helped prevent things like this. Obviously you shouldn't rely on your watch for everything and should try and be acutely aware of your own personal well being, but that doesn't mean it's not useful to some people.

 

[Arnold Ziffel]

Blood glucose and blood pressure would be welcome additions to Apple Watch.

 

[Todd Fisher]

@Apple
I get it, you invent the need to sell the product for it. Thing is, people already know when you have a fever.

For as rare that I ever get a fever, I'm pretty sure that the last time around that I ran one, I was like "hmmm, I think I might be coming down with a fever, let me go find a thermometer".... this would have saved me that step lol.

 

[Cognizant.]

Blood glucose and blood pressure would be welcome additions to Apple Watch.

Yes, this would be game changing if it's done correctly.

 

[LeadingHeat]

So it’s not going to measure basal temperature then? Dang, that was going to get me to pull the trigger to update from my series 4.

 

[The Game 161]

More reason for people to test themselves for covid

 

[honglong1976]

I had a Fitbit Luxe and that could do this. It monitored temp during sleep and was useful during Covid to see my temp go all over the place.

 

[Cromulent]

I'm on the fence. I can get a brand new Apple Watch Series 7 with a 41mm screen for £309. I was going to buy it tomorrow. I don't think this is a reason to delay getting one.

 

[jamesnajera]

Sounds like Oura Ring. Takes a baseline of your temperature and then shows you how your temperature is deviating from baseline. It’s been great for people that have been getting Covid or other illnesses. Almost like a warning before getting sick and a tracker while being sick.

 

[Alon1]

There's a lot of things this can be used for that you might not realize.

The first thing that came to my mind was for women to be able to track their cycle and know when they’re ovulating. Especially useful for women who are trying to get pregnant. I’m surprised no one has said it yet.

Body temp also fluctuates throughout the day and time and is linked to metabolic rate, stress level, circadian cycle, and overall metabolic health.

Of course there may be other ways that this metric can be used that we haven’t thought of yet but since one of the first things a doctor does is check your temperature, I can’t think of a reason why it’s a bad idea to have this on your watch.

 

[Jim Lahey]

I'm on the fence. I can get a brand new Apple Watch Series 7 with a 41mm screen for £309. I was going to buy it tomorrow. I don't think this is a reason to delay getting one.

Have you ever had a fever without feeling sick? If not then you have your answer. We used to know this before 2020 but somehow we forgot…