Body Temp Sensor in Apple Watch Series 8 Looking Unlikely, Suggests Gurman

[MacRumors]

Apple's plan to add a body temperature sensor to the Apple Watch Series 8 is looking increasingly unlikely, based on recent comments made by well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman.

Apple is believed to have originally considered adding a body temperature sensor to last year's Apple Watch Series 7, but that didn't happen, with Bloomberg reporting in June that it would likely be introduced in the 2022 update instead. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also previously expressed optimism that body temperature sensing would be an Apple Watch Series 8 feature.

However, discussing rumored body temperature, blood pressure and blood sugar sensors for Apple Watch in his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman advises: "Don't expect any of these soon."

Body temperature was on this year's roadmap, but chatter about it has slowed down recently. Blood pressure is at least two to three years away, while I wouldn't be surprised if glucose monitoring doesn't land until later in the second half of the decade.

Whenever it does arrive, a body temperature measuring function for Apple Watch would be useful for fertility tracking and keeping track of sleep, and in the future, it could also detect when a user has a fever.

Apple is rumored to be working on a method for non-invasively monitoring blood glucose levels using optical sensors as well, potentially offering sufferers of diabetes a way to manage their condition that would be much easier, as it wouldn't require puncturing the skin.

Earlier this year, Apple was revealed to be the largest customer of the British electronics start-up Rockley Photonics, which develops non-invasive optical sensors for detecting multiple blood-related health metrics, including blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood alcohol levels.

Rockley's disclosure that its biggest client is Apple came about as the company prepared to go public in New York. Given the growth of Rockley Photonics and the scale of Apple's partnership with the company, it seems to be virtually inevitable that the company's health sensor technology will be coming to the Apple Watch at some stage, just not this year.

For everything we know so far about the upcoming Apple Watch Series 8, check out our dedicated guide.

Article Link: Body Temp Sensor in Apple Watch Series 8 Looking Unlikely, Suggests Gurman

 

[joshwenke]

So no body temperature sensor, then what will this watch even have?? Will it be another lackluster launch like the 7?

 

[Motawa]

So no body temperature sensor, then what will this watch even have?? Will it be another lackluster launch like the 7?

Yes

 

[ian87w]

Where's the new SE?

 

[iDento]

Or, maybe they will not update the Apple Watch this year at all. Why would they, there is no competition.

 

[contacos]

so what is Watch Series 8 gonna have then? 0,01 mm thinner?

 

[jz0309]

Looks like I will be happily keep my S7 until at least 2023 ...

 

[boak]

S6 -> S7 was already such a minor update. Essentially was just bigger screen, faster charging and on-screen keyboard.

 

[BigSmurf]

Well, then this year may be focused on the rugged / GShock killer variant. And next year a new sensor.

 

[JM]

It could be no internal update… and then maybe that means major casing update.

 

[JM]

Well, then this year may be focused on the rugged / GShock killer variant. And next year a new sensor.

Apple - No Fear edition.

 

[4jasontv]

S6 -> S7 was already such a minor update. Essentially was just bigger screen, faster charging and on-screen keyboard.

Given it’s a watch, those are all great improvements.

 

[nfl46]

Maybe they should consider 2 year releases at this point. These yearly updates are pointless.

 

[Motawa]

S6 -> S7 was already such a minor update. Essentially was just bigger screen, faster charging and on-screen keyboard.

*keyboard only available in english

 

[fwmireault]

No new health sensor for a second year would be a bummer, given that body temperature is a feature that Apple Watch competitors have implemented recently. Other than a new SoC, I can't think of anything major that can happen to the S8 (maybe a longer battery life, but Apple seems to have a hard time to give anything over 18h battery life)

 

[fwmireault]

*keyboard only available in english

Yeah, I wish Apple would be faster to release a software update with support for more languages, it's a bummer to not be able to take advantage of this feature

 

[LeeW]

A simple thing, give us better battery life.

 

[Itinj24]

I’m wondering what the hold up is with at least a body temp sensor of some sort. My Oura ring was pretty good at detecting trends and fluctuations in body temp and other things. It pretty much knew I was ill when I had COVID. Pretty I impressed and that’s just a ring.

 

[BootsWalking]

Since we're always staring at our phones anyway Apple should implement a forehead infrared temp sensor inside the Face ID sensor complex on the next iPhone.

 

[Motawa]

Yeah, I wish Apple would be faster to release a software update with support for more languages, it's a bummer to not be able to take advantage of this feature

I guess we have to wait until wwdc 22 to hear them announce as a „feature“ in Watch os 9

 

[Motawa]

A simple thing, give us better battery life.

A simple thing, get some knowledge about how tech actually works. Unless there are some breakthroughs on battery tech you won’t ever get better battery life on this Watch if you want the features that it has. Get a watch with less features and voila you have better battery life

 

[polyphenol]

Whenever it does arrive, a body temperature measuring function for Apple Watch would be useful for fertility tracking and keeping track of sleep, and in the future, it could also detect when a user has a fever.

You continue to focus on periods of higher temperature.

Those with some metabolism-affecting disorders, such as hypothyroidism, might be much more concerned about low blood temperatures.

I'd be hopeful that any technology used would be as good and accurate in both directions.

 

[svish]

Might be a minor update this year as well.

 

[polyphenol]

Since we're always staring at our phones anyway Apple should implement a forehead infrared temp sensor inside the Face ID sensor complex on the next iPhone.

Forehead thermometers are often dismissed as probably the least satisfactory technological body temperature measurement technique. I hope they avoid them.

 

[JM]

Maybe they should consider 2 year releases at this point. These yearly updates are pointless.

Sorry for the thumbs down, but are you trying to usher in the end of the world!?