Kuo: Apple Watch Series 7 Missed Body Temperature Monitoring Due to Algorithm Problems, but Feature Could Still Come to Series 8

[MacRumors]

Apple canceled plans to add a body temperature sensor to the Apple Watch Series 7, but the feature could come to the Apple Watch Series 8 instead, according to reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a thread of tweets, Kuo explained that Apple originally intended to offer a body temperature measurement feature with the Apple Watch Series 7 models, but the company shelved the plans when the body temperature algorithm it had developed failed to meet requirements before the device entered the engineering validation testing (EVT) phase last year.

Kuo believes that the upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 could feature body temperature monitoring, providing "the algorithm can meet Apple's high requirements before mass production."

The problems Apple has experienced relating to body temperature measurement purportedly relate to the fact that skin temperature quickly varies based on the environment, and since a smartwatch cannot monitor core body temperature using hardware, the feature is heavily dependent on an algorithm that produces accurate results.

Kuo added that Samsung is experiencing similar challenges with body temperature measurement, noting that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 may not come with a body temperature monitoring feature due to algorithmic limitations.

Both Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman have previously discussed how the 2022's Apple Watches were likely to offer body temperature monitoring capabilities, but rumors related to the feature have quietened in recent times. Kuo's comments today appear to raise further doubts around whether the feature will actually debut with the Apple Watch Series 8 later this year.

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

Article Link: Kuo: Apple Watch Series 7 Missed Body Temperature Monitoring Due to Algorithm Problems, but Feature Could Still Come to Series 8

 

[t0rqx]

Cool, but not really making me want to upgrade from a say series 5 or 6.

 

[SnakeEater1993]

Blood glucose and blood pressure ...THESE things are going to save lives.

 

[polyphenol]

While I would very much like to see body temperature added, it needs to be consistent. Mind, existing thermometers have their issues - varying by bodily location and technology as well as needed appropriately careful techniques. I can imagine that the results of a watch (whoever makes it) will have some difference to ear, mouth, underarm, rectal, etc.

Am wondering how an arm device can cope with the hunter reaction and other ways we cope with varying environments.

I am generally more interested in the possibility of identifying low body temperatures. I hope Apple don't have some arbitrary low end to detection/interpretation.

I'm also wondering if the processor will reduce from 7nm? Might help a bit with battery life. I guess it can't jump to 3nm given the TSMC calendar of process scaling.

 

[senttoschool]

Probably because of WFH employees. Get them back to the office ASAP.

Edit: I'm absolutely not kidding. All the delays and bugs over the last 2.5 years must have a lot to do with employees "working" from home. This is why Cook and other big tech companies are so adamant that employees return to office. They clearly all have strong internal evidence that shows execution has been lacking since COVID.

 

[Unami]

Sure, measuring variety in body temperature to determine fertile days is a nice feature. But, honestly, I don't get it why accurate temperature measurement is not an airpods feature. I'd rather have air-temperature on the watch.

 

[Nozuka]

Feels like something that would be more accurate in the AirPods...

 

[SilenceBroken]

I have a S3... I think It'll be at least another generation or two before a worthy/needed update.

 

[polyphenol]

Sure, measuring variety in body temperature to determine fertile days is a nice feature. But, honestly, I don't get it why accurate temperature measurement is not an airpods feature. I'd rather have air-temperature on the watch.

Not saying it couldn't be done with AirPods, but I certainly wouldn't want them stuck in my ears all night. If I don't do that, I'd not see temperature oddities which occur overnight.

(I'd not even want anything in my ears most of the time I am not in bed either. But at least we could put them in/take them out as often as we wish.)

In some countries, rectal is strongly advocated. Let's see what Apple can do...

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Cool, but not really making me want to upgrade from a say series 5 or 6.

I might have to upgrade from my series 5. My battery life is terrible after 2.5 years.

 

[Unami]

I have a S3... I think It'll be at least another generation or two before a worthy/needed update.

I went from a S0-watch to S6. Some updates, a little faster and a few gimmicks like EKG and Oximeter - but essentialy it still feels like a minor upgrade to me - probably going to wait for S10-S12 for the next one.

 

[alpi123]

Lol, very safe use of words from Kuo.
"Could" and "if it meets requirements before production"

Basically don't blame him if it doesn't happen, but if it does - give him all the credit.

 

[Eriamjh1138@DAN]

I went from a S0-watch to S6. Some updates, a little faster and a few gimmicks like EKG and Oximeter - but essentialy it still feels like a minor upgrade to me - probably going to wait for S10-S12 for the next one.

Unless you stayed at watch OS 2.x, I’m calling you a liar.
For me, 3.x was a performance killer on my S0. Every touch took seconds to react.

There’s no way the watch 6 doesn’t feel faster unless you just use it to tell time.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Feels like something that would be more accurate in the AirPods...

While a lot of AirPods owners wear their AirPods for several hours every day, you can't really use body temperature measurements for a lot if they're not measuring for all or most of the day (and night).

Apple Watch can, theoretically, be worn day and night. The earpieces themselves cannot be worn during sleep nor do they have the battery capacity to both play audio and take body temperature for 12-24 hours.

Apple Watch is the only current Apple device where body temperature measurements would be useful.

I only see AirPods as being useful for boosting body temperature accuracy. But doing a Watch + AirPod combo for added accuracy would probably lead to consumers wearing their AirPods around the clock and wearing out batteries long before warranty has run out.

Probably far from the user-experience Apple usually strives for.

tldr: AirPods are too small and can't be worn around the clock. It wouldn't work.

 

[syklee26]

This would’ve been a huge marketing tool during the pandemic, but it seems like a missed opportunity.

 

[azentropy]

This would’ve been a huge marketing tool during the pandemic, but it seems like a missed opportunity.

Nah, unfortunately there will be another one (pandemic).

 

[No5tromo]

Blood glucose and blood pressure ...THESE things are going to save lives.

Even if they are not super accurate but they can just provide an indication that something might be off I would buy this for my mother right away.

 

[Robert.Walter]

Unless you stayed at watch OS 2.x, I’m calling you a liar.
For me, 3.x was a performance killer on my S0. Every touch took seconds to react.

There’s no way the watch 6 doesn’t feel faster unless you just use it to tell time.

Agree. I went from 0 to 6. Happy with all the differentiation in size features performance.

 

[EugW]

I just want a thinner Apple Watch.

The 10.7 mm thickness of my Series 5 (and the current Series 7) is just far, far too thick.

 

[leonremi]

Probably because of WFH employees. Get them back to the office ASAP.

i assume there was some form of weird sarcasm in your words?
Were you trying to make a point there?

 

[Howyalikdemapls]

I went from a S0-watch to S6. Some updates, a little faster and a few gimmicks like EKG and Oximeter - but essentialy it still feels like a minor upgrade to me - probably going to wait for S10-S12 for the next one.

I went from S2 to S5 and it’s night and day. The series 2 was so slow it was laughable, and the battery only lasted about half the day. I love my S5 but am still hoping to upgrade to the S8 if there are some worthy changes. I decided to skip the S6, so when the S7 was discovered to be essentially the same as the S6 I decided to skip the S7 too. Really hopeful S8 brings something new to the table or at least a faster processor and better battery life.

 

[Yammabot]

The Apple Watch is a very slow moving device, two years of pandemic where temperature is an everyday thing for all. You’d think it would be a priority but hey real life is not very profitable.

 

[gravage]

Kuo is a quack and usually wrong. Stop giving him so much press. He doesn't deserve it.

 

[senttoschool]

i assume there was some form of weird sarcasm in your words?
Were you trying to make a point there?

Absolutely not. It's been shown and proven over and over again that remote/hybrid destroys creativity which is what R&D is about.

For my personal experience, my silicon valley tech company has definitely decreased a notch in creativity and efficiency while WFH/hybrid.

 

[Jim Lahey]

If you don't have a fever and you're not dead then chances are your body temperature is fine. Happy to help.