A Korean report claims that an Apple Watch blood sugar sensor will be included with the Series 7 device when it is launched later this year.
As health applications are a major selling point of the Apple Watch, the Cupertino business has long been expected to expand its medical capabilities …
Background
When Apple first launched the Apple Watch, the company primarily marketed it as an easy way to view and respond to notifications. However, it quickly became apparent that it was the health and fitness characteristics that were driving the sales, and Apple adjusted its messages and product development focus accordingly.
CEO Tim Cook initially suggested the company would be wary of adding medical capabilities to the watch because it feared the need for FDA approval could hinder innovation.
We do not want to put the watch through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) process. I would not mind putting something next to the watch through it, but not the watch because it will keep us from innovating too much, the cycles are too long. But you can envision other things that might be connected to it – maybe an app, maybe something else.
However, in response to customer demand, Cook changed his mind. The company added ECG functionality to the Watch in 2018, including Afib detection – and last year, blood oxygen saturation added to the capabilities of the Series 6.
Apple Watch Blood Sugar Sensor
A blood sugar sensor is an obvious next step. The American Diabetes Association estimates that more than 10% of Americans have type 1 diabetes, and that more than 26 million of them are undiagnosed. The addition of a blood glucose sensor to the Apple Watch can play a very valuable role in leading to formal testing, diagnosis and treatment.
‘A ET News reports claim that both the Apple Watch Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 will be able to measure blood sugar when each is released later this year.
Samsung Electronics will be equipped with a blood glucose measuring function in the new smart watch ‘Galaxy Watch 4’ (provisional name) which will be launched in the second half of this year. It is a sampling method that detects the blood glucose level without blood collection using an optical sensor, and is expected to contribute to the health management of the general public as well as diabetics. […]
Not only Samsung Electronics but also Apple is applying the blood glucose metering feature to the Apple Watch 7 which will be launched this year. Because the related patent technology is secure, it focuses on ensuring reliability and stability before making the technology available.
It is not clear at this stage whether the existing infrared sensor can also act as a blood glucose detector. You can already buy affordable home devices that sync with your iPhone and Apple Watch, but that depends on small pins. The current focus is on non-invasive detection, and this can be achieved via infrared sensors.
The heart sensor in all Apple Watches can act as an O2 sensor, but Apple has reserved this feature for the Series 6. Although it seems that the same sensor can also measure blood sugar, the company can follow the same approach and it is an exclusive series of 7 for marketing reasons.
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