“Apple continues work on iOS 8, but its latest developer release underlines the importance of new sensor technologies to its plans,” Jonny Evans reports for Computerworld.
“Recent iOS 8 builds have included HealthKit-related frameworks for: Altitude, humidity and temperature, air pressure, heart rate, glucose levels, [and] hydration levels,” Evans reports. “The headline HealthKit feature within the latest beta is support for Spirometry data. Spirometry tests diagnose lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To do such a test you blow into a spirometer, suggesting new iOS-compatible accessories for medical use.”
“Inclusion of support for such data doesn’t necessarily mean Apple’s future devices will support cheap spirometer accessories, but certainly shows the company hopes its iOS products will be used by medical professionals, presumably as a do-it-all device for most common medical tests,” Evans reports. “The new beta adds the capacity to access key medical data such as allergies or blood type through the Lock screen. Sections for Diagnostics, Fitness, Lab Results, Medications, Nutrition, Sleep and Vital signs are also included in the app. iOS 8 beta 5 HealthKit enhances support for workouts, galvanic skin response, [and] electrodermal activity.”
Much more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Brawndo Drinker” for the heads up.]
This is going to be huge!
“galvanic skin response” – I can see a lot of problems for politicians.
Journalist: “Sir, could you answer the question?”
Politician: “Sorry, until I get this damn iWatch off, I can not tell a lie.”
Holy hell.
The reckoning is coming for the copiers.
Having your blood type as info on the lock screen in case of an emergency is a complete waste. Hospitals are required to do a type and cross match before any blood transfusion.
Knowing that information will in fact save a lot of time in all sorts of ways and In emergencies invaluable.
You know how Version 1 Apple hardware always lacks seemingly essential capacity, like a camera on the first iPad, or apps, 3G, and a face-facing camera on the first iPhone? Well, I’m starting to think that the first iWatch might not actually be able to measure much of anything amazing — certainly not what the list above suggests.
What I’m hearing here is that iOS wants to be the central repository for health data, but not that an iOS device has to be generating it.
So your pinprick glucose meter will be able to send the data to your iPhone/iPad/Mac. But the iWatch won’t be measuring your glucose. So also for COPD. So also for nutrition, weight, and maybe even humidity, temperature, etc. All of these could be kept on the device and tracked without an iWatch measuring them.
The data would come from other sources. (“Siri, I just ate a half pound burger for lunch with fries and an iced tea.” Plus a connected scale, a weather app, a dedicated glucose measurer, a dedicated breathing testing machine, etc.) It’s a good vision, but makes me kind of sad to think that the mega-device I’ve been imagining is probably — no definitely — not going to happen by October.
Fingers crossed for liquidmetal and sapphire. Why? Because they’re cool.
Your iPhone just became a medical tricorder, Dr. McCoy…