Apple’s plans for iOS 8 focus on redefining health tracking via mobile devices, according to a new report from
9to5Mac,
which has a terrific track record when it comes to rumors it has
sourced itself. The report details a new marquee application coming in
iOS 8 called “Healthbook” that monitors all aspects of health, fitness
and workout information, including vitals monitored via the new iWatch,
which is said to pack a bevy of sensors and to be “well into
development” according to 9to5Mac’s sources.
The health monitoring app called “Healthbook” will come pre-installed
on iOS 8, which, if true, would be a huge blow to third-party apps
including those made by Fitbit, Nike, Runkeeper and Withings just to
name a few. It would track and report steps, calories burned, distance
walked and more, including weight fluctuations, and blood pressure,
hydration levels, heart rate and more.
Apple’s focus on health in iOS 8 is given credence by a number of new
reports from this week, including the news from the New York Times
earlier today that Apple execs met with the FDA late last year to
discuss mobile medical applications. Apple also reportedly hired Michael
O’Reilly, M.D. away from a position as Chief Medical Officer of Masimo
Corporation in July 2013. O’Reilly is an expert in pulse oximetry among
other things, which is used to non-invasively take key vitals from a
user via optical sensors.
9to5Mac’s report details functionality of the proposed “Healthbook”
app, which, as its name suggests, takes a lot of cues from Passbook.
It’ll offer swipeable cards for each vital stat it tracks, letting users
page through their medical and health information. The report cautions
that this functionality could be taken out prior to the final release of
iOS 8: With the FDA’s involvement, one concern might be getting the
necessary approvals to market the software as a potential medical aid.
As for the iWatch, the new report doesn’t add much in terms of firm
details, but it does suggest we could see a release before year’s end,
and offers that it could feature sensors that provide data to
Healthbook. That app could also use existing third-party monitors and
devices designed for iOS to source data, however. One more tidbit about
the iWatch suggests that maps will be a central feature of the device,
and navigation on the wrist is actually a prime potential advantage of
smartwatch devices that has yet to be properly explored.
We’ve reached out to Apple for comment on these developments, and will update if we learn anything more.
