Health

New mockups visualize Apple’s rumored iOS 8 ‘Healthbook’ app

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

A couple of mockup images surfaced on the web today, hoping to visualize what Apple's rumored health-tracking app could look like. A January report from 9to5Mac said that the app, codenamed 'Healthbook,' would gather health and fitness data from iWatch and launch alongside iOS 8.

In its current state, the Healthbook app is said to resemble the UI of Apple's Passbook application, with various cards offering health and fitness data points. This is what designer Carlos Quijano based his concept on, and according to those with knowledge of the app, it's vaguely accurate...

iWatch may have simpler capabilities than initially thought. Disappointed?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2016

According to a new report by Brian Dolan of MobiHealthNews, the rumored Apple wearable device, the iWatch, may have simpler technological capabilities than those high-profile hirings, job ads, patents and rumors would have you believe.

Citing unnamed sources with "limited but direct knowledge," the report claims the iWatch is more of a companion than a standalone device.

In other words, it may require the iPhone for much of its functionality. MobiHealthNews doesn't have an established track record in terms of Apple rumors so the story should be taken with a grain of salt.

On the other hand, the publication did accurately reveal that Apple hired Michael O'Reilly, former chief medical officer and executive vice president of medical affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation...

Exhaustive list details Apple’s recent hires for rumored iWatch project

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Last night we passed along a report from The Wall Street Journal, which featured an interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook talking about the company's past, and its future. And one of the things he harped on was that it has some big things in the pipeline.

A quick look at the rumor mill tells you what some of those things could be: a bigger iPhone, a new Apple TV product, etc. But perhaps the most anticipated unreleased Apple product is the health-sensing, fitness tracking smartwatch known as the iWatch.

We've seen a lot of evidence that Apple is working on a new wearable device, but none of it is more telling than its recent string of medical and fitness expert hires. And 9to5Mac has put together an exhaustive list, detailing what each brings to the table...

Job ad confirms Apple testing health/fitness wearables

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 6, 2014

A new job ad discovered on Apple's website Thursday has pretty much confirmed that the firm is working on and testing some kind of a health and fitness related wearable device. It's the first semi-official confirmation of the rumored iWatch project if I ever saw one. I'm not sure if this is an unintentional slip up and why Apple would want to make this particular call for job applicants public.

Regardless, it's now clear that Tim Cook & Co. have been staffing up with a lot of wearable experts from medical, fitness and biosensing fields. The job description mentions expertise in such health activities as cardiovascular fitness and energy expenditure, including “calories burned, metabolic rate, aerobic fitness level measurement/tracking” and more...

Apple reportedly poaches sleep and activity monitoring Philips expert for iWatch team

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In another round of high-profile corporate hires, Apple has apparently poached a sleep research expert from the Dutch technology company Philips.

Specifically, Roy J.E.M Raymann used to lead sleep research at Philips Research, the company's research and development arm. Not anymore: it's now assumed he joined Apple's iWatch team.

According to a new report, this particular guy is experienced in wearables, sensors and non-pharmacological methods of improving sleep quality, an indication that Apple's rumored wearable project will be much, much more than a smartwatch...

CARROT Fit review: get weight loss support that will make you cry

Lory Gil ∙ February 4, 2014

The CARROT series of apps will either make you giggle or angry. Personally, I am part of the former category. I laugh all the time when that smarmy lady tells me what to do every morning.

CARROT Fit is the weight loss version of the verbally abusive personal assistant. Not only will she call you “flabby,” no matter how skinny you are, but she will also berate you for keeping or gaining any weight. Think about that the next time you eat a Twinkie after 9 o'clock…

Health & fitness tracking features said to headline iOS 8

Cody Lee ∙ January 31, 2014

Over the past year or so, Apple has been hiring a number of doctors and other experts in the medical field to work on an unknown project. And up until now, we've known little about its plans outside of recurring iWatch speculation.

But a new report out this afternoon may help shed some light on what it's been working on. Apparently health and fitness tracking are going to be headlining features of iOS 8, and they're expected to play well with Apple's smartwatch...

Another medical device expert joins Apple to work on unknown project

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Apple continues to add to its mysterious team of medical device experts, with the latest report exposing the hiring of Michael O'Reilly, the former chief medical officer and executive VP of medical affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation.

For those unfamiliar with the term, pulse oximetry is a non-invasive and accurate way of measuring your pulse by monitoring oxygen saturation in the blood stream. And some folks have speculated that O'Reilly is using his expertise on the iWatch...

CES 2014: introducing Voyce, health and activity tracking collar for dogs

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 4, 2017

We've seen all sorts of crazy stuff coming out of CES 2014 (the hype machine is strong) and I'm guessing half of the announced, shown off and written about whiz-bang gadgets will get forgotten as soon as the last drunken journalist checks out of an overpriced Las Vegas hotel.

The Voyce isn't one of such easily forgettable products. If you love dogs and own one, I'm guessing your four-legged pet friend would love to wear this app-enabled collar that can track his activity, measure heart and respiratory rates and record other data pertaining to his wellbeing..

CES 2014: Withings unveils new ‘Aura’ smart sleep tracking system

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

Continuing on with our day one coverage of CES, we have Withings. The France-based consumer electronics company, which made a name for itself with its Wi-Fi body scale, announced a new connected device today called the Aura.

Withings calls the Aura a 'smart sleep system,' and says it's designed to both monitor and positively impact your sleep experience. It does this by leveraging a combination of sensors, ambient lighting, a little science and a mobile app...

Fitbit updated with MobileTrack feature via iPhone 5s’s M7 motion coprocessor

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 30, 2013

The list of apps enabled for Apple's power-efficient motion tracking chip, the M7, just keeps on growing. Fitbit, one of the finest fitness apps in the App Store, has been bumped up to version 2.1, now available in the App Store, and can now use the iPhone 5s's motion tracking chip to monitor your activity without draining your device's battery or having the app active for that matter.

M7 support has also made possible a new MobileTrack feature that allows you to use some of Fitbit's tracking features, but without buying the company's wearable tracking accessories. More on that and other changes in this Fitbit update right below...

Apple researching hover touch sensing and embedded heart rate monitoring

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 4, 2016

A pair of patent applications filed with the United States Patent & Trademark Office earlier in the week have hinted that Apple's iPhone could gain a new sensor letting the smartphone detect your cardiac signal when it's picked up. The invention would permit your iPhone to identify you by your heartbeat.

Furthermore, the company appears to be researching hover sensing technology like that found on Samsung's Galaxy S4, which is capable of detecting touch events even when a user's finger is not really in contact with the touchscreen...