The most recent novelty we have in the AirPods range has been discreet but symbolic: the AirPods Pro 2 now have a USB-C port in their case to adapt to the new European laws. But if we look at all the rumors that have been leaking about the future of AirPods, we can deduce an important turn of the wheel about the improvements they can bring.
Because yes, these improvements will include higher audio quality or active sound cancellation, or autonomy. But Apple wants AirPods to also become a health accessory and accompany the Apple Watch in the task of monitoring our vital signs.
These rumors have been leaking for a long time, although the most recent thing that has been discussed came from Mark Gurman at the beginning of summer. The Bloomberg editor has come to distinguish between some of the main new functions that Apple would be preparing.
Hearing tests: let your AirPods also be your hearing aids
Apparently future AirPods could include a series of audio tests to determine the hearing ability of its users. With age, this ability is lost, and with it, important parts of the audio we are listening to are no longer perceived.
For this reason, at Apple Park they have thought about helping users detect these hearing problems and even get to use AirPods as headphones and amplify the sounds that the user needs to have a higher quality of life. If they do it well, they could follow in the footsteps of what has been achieved with blind people and “attack” a hearing aid market that has not made great advances in a long time.
“Fever has been detected. Maybe you should go home”
The most modern Apple Watches already have sensors to determine the body temperature of their users, but at the moment it is a data that is used more for women who want to take their fertility into account. For detect if a user has a low-grade fever More precision is needed, and that could be achieved by the AirPods themselves.
And the ear is a good point on the body to take that temperature, just as some thermometers already do. AirPods capable of this could regularly record that temperature and Let us know if we have a low-grade fever. Ideal for when we think we feel sick and take medicine more reliably.
Other older rumors also talk about light sensors, which could also add the possibility of measuring users’ blood oxygen and thus be a complement to what the Apple Watch does. Some AirPods may also become good sports companions, beyond medical possibilities. Either way, It would be one more addition to the advantages of Apple headphones over those of the competition. And one more example that integration is everything.
Images | Omid Armin, Jacinto Diego
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