Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple is working on heart rate monitoring and temperature sensing for future AirPods.
According to Gurman’s Power On newsletter, the heart rate technology could be ready for the AirPod Pro 3, which is still in “early development.”
Heart rate monitoring on AirPods will let more customers use them for fitness and health reasons without having to wear an Apple Watch. Apple has found the Apple Watch’s heart rate data is “more accurate” than AirPods, but he said the AirPods are “not far off.”
Apple’s upcoming Powerbeats Pro 2 will also monitor your heart rate. You’ll be able to connect the Powerbeats Pro 2 to gym equipment like a treadmill to measure heart rate, and the data will be visible in the Health app and other supported apps.
The AirPods Pro 3 have not yet been announced, but Apple previously announced the Powerbeats Pro 2 will launch in 2025.
Apple plans to add small cameras to future AirPods to enable unspecified AI-powered features, Gurman said. Apple considers this project to be a “priority,” but he estimates it will take many years to complete.
