(Bloomberg) — Apple Inc.'s plan to add a blood pressure monitor to its smartwatch has had some drawbacks, and the technology is not anticipated to be ready before 2024, for any time soon, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
The company has teams that are working on an updated sensor and software for the Apple Watch that would determine if a user has high blood pressure, but accuracy has been a challenge during testing, people said, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. The feature has been planned for at least four years, but there are probably two more to go before it hits the market and could be delayed until 2025, they said.
Blood pressure functions may become a key selling point for smartwatches in the coming years, but it hasn't been easy to master the technology. Although Apple rivals such as Samsung Electronics Co. have released watches with the capability, they require monthly calibration with a traditional monitor. Last year, Fitbit, from Alphabet Inc., launched a public study to test the measurement of blood pressure on the pulse.
The iPhone maker is testing its blood pressure technology on employees. Their approach will not report specific systolic and diastolic readings — the numbers used to assess blood pressure — but would warn users that they might have hypertension and that they should see a doctor or use a standard blood pressure meter.
The company also has equipment to add non-invasive blood sugar control to the watch, a measure that could be of great help to diabetics. That feature is still several years away and it does not yet have a target year of release. Meanwhile, the company is discussing adding enhanced support for third-party glucose meters to the iPhone's watch and Health app.
While Apple's blood pressure and glucose features are still far away, the company is working on other updates that will be released earlier. That includes new drug management, women's health, sleep, and fitness features.
An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
Apple Watch has become a vital piece of Apple's hardware lineup since its launch in 2015. It is part of the company's home and accessories division. Sales in the segment increased 25% last year to $38.4 billion, more revenue than the Mac or iPad generates.
The company plans to add a body temperature sensor to the watch starting this year. The feature, which Bloomberg first reported last year, would initially be designed to help with fertility planning. Future versions of the watch could expand the feature to determine if a user has a higher body temperature than normal, but, as with blood pressure, it is unlikely that it will show an actual measurement.
Apple Targets Watch Blood-Pressure Tool for 2024 After Snags (1)
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