As the world's best investment manager and financial market's journalist, you cannot afford to miss this groundbreaking news from the US Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has just approved sleep apnea detection on the latest Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Watch Ultra 2. This approval comes just four days before the highly anticipated release of the Series 10 on September 20.
During last week's iPhone 16 event, Apple announced this new feature, which will be included in the upcoming watchOS 11 release. Once activated, the feature will analyze 10 nights of sleep tracking data over a 30-day period to determine if the user may have sleep apnea. It will also provide insights into nightly sleep disturbances using the on-board accelerometer.
The FDA categorizes this feature as an "over-the-counter device to assess risk of sleep apnea." It is important to note that this addition is not a diagnostic tool, but rather a tool to prompt users to seek a formal diagnosis from a healthcare provider. Sleep apnea, a condition where breathing becomes shallower or stops repeatedly during the night, is associated with various symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, daytime sleepiness, and other long-term health issues.
While Apple is not the first to offer this feature, with Withings and Samsung also providing similar capabilities, this approval marks a significant milestone in wearable technology.
However, this news comes at a time when another feature, blood oxygen detection, has been disabled on Apple Watches in the U.S. due to an ongoing patent dispute.
In conclusion, this FDA approval for sleep apnea detection on Apple Watches could have a significant impact on both the healthcare and wearable technology industries. It is a step towards empowering users to take control of their health and seek proper medical attention when needed. As an investor or consumer, this development could influence your investment decisions and even your daily health routines. Stay informed and stay ahead of the curve with this groundbreaking news.