Another health-related feature is reportedly coming for the Apple Watch soon. Previously, it was already mentioned how Apple was enhancing the sleep monitoring ability of the wearable. Aside from that, there was also the pulse oximeter that will help owners closely monitor their oxygen levels.
Also mentioned in a previous post are other features tied up to mental health. That includes better heart-rate monitoring and detection of unusual anxieties. Probably related to that is the new feature leaked by Jon Prosser, someone who has been conspicuously accurate when it comes to Apple leaks.
Speaking recently at a podcast, Prosser claims that Apple is working on hardware and software that can detect if a person is on the verge of hyperventilating. This is something that normally results once a person experiences an elevated heart rate and shortness of breath. Such would lead to panic attacks.
"They can take the oxygen levels in your blood, with your heart rate, and determine if you're hyperventilating," Prosser said. "They can identify a panic attack before it happens and warn you on your watch. Especially if you're driving, they'll ask you to pull over and they'll offer breathing exercises once you get pulled over. It's incredible."
But similar to other features that the Apple Watch will carry, a big question is how accurate it would be. Regardless, the new features come at the right time with most forced to stay at home. Social isolation has raised questions on the mental health of individuals and the new features should come in handy.
Taken overall, the new features are linked to one another. Sleep issues are linked to anxiety attacks but people who can be monitored and guided could result in better health.
"It seems as though the social isolation is feeding some degrees of anxiety which can be crossed over into a sleep problem, whether you have anxiety as a disorder or not," USF Health Professor and Director of Sleep Medicine Dr. William Anderson said.
It would be best to note that these remain rumors until Apple officially announces the new features for the Apple Watch series. That could go down in June at the WWDC 2020. If nothing is announced, Apple may hold them for now and save them for 2021. With a longer time to prepare, it could allow the company to see how efficient they would be aside from other improvements that the Cupertino company may have in mind.
