The Apple Watch Series 7, set for release this year, will reportedly have a glucose monitoring feature.
For the longest time, Apple Watch users wanted the device to have a glucose monitoring feature. Many believe that apart from its ECG and blood oxygen reading capabilities, having the ability to monitor blood sugar levels is a great help, particularly for those who have diabetes. They might not wait very long as recent reports indicate that the Apple Watch Series 7 will have a glucose monitoring feature.
Apple Watch 'Series 7' rumor claims glucose monitoring is on the way pic.twitter.com/0SgV7C9j6w — HamacaSoft (@hamacasoft) January 26, 2021
A South Korean report, citing sources from within the Apple supply chain said the Apple Watch is going to have a sensor that will give it the capability of monitoring glucose levels. The report added that the glucose monitoring feature will debut in the device's series 7 model, which is set for launch in the second half of 2021.
A Device For Health Applications
When Apple launched the device several years ago, the Cupertino tech giant pushed it to the market primarily as a handy tool for users to check and respond to notifications. Soon, however, the Apple Watch transformed into a health device, with the introduction of fitness and health features.
As a result, the company adapted to the product development focus and messaging by adding more health-centered apps like heart rate monitoring and ECG readings. In 2021, Apple introduced blood oxygen level monitoring and as rumors indicate, it will soon debut the glucose monitoring feature in Apple Watch Series 7.
Initially, Apple CEO Tim Cook suggested the Cupertino tech giant would be careful in adding medical-related capabilities to the device. He expressed fear that the need for such functions to have an FDA approval might hamper innovation. "We don't want to put the watch through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) process," Cook had said in the past.
The company has moved on from those fears since, adding more medical capabilities like blood oxygen monitoring and as rumors say, a glucose monitoring feature in the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7.
A Change In Direction
Many attribute Tim Cook's change in direction to customer demands as regards Apple Watch functions. While the CEO admits he still worries about the FDA stepping in and hampering innovation of the device, the recent addition of features like Afib detection, ECG functionalities, and blood oxygen saturation proved that his initial fears are unfounded.
Today, with rumors indicating that the upcoming Apple Watch Series will have the new glucose monitoring feature, the device will truly transform itself into a valuable medical device.
