Apple’s Big Health Investments Could Rely on AirPods

Apple is expected to announce iOS 18 at WWDC on June 10, and there are rumors that Apple’s AirPods could receive a significant software update. The technology company has been focusing on health features such as heart health with the Apple Watch, walking steadiness detection on the iPhone, fall detection, and emergency SOS. The potential software update for AirPods may provide even more health-related features and push Apple further into the health domain.

In a recent episode of One More Thing, rumors about the upcoming AirPods were explored, including a potential hearing aid mode that could be introduced with iOS 18. There is speculation that AirPods could integrate more sensors in the future, such as an EEG for detecting brain activity. While a few years ago there were rumors of the AirPods Pro getting a heart rate and body temperature sensor, this feature has not yet been released. Other earbuds on the market, like the Sennheiser Momentum Sport, already have these health tracking capabilities.

The integration of health-related features in AirPods could be a significant step in Apple’s health ambitions, especially since the earbuds are one of the more affordable options in Apple’s wearable line. Even if some of these rumored features do not come to fruition, it is encouraging to see Apple exploring ways to enhance its wearables beyond entertainment and second-screen devices to fully-fledged health tools.