Apple hones in on mobile health and fitness tracking with new ‘Healthbook’ App for iOS 8
Apple is looking to redefine mobile health and fitness tracking , according to a new report from 9to5Mac. The report claims Apple is currently working to incorporate a new app codenamed “Healthbook” into the next generation of iOS devices. The app can reportedly track fitness monitoring stats(e.g. steps taken, calories burned miles walked), blood pressure, hydration level, heart rate and glucose levels.
Taking cues from Apple’s Calendar and Reminders, the app will allow users to create medication alerts. The report warns that the health functionality could ultimately be removed from iOS 8 before its scheduled introduction.
Currently Apple does not have the hardware required to generate raw data for “Healthbook.”It has been known that Apple is rolling out an iWatch that could possibly serve as the solution for data aggregation. The iWatch could offload data such as thermometer, galvanic skin response sensor, blood oximeter, etc. via iPhone via Bluetooth, processed and recorded.
Apple executives, including Senior Vice President of Operations Jeff Williams and Vice President of Software Technology Budd Tribble, met with the FDA last month, to discuss mobile medical applications. Apple also recently hired Michael O’ Reilly, former chief medical officer and Executive VP of Medical Affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation.
Ideally, the “Healthbook” app could serve as a one-stop solution for fitness monitoring and mobile health tracking needs.
Apple’s timeline for the “Healthbook” app is largely unknown.
