Apple’s upcoming smartwatch, supposedly called the Apple Watch Series 8, may be able to tell its wearer if it thinks they have a fever due to a higher-than-normal body temperature thanks to a new built-in sensor, according to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gorman.
In his latest Power On newsletter, Gorman says the smartwatch may have a new body temperature sensor, given that the sensor has passed Apple’s internal testing.
However, Gorman notes that he believes the sensor is suitable for both the standard Apple Watch Series 8 model and the new rugged model designed for athletes. But on the other hand, it is unlikely that the Apple Watch SE 2 will receive this functionality.
Unlike traditional, dedicated thermometers such as a forehead or wrist thermometer, the watch will not give users a direct reading of their current body temperature.
Instead, the watch alerts users directly if it thinks they have a fever. She may then recommend speaking with your doctor or using a dedicated thermometer.
And you can expect some new health tracking features on this year’s Apple Watch Series 8. Reports in April indicated that Apple was aiming to add a body temperature detection feature to the Apple Watch Series 8, assuming the feature was able to pass internal testing.
Apple Watch features a body temperature sensor
The body temperature detection feature is now expected to arrive for both the Standard Edition and the rugged version targeting athletes of the Apple Watch Series 8.
Gorman said in January that internal chatter about the Apple Watch Series 8’s body temperature sensor has slowed.
Since then, enthusiasm for the feature has apparently grown within Apple, helping drive the development process forward.
The company has repeatedly added new health sensors and capabilities to its smartwatch. The latest addition was the blood oxygen saturation sensor on the Apple Watch Series 6.
The presence of a new sensor in the Apple Watch Series 8 is useful. But most sensors need FDA approval.
The way the body temperature sensor feature is provided may be similar to the way the blood oxygen saturation sensor feature is provided.
The blood oxygen saturation sensor gives you an idea of what’s going on in your body, not necessarily providing you with medical information. As a result, Apple cannot advertise that its watch can measure the oxygen saturation in your blood. This sounds like the same approach you would with a body temperature sensor.
The Apple Watch Series 8 is expected to maintain the same design as the Apple Watch Series 7. It may also maintain the same processor as the Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch Series 7. This makes it the first Apple Watch to have the same processor for the third year in a row. Gorman also noted that the Apple Watch Series 8 may include updated screens on higher-end models.
