Apple’s 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference is an hour away from kick-off. The Cupertino tech giant is expected to introduce its major software updates at the event including watchOS 9, iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, and tvOS 16.
It was just discovered that the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new Afib history feature for the Apple Watch. The tech giant might announce the feature at its WWDC 22 keynote.
FDA approves Apple’s new Afib history feature ahead of WWDC 22, feature could be announced with watchOS 9
As discovered by My Healthy Apple, the FDA has granted 510(k) approval to a new “Atrial Fibrillation History Feature.” Since Apple has this approval, it can now offer the feature in its services and devices.
The Afib history feature will enable the Apple Watch to track a user’s atrial fibrillation history as an extension of the already-available ECG feature within the ECG app.
The ECG app can record a user’s heartbeat and rhythm using the electrical heart sensor on Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, Series 6, and Series 7 and then check the recording for atrial fibrillation (AFib), a form of irregular rhythm. The app can detect Afib between 50 and 150 BPM in most countries.
Currently, we do not know if Apple plans to introduce the Afib history feature as part of watchOS 9 at WWDC 22 or if it is going to keep it reserved for a future Apple Watch model, possibly Apple Watch Series 8.
Previously, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that one of the biggest features of watchOS 9 will be improved atrial fibrillation detection which will calculate a measure of how long a user is in a state of atrial fibrillation across a certain period.
Gurman also said that watchOS 9 will bring a refresh to existing watch faces in addition to offering improved activity tracking, more workout types, and details metrics for running workouts.
A new Low Power Mode designed to let users use the watch’s apps and features without them using as much battery life is also expected to be debuted today alongside a new Crash Detection feature which will be able to register a car accident by measuring a sudden change in g-force. Crash Detection will subsequently contact emergency services.
Learn how to watch Apple WWDC 2022 keynote live on June 6 across devices here.
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