Apple Watch Series 9 introduced a feature to control watch functions by double-tapping your thumb and index finger together. This innovation shows Apple's commitment to improving interaction with its devices.
Apple Watch X: a highly anticipated launch
Although the Vision Pro is Apple's most high-profile hardware launch this year, the rumored Apple Watch This year marks the 10th anniversary of the announcement of Apple's first smartwatch, and we're expecting a major redesign to celebrate the milestone.
The Apple Watch X (unofficial name) could feature a slimmer design and a new magnetic strap attachment mechanism. According to several reports from Bloomberg, we could also see new health features, such as blood pressure monitoring. The name is reminiscent of 2017's iPhone X, which marked a significant design change and coincided with the device's 10th anniversary.
Apple could unveil the Apple Watch X at its annual launch event in the fall, alongside the latest iPhone. However, it's also possible that the Watch
Bigger screen and slimmer design
The Apple Watch screen has gradually increased in size, and this year could yet see that trend continue, or at least offer a larger size option. According to a June report from Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo, Apple will offer larger screen size options for the next generation of the Apple Watch, increasing from 41mm to 45mm and from 45mm to 49mm. At the same time, the design of the Apple Watch will become thinner, according to Kuo.
New health technologies for the Apple Watch
After pivoting from fashion, Apple found success positioning the Apple Watch as a health device. Apple has introduced various new health tracking tools in recent years, including blood oxygen monitoring, temperature detection, and new software features for cyclists and runners. However, the blood oxygen functionality is no longer available in the new Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches sold in the United States due to ongoing patent litigation.
Next year's Apple Watch could see the addition of a few more health tracking features, potentially increasing its usefulness as a wellness and fitness device. Apple could add a new feature that can show when a person's blood pressure is high, according to a November Bloomberg article. It will apparently come with a blood pressure log, allowing users to note when the elevation occurred. But it would not provide accurate measurements of systolic and diastolic pressure, according to Bloomberg.
The report also suggests that the Apple Watch could get a new system to detect sleep apnea by monitoring an individual's sleeping and breathing patterns. This would be a significant expansion of the Apple Watch's current sleep tracking features, which are limited compared to those offered by Oura, Fitbit and others.
Apple is also developing a way to check blood glucose levels without pricking a finger, using infrared and other sensors. However, this feature is unlikely to come to the Apple Watch this year, if it ever comes.
Blood oxygen monitoring: an uncertainty
Given the current patent dispute, it is uncertain whether the Apple Watch X will include blood oxygen monitoring. Currently, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 do not ship with this feature in the United States. The International Trade Commission recently ruled that the blood oxygen sensors in the Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2 infringe the patents of Masimo, a medical device maker.
Magnetic bracelets
If you own or have ever owned an Apple Watch, you know that the bands slide over the edges of the chassis and click into a locking mechanism. After about a decade, that could change with the Apple Watch This would apparently free up space inside to accommodate other components such as larger batteries.
microLED display
For years, rumors have been circulating about the arrival of a microLED screen on the Apple Watch. It is possible that these rumors will come to fruition this year or next year.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman expects microLED technology to come to the Apple Watch X, but it's unclear whether the watch will debut this year or next. However, a report from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicates that the wait could be longer. According to Kuo, the Apple Watch will have a microLED display in 2025 or 2026, but not in 2024.
MicroLED technology is more energy efficient than the OLED currently used on the Apple Watch. It's also brighter and more responsive than OLED displays, which would allow for more consistent viewing from all angles.
The Apple Watch in the future
Apple is investing heavily in the health and wellness category, looking to push the Apple Watch forward as a health tracking device. By adding new health features and improving display technology, Apple could attract more customers who want a smartwatch that helps them stay healthy and fit. The company is also working on a non-invasive glucose monitoring feature. It could change the way millions of people around the world check their glucose levels, a process that currently requires finger pricks.
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