The longstanding rumors of an Apple Watch with blood glucose monitoring have just gained credibility. The Telegraph and Forbes report that British healthcare technology company Rockley Photonics recently confirmed in an SEC filing that Apple has been its largest customer for two years and that it continues to sign contracts to develop future products. Rockley’s focus was on sensors that measure blood sugar, pressure, and even alcohol levels, suggesting that at least one of these features will be available in a future Apple Watch.
Apple’s support for diabetics has so far been limited to running third-party monitors in stores.
There is no guarantee that the Rockley Deal will result in any product being shipped. However, Apple has not shied away from making the Apple Watch health-focused, and there is great industry interest in developing wearable blood glucose sensors that do not require needles. If Apple can build the technology into a mainstream product like the Watch, it could offer an advantage to anyone tired of poking themselves to keep their diabetes at bay.
Rockley’s other technologies could help as well. Blood pressure monitoring can alert you to issues like stress, and alcohol monitoring can keep your drinking in moderation. Whether that is feasible or not is a different matter. Apple still has to consider factors like battery life and price, and it’s entirely possible that you will wait a while for all of these features (assuming they ever ship) even if the technology is otherwise ready.
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