Apple Watch Series 8 is expected this September. But, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in his latest Power On newsletter, not one but two new Apple Watch models could include a body-temperature sensor.
Gurman says that this feature had been rumored for some time, but its inclusion was far from certain. Gurman says it depends on whether “the capability passes muster during internal testing.” Now, though, he thinks it’s likely: “I now believe the feature is a go.” This will be on the Apple Watch Series 8, but not the lower-priced second-generation Apple Watch SE, which is also believed to be under development. The second watch likely to be capable of this is “a new rugged edition that’s aimed at extreme sports athletes.”
Hot on the heels of news of the body temperature sensor comes a report of a strikingly different look for this year’s Apple Watch. For the first time ever, according to Ross Young, analyst and display expert, there will be three sizes of Apple Watch.
Apple Watch will be the model with the new, larger screen. A bigger display suggests a revised design, as does ruggedization. Apple Watch will be able to tell you if you have a fever. Well, after the last couple of years, any kind of early warning information about a possible illness would be great, right?
But it’s not a thermometer. “The body-temperature feature won’t give you a specific reading—like with a forehead or wrist thermometer—but it should be able to tell if it believes you have a fever. It could then recommend talking to your doctor or using a dedicated thermometer.”
The current Apple Watch can sport heart rate variability (HRV)—the tiny variations between one heartbeat and the next—and it’s believed that Covid brings with it a plunging HRV. So, it’s already possible that the Apple Watch could spot Covid early and accurately, though this is not something Apple has ever claimed for its wearable.
So, something like a warning of fever could be interesting, and see Apple taking the Watch even further into health monitoring.
