Apple is reportedly beefing up its digital health technology as it aims to shift the current focus of its HealthKit solution from simple health tracking to a more expansive array of technologies that can track, store and analyze individual's activities ranging from walking all the way to breathing.
This development came on the heels of the company's recent hiring spree targeting experts in the medical field. Apple has also begun tapping the expertise of the team behind a small company called Gliimpse. The company acquired this startup, which develops health record database technologies, early this year.
The most tangible technology that Apple is said to be developing in relation to this move involves an electronic health record software, which would effectively centralize an individual's medical data.
Related initiatives include hardware development, particularly biometric sensors in the Apple Watch. Tech Times has also previously reported that Apple could be making a new wearable baked by its health unit. This is part of the move to develop applications that can collect user health data.
For example, there is the case of a health app that can measure fitness levels based on a person's heart rate. Apple has a similar app to date but it is only concerned with measurement while the new app will be capable of analyzing collected data.
Overall, Apple now appears committed to expand its HealthKit so that it becomes a tool that improves diagnoses, not only helping consumers but also medical professionals. This goal rests on a capability to provide accurate and high-quality data, allowing Apple and its HealthKit to take advantage of the highly fragmented landscape of health recording in the United States.
One should remember that the company has been very vocal about the immense opportunity in the healthcare industry.
"If you drive for a while and your car gets too hot, it says pull over. If you need an oil change, it says check your oil. What's the equivalent for the body?" Cook declared last May. "Health is a huge issue around the world and we think it's ripe for simplicity and a new view."
Aside from app and hardware development, Apple is also heavily investing on research. For example, the Swimming Activity app in Apple Watch Series 2 was developed using research data that covered more than 1 million swim hours. Research is also augmenting Apple's sensor development, which could take years to develop.
There are those who believe that Apple is likely to concentrate more on the software side as the manufacture of medical sensors requires certification from the Food and Drug Administration.
