Gurman: Apple Working On Health Features For AirPod Pro 3, No Apple’s AirPort Router On Cards

Highlights

• Apple will add health features like a heart-rate monitor and temperature sensor for the AirPods Pro 3.
• Apple is exploring adding cameras to AirPods but this technology is still a few years away.
• A new version of its AirPort wireless router is not coming as of now.
• The advanced Proxima wireless chip in future Apple devices could be the wireless access point.

It has been well-reported in the past that Apple is working on several health feature advancements for its range of products including the smartwatch and AirPods. In the latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s trusted Apple reporter Mark Gurman confirmed that Apple’s health-focused features for AirPods might debut in the AirPods Pro 3.

According to Gurman, Apple is developing health features like a heart-rate monitor, a temperature sensor and new sensors to track “a slew of physiological measures.” He reveals that Apple is mainly concentrated on the heart rate sensor for now.

The report also highlights that Apple found that heart-rate tracking via the Apple Watch is more accurate during internal testing. However, Gurman is confident that the AirPods are also not too far away.

While there’s no detailed timeline or specifics on the other features, he says these advancements will roll out “over the coming years” and could appear in the AirPods Pro 3.

Apple is also exploring adding cameras to AirPods. Gurman writes, “In fact, it’s now seen as a priority for the teams within Apple’s AI and AirPods hardware development groups. That said, I wouldn’t expect the technology to hit the market for a couple more years — assuming it doesn’t get cancelled again.”

This suggests that while Apple’s AI and hardware teams prioritise integrating cameras into AirPods, the technology is still a few years away from becoming a reality.

Apple has already rolled out new hearing health features with a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 2. It allows them to function as FDA-certified hearing aids.

Apple’s AirPort Router Is Not On Cards For Now

In the same newsletter, Gurman also touched upon the Apple AirPort Router. Gurman shared disappointing news about Apple’s AirPort wireless router, which hasn’t been updated since 2013.

“Apple is not working on a new version of its AirPort wireless router,” Gurman writes.

However, there’s still a glimmer of hope. Gurman notes that Apple’s new Proxima wireless chip, designed for devices like the Apple TV, HomePod, iPhone 17 and future Mac models, is advanced enough to potentially function as a wireless access point.

He explains, “The Proxima chip is so sophisticated that it could theoretically turn a home device like an Apple TV box or HomePod into a wireless access point. Google has released products like this before, including a mixed Wi-Fi router and smart speaker.”

However, Gurman also notes that even if Apple enables the wireless functionality for these upcoming Apple TVs and HomePods, these wouldn’t be the main highlight of the product.

FAQs

Q1. What health features are being developed for the AirPods Pro 3?

Answer. Apple is developing health features like a heart-rate monitor, a temperature sensor, and new sensors to track a slew of physiological measures for the AirPods Pro 3.

Q2. Is Apple planning to add cameras to AirPods?

Answer. Yes, as per reports, Apple is exploring adding cameras to AirPods, but this technology is still a few years away from becoming a reality, assuming it doesn’t get cancelled again.

Q3. Is Apple working on a new version of its AirPort wireless router?

Answer. No, reports have confirmed Apple is not working on a new version of its AirPort wireless router.

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