Based on some patent submissions that recently came to light, Apple may be mulling a move into the health and fitness wearable space with a line of earphones and headphones that can monitor the wearer’s movements, vital signs and other biometric data. That apparently got enough curious that the term “Apple Fitness Headphones” suddenly began to account for a higher proportion of searches on MyVoucherCodes.co.uk‘s website. So they called in their concept designers, something that they’ve done in the past, and asked them to come up with what these so-called Apple iFitness headphones could look like.
The Apple iFitness headphones are expected to come with accelerometers to detect motion as well as sensors to record blood pressure and heart rate. Additional sensors could also measure body temperature and perspiration. With a focus on the fitness and sport markets, they would likely be built using materials that are sweat repellent, potentially waterproof and very durable. Data could be sent back to the user’s iPhone or iWatch, another wearable device that Apple is often rumoured to be working on, via Bluetooth or headphone cables.
Apple’s patent, first filed back in 2008, suggests that the sensors might be incorporated directly into the headphones or be part of a detachable component that could be removed when not required.
Apple’s patent also goes beyond simple monitoring. It suggests that the sensors could be used to track head gestures to control another device like the aforementioned iPhone or iWatch perhaps.
There’s no word on if and when Apple could unveil such iFitness earphones but given the age of the patents, it’s something it’s been thinking about for a while.
Sources : MyVoucherCodes.co.uk // USPTO