What you should know
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- Apple and Samsung are developing non-invasive blood glucose testing for their smartwatches, aiming to benefit over 200 million insulin-dependent diabetics worldwide.
- Current methods for diabetics to measure blood sugar involve painful and expensive tests, making a non-invasive solution highly desirable to prevent complications like hypoglycemia, organ damage, blindness, and nerve damage.
- While the technology for non-invasive glucose monitoring in smartwatches is still a few years away, progress is being made towards making it a reality.
- The upcoming Apple Watch Series 10 (or X) is rumored to include a blood pressure monitor feature, which requires new sensors and will not be available on older models through a software update.
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Full Story
Oh, the buzz! Apple and Samsung are on a mission, it seems. They’re diving headfirst into the world of smartwatches, but not just any kind. We’re talking about a game-changer here. Imagine, just for a second, a smartwatch that could test your blood glucose. And not in the old-school, prick-your-finger kind of way. No, sir. We’re talking non-invasive. A dream for over 200 million insulin-dependent diabetics out there. Painful, pricey tests before every meal could soon be history.
Currently, the routine for diabetics is, well, a bit of a hassle. Picture this: a tiny needle, a lancet, is used to draw blood. Ouch. Then, a drop of that blood ends up on a costly test strip. This strip’s already snug in a glucometer, a nifty gadget that figures out your blood sugar level. Too much insulin? Hello, hypoglycemia. You might get confused, or worse, pass out. Too little? Your organs are on a one-way trip to Damageville. Blindness, kidney disease, and a bunch of other scary stuff could follow. So, getting the insulin dose right is crucial.
But here’s the kicker: the tech to make non-invasive glucose readings a reality on your wristwatch is still baking. It’s not ready yet. But, fingers crossed, Apple and Samsung are on it. Progress is happening, and hope is in the air. Soon, those with diabetes might just glance at their watch to check their levels. How cool would that be?
Switching gears a bit, let’s chat about Apple’s next big thing. The Apple Watch Series 10 (or X, if you’re feeling fancy) might just have another ace up its sleeve. Mark Gurman, over at Bloomberg, dropped some hints. He’s talking blood-pressure checks coming this fall. And no, it’s not something you’ll get in a software update. We’re likely looking at new sensors being added. Fancy, right?
Back in December, Gurman spilled more beans. He mentioned a first-gen blood pressure monitor. This gadget won’t just nudge you about high blood pressure. It’ll practically nudge you to see a doctor. And that’s just the start. Apple’s got plans to refine these sensors. Imagine getting an accurate blood pressure reading right on your wrist. No more cuff hassles.
Speaking of cuffs, have you seen the Huawei Watch D? It’s got an inflatable cuff right in the band. Claims to give medical-grade readings, at least by China’s standards. If Gurman’s on the money, Apple’s approach to adding a cuff to the Apple Watch band is going to be interesting, to say the least.
So, what’s the bottom line? Keep your eyes peeled this September. The Apple Watch Series 10 (or X) is set to make its grand entrance. And who knows? It might just bring with it the future of health monitoring as we know it.
