The Apple Watch Series 8 may be able to detect if you have a fever

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the next Apple Watch will include a body temperature sensor that will alert you when you have a fever. The 8 Series will not provide an accurate reading, but it may send a notification asking you to see a doctor or use a dedicated thermometer.

This is not the first time Gurman has raised the possibility that the 8 Series will include a temperature sensor. He first mentioned that Apple was working on the feature in June 2021, and reported that it would likely arrive with the company’s 2022 line of laptops. He backtracked on that prediction in January, warning fans that control of blood temperature was among a handful of capacities that were a few years away.

However, a few months later, he said the 8 Series would include a body temperature sensor, as long as the feature exceeded Apple’s internal testing guidelines. Now, writing in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman says he believes the feature is “a test” for the standard 8 series and the rumored robust edition that Apple is creating for extreme athletes.

Gurman says other changes to the 8 Series “will probably be minor.” Reiterating his reports last week, he suggests that the portable device will have the same processing power as the 7 Series and 6 Series. He also mentions that the high-end models in the 8 Series could include an updated display. Another device that is said not to include many upgrades is the second-generation AirPods Pro. Gurman writes that they will not include heart rate or body temperature control features, as some reports had suggested. “I’m told that no function is likely to reach the 2022 update, although both improvements have been explored within the company and could come someday,” he says.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, regardless of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn you an affiliate commission.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *