Apple Watch
The new sensor brings Apple up to speed with its competitors, but could lead to bigger announcements down the road.
Although beyond the reach of everyday users, an independent study lends support to the Apple Watch's ECG as an option for cardiologists when standard ECGs are unavailable.
The three-year investigation will use iPhones, Apple Watches and Beddit trackers to monitor sleep, physical activity, heart rate and other daily signs.
New workout modules and automatic handwashing detection were rolled out at Apple's annual developer conference, but no update was offered on contact-tracing efforts.
Both efforts are employing popular consumer wearables and health trackers to spot potential cases of COVID-19 or other viral diseases as they begin.
Both features have already been announced or implemented by some of the company's smartwatch competition.
The study will use the smartphones, Apple Watches and a custom health engagement program to influence stroke risk and atrial fibrillation detection.
The new investigation also found substantial differences between the performance of specific devices, with consumer products generally outperforming research wearables.
Crunch Fitness, Orangetheory, YMCA and Basecamp are the first to rollout new device integrations and workout rewards as part of the Apple Watch Connected program.
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