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CNet:
The technology in smartwatches has come a long way since the early days of wearables, when rudimentary step and calorie counters were about as advanced as the devices got. Now, a new generation of devices is ushering in heart-, sleep- and blood-monitoring functions that push the accuracy of laboratory equipment to your wrist.
In September, Apple introduced an FDA-cleared EKG feature in its Series 4 Watch. The feature, which hasn't gone live yet, warns wearers about abnormal heart rhythms linked to atrial fibrillation. Fitbit and Garmin are developing features that can help detect atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea and other conditions. In April, Garmin integrated the Cardiogram app into its devices. Cardiogram's DeepHeart algorithm has demonstrated high accuracy in detecting atrial fibrillation, hypertension, sleep apnea and diabetes.
[...] The new generation of functions could kick-start the smartwatch category, which has failed to live up to the technology industry's high hopes. High-end devices are taking over from basic fitness trackers, which analysts say is an indication that users want devices that can do more than just count our steps. Better health capabilities could give users, particularly those with medical problems, a reason to strap the devices to their wrist.
Sounds cool, but battery life, battery life, battery life...
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday November 29 2018, @04:16AM (1 child)
The sleep apnea detection might be the best feature.
Calorie counting could be the "killer app", if such a thing were possible to monitor from the wrist with no manual user intervention.
As ID'd by martyb, the more useful these get, the more privacy could become an issue.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by black6host on Thursday November 29 2018, @05:39AM
No doubt about the privacy issue. My mom let an insurance company put a tracker in her car to determine her rate. It was for a short period of time but, as far as I'm concerned, it's like a gateway drug for insurance companies. I'm sure they'd love to get one in your car 24/7/365.
Now if they sell you on the benefits of wearing a watch, and convince you that you cannot live without it, who wouldn't accept their terms? The sad fact is that many will. It's amazing how much many give up for free. Myself included, it's hard not to these days. I don't care about myself so much, but my son is a different matter. Constant surveillance. I'm afraid he's not going to know that robbing a bank at one point was a profitable venture! :)