Apple’s AirPods Set to Get a Major Upgrade with Health Features

New Innovations on the Horizon: Apple Inc. AAPL is working on exciting upgrades for its AirPods that may include heart rate monitors, temperature sensors, and cameras for enhanced AI functionalities.

Current Developments: According to Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman, Apple’s teams are hard at work on these new features. The focus is primarily on adding heart rate monitoring, which is already available on the Apple Watch, to the upcoming AirPods Pro model.

These enhancements might be revealed with the next iteration of AirPods Pro.

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Apple is also exploring the integration of cameras into the AirPods, aiming to expand AI services. This development may take a few more years to reach consumers, provided there are no further delays, according to Gurman.

Importance of These Changes: In September, Apple unveiled a new range of features for the AirPods Pro 2 that includes active Hearing Protection, a scientifically validated Hearing Test, and a clinical-grade Hearing Aid. These features are pending approval from health authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are expected to launch this fall across more than 100 markets.

The wearables segment remains a crucial revenue source for Apple, with AirPods being a significant player. In the last fiscal quarter, the wearables division saw revenue hit $9.04 billion. However, Apple’s market share in the true wireless stereo market has dropped from 48.1% in 2019 to 17% today.

Stock Performance: On Friday, Apple’s stock rose by 1.88%, closing at $254.49. Year-to-date, shares have increased by 37.09%, according to Benzinga Pro. Analysts from Morgan Stanley, Needham, and Wedbush have an average price target of $277.67 for Apple stock, suggesting a potential increase of 8.74% ahead.

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Photo courtesy: Apple

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