The Future of Wearables

Providing invaluable insights into the habits and preferences are perhaps the most personal tech device we own – Smart devices. Growing access to these devices such as smartphones and smartwatches enables people to be online virtually anywhere, and at any time exploring endless entertainment among other things of digital distribution and creative opportunities.

Last November, Apple announced it would partner with researchers from Stanford University to run the Apple Heart Study to investigate Atrial Fibrillation (afib) a type of heart rhythm disorder. Normal heartbeat, contracts and relaxes to a regular beat, so our body gets oxygen and food it needs. Certain cells in our heart make electric signals that cause the heart to contract and pump blood. These electrical signals show up on an electrocardiogram (ECG) recording. In afib, the heart’s two small upper chambers the atria don’t beat the way they should instead the atria beat irregularly and too fast.

VIDEO IMAGE: SEPTEMBER 12, 2018: ET Panache

Today at a special event at Apple’s headquarters, Apple’s COO Jeff Williams unveiled the next generation Apple Watch with ECG app and fall detection sensor. Say hello to the future of wearables. The new Apple Watch Series 4 Heart Monitor now basically is our 24*7*365 wrist doctor capable of measuring and recording our heart's electrical activity in wavelengths. It monitors heart rate using green LED lights embedded in the device, and all the health data is encrypted on the device and in the cloud, Williams said.

So why an Apple Watch with EKG? ECG on smartwatch detects afib accurately according to research. Although one may detect an abnormal heart rhythm by checking the pulse or listening to the heart, the only way to confirm an atrial fibrillation diagnosis is to get an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). Newly designed wristband and corresponding app that works with a smartwatch accurately display the heart's electrical activity and notify people with afib if their heart is beating normally or not, according to new data. Meaning the watch can be used as a medical device, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the EKG feature. For Apple, EKG feature is serious business and the next step as a health company. The EKG feature of the Watch itself will pave the way for medical clearance of even more Apple features.