Apple has filed a patent that could be the first step in a larger plan to merge mobile and consumer health devices into the iPhone platform.
It makes great business sense for Apple. Many people exercise with their iPhone whether it be jogging, walking, cycling or at the gym. With the device already attached to the person, why not extend it’s capabilities to monitor heart rates and provide other physical data that can improve workouts? Create new interactive games? Sync music to the level of activity? The opportunities are endless.
For patients living with heart conditions, the presence of a heart monitor in the form of a cellphone seems a non-invasive to an individuals lifestyle and could also involve a great deal of added services and protection. If a patient were to suffer a heart attack, could the iPhone not immediately alert a physician or even call 911?
Integrating health monitoring capability into the market leading consumer mobile health device is a shrewd move on Apple’s part and it will be interesting to see if they actually leverage such technologies in the future.
Resources:
Go straight to the patent filing here,
Read additional summaries on Medgadget and Engadget.
