New Apple Watch to monitor blood pressure, gains FDA approval

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light to an innovative feature on Apple smartwatches that can monitor blood pressure, as confirmed by the agency on Friday. This groundbreaking capability was unveiled during Apple's September 9 event, which also showcased a new lineup of iPhones, including the sleek iPhone Air. The hypertension alert feature will be rolled out on the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, Series 11, as well as the premium Ultra 2 and Ultra 3 models by the end of September. Apple aims to make this health-monitoring tool available in approximately 150 countries and regions, covering markets like the United States and the European Union. Utilizing the optical heart sensor, this feature examines how blood vessels respond to heartbeats. The underlying algorithm functions passively, collecting and analyzing data over a 30-day span. If it detects consistent signs of elevated blood pressure, it will notify users. Although Apple acknowledges that the feature may not catch every case of hypertension, it estimates that it could alert around one million users. Bloomberg News reported that Apple is planning to launch this feature in its smartwatches as early as next week. However, when approached for comment, Apple refrained from confirming details on the Bloomberg report. During the highly-anticipated Awe-Dropping event, three new smartwatch models were introduced: the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and Apple Watch Series 11. Each model offers distinct characteristics in terms of display size, materials, connectivity options, and health-related functionalities. Notably, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 boasts the largest display ever featured on an Apple Watch, utilizing advanced LTPO3 and wide-angle OLED technology. Its battery can last up to 42 hours and can be extended to 72 hours when in Low Power Mode. Additionally, it includes support for 5G and two-way satellite communication, enabling users to send messages, share their location, and make emergency calls even in areas lacking network coverage.