- Giving people the ability to monitor and track their health information has been one of the major features Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has used to promote its Apple Watch. Now, Apple is reportedly working on bringing a notable health application technology to the iPhone.
- According to report from the Wall Street Journal, Apple is developing technology for the iPhone that could help diagnose individuals with depression and cognitive mental decline. The technology is said to be coming from research between Apple, biotech giant Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) and the University of California, Los Angeles.
- The efforts are said to be in the earliest of stages. The technology is reportedly including sensor data to assess information such as a person's mobility, physical activity and sleep patterns in order to track digital signals that point to evidence of depression and declines in cognitive ability. UCLA is said to be researching data by using the iPhone's camera, keyboard and audio sensors, and movement, sleep and vital signs from the Apple Watch to assess an person's state of mind, energy levels and other mental and physical attributes.
- Apple has mostly used the Apple Watch as the focal point of its health technology efforts. Last week, the company announced an expansion of its Apple Fitness+ subscription service that it has built around the Apple Watch, as well as the new Apple Watch Series 7, which comes with a larger watch face than last year's model.