Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023 is all set to take place from June 5th to June 9th, 2023. The highly anticipated annual event is generating immense buzz as the tech giant prepares to make significant announcements.
The WWDC spotlight revolves around Apple’s rumoured mixed reality headset that marks the big tech’s foray into a new product category, its take on virtual reality, updates in operating systems, new hardware and software developments and whatnot.
However, the excitement doesn’t stop there. Apple is also one of the big techs foraying into the health space, and we’re excited about the health-tech announcements from the company.
Here are some highly anticipated digital health announcements we look forward to at WWDC 2023:
Mental health at the forefront with journaling features
As part of the iOS 17 update, Apple is reportedly introducing a mental health-focused journaling app for the iPhone. According to The Wall Street Journal, this app will allow users to document their thoughts and activities throughout the day.
The journaling app may offer writing prompts based on the user’s activity analysis. It will incorporate unique features like “All Day People Discovery,” which tracks social interactions and detects unusual activities. It’ll also collect a greater volume of user data, encompassing text messages and phone calls, distinguishing it from current third-party journaling apps.
While this may bring privacy and security issues, Apple has plans to address them. It’ll ensure users’ daily activities evaluation occur on their own devices, and the app will retain journaling suggestions for not more than four weeks.
Although the official unveiling is expected at WWDC, the app is anticipated to be launched later this year.
Apple’s ‘Quartz’: Personalised wellness with AI and emotion tracking
Apple is developing an AI-powered health coach called ‘Quartz’ that’ll analyse data from Apple Watch users to suggest personalised health changes. This innovation is set to launch next year and aims to improve users’ moods, diet and sleep. It is part of Apple’s broader push to make health features central to its devices.
It is also working on an emotion tracker to be added to its health app, allowing users to log their moods and analyse their emotions over time. This technology will further enhance Apple’s AI-powered health coaching service.
The Quartz coaching tool is planned for next year, while the emotion tracker may debut later this year with additional features.
WWDC 2023: Apple’s plans for other health features
Apple is also diligently working on non-invasive methods to monitor blood pressure and glucose levels through its devices, though the release dates for these features remain uncertain. Furthermore, Apple has taken steps to safeguard hearing health, showcasing its dedication to overall well-being.
Tech enthusiasts’ excitement builds as Apple prepares to unveil its mixed-reality headset at the WWDC 2023. This innovative headset will even incorporate a unique meditation feature, further enhancing the user experience.
Apple also has exciting plans for the iPad version of the iPhone Health app, set to launch this year. This version will offer users a larger format to view their health data, including electrocardiogram results. As a central component of Apple’s health initiatives, the app will serve as a comprehensive repository for user data collected from the Apple Watch and other health records.
Will Apple embrace an open ecosystem?
Apple is facing a deadline to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires ‘digital gatekeepers’ like Apple to allow users in the EU to download third-party app stores and sideload apps by the following March. However, Apple has raised security concerns and expressed opposition to these requirements.
Bloomberg reports that Apple aims to ‘overhaul’ iOS to meet European regulatory standards. In addition to potentially allowing sideloading, Apple may reconsider its requirement for third-party browsers to use its own WebKit engine.
Given the time constraints and considering Apple’s track record with privacy and security concerns, WWDC 2023 could serve as an opportunity for Apple to provide a sneak peek at the changes it plans to make to its iPhone and iPad ecosystems in response to the DMA and Apple users.
Apple’s future roadmap: What lies ahead?
Health is becoming an integral part of Apple’s business plans every passing year. While it has several forays into the health sector with smartwatches, AirPods, HealthKit, ResearchKit, Fitness+, health and wellness apps, and more, AI in healthcare is an area to watch for Apple’s next move.
The AI in healthcare market is all set to grow at a whopping CAGR of 47.6% from 2023 to 2028 and is projected to reach $102 billion in 2028. The big tech will definitely work to grab a share in it.
While the likelihood of new health-tech features in the new iPhone 15 model anticipated later year is very low, rumours suggest we may witness a major update in the new smartwatch series in 2024.
With WWDC 2023 less than a week away, we are eager to see what Apple brings on the health-tech front.
