Media reports that Apple's tested app helps prediabetic patients manage food intake, aiming to explore the possible uses of blood sugar data and the tools that could be created for consumers; Apple has not announced plans for the app, but may integrate the technology into future health products, including the non-invasive blood glucose monitoring device that has been under development since the era of Steve Jobs in 2010
An "highly confidential" blood sugar test by Apple has been exposed, which may indicate the direction of Apple's future development in the health field, and may help Apple's mysterious blood sugar monitoring project with a history of about fifteen years.
On Friday, October 25th, Eastern Time, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that earlier this year, Apple selected some employees to test an application app among them. Test subjects needed to confirm whether they were in the prediabetes stage, which means they are not currently ill but are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. During the test, subjects actively monitored blood sugar levels using various devices on the market, and then recorded changes in blood sugar levels caused by food intake.
Developers hope to show consumers through the app how certain foods affect blood sugar, thereby inspiring people to change their diets to prevent diabetes and help prediabetic patients manage their food intake. For example, if a user records having eaten pasta for lunch and then finds that their blood sugar spikes, they may be advised not to eat pasta or to switch to consuming protein.
The report stated that the app study aims to explore the possible uses of blood sugar data and the tools Apple may create for consumers. The study indicates that blood sugar tracking and dietary recording may be two important expansion areas for Apple in the future. Compared to competitors' services, Apple's current health app lacks the function of recording meals. The study may also allow Apple to more deeply integrate third-party blood sugar tracking into its own products.
The report stated that Apple's research on blood sugar is "highly confidential," and employees need special approval from managers to participate in the project. Participants also need to sign several medical and confidentiality agreements. In order to focus on other health field functions, Apple has currently stopped testing. Although Apple has not announced plans for this app, the technology may eventually be integrated into future health products, including a non-invasive blood sugar monitoring device that has been in development for over a decade.
Wall Street News noted that previous reports have shown that Apple's research on blood sugar has been going on for a long time. In February of last year, there were reports mentioning Apple's aforementioned non-invasive blood sugar monitoring device research project, codenamed E5, which began in 2010 under the leadership of Steve Jobs. In that year, Apple acquired the startup company RareLight, which developed alternative blood sugar monitoring technology. Later, the E5 project was operated under Avolonte Health LLC, seemingly unrelated to Apple, and was later merged into Apple's Exploratory Design Group, focusing on cutting-edge exploration.
Last February's report stated that the E5 project had made significant progress, with Apple's non-invasive blood sugar monitoring technology in the "proof-of-concept" stage. The company believed the technology was feasible but needed to shrink the size of the device to make it more practical. The technology uses laser to measure subcutaneous glucose concentration, and Apple engineers are developing a prototype device the size of an iPhone that can be directly attached to the subject's biceps.
Commentators believe that the above research will help Apple consolidate its position in the medical health field. Because reports suggest that Apple's ultimate goal is to add the monitoring system to the Apple Watch, making the smartwatch a necessity for millions of diabetes patients worldwide Industry insiders say that this technology can not only help diabetes patients monitor their own condition, but also provide blood sugar advice and reminders to potential or early users. Therefore, the device has broad application prospects, and the age group covered by the Apple Watch will be expanded.
After the news of Apple's blood sugar App testing came out this Friday, the stock prices of diabetes-related medical device manufacturers fell. In early trading, blood glucose monitor manufacturer Dexcom Inc. fell by 5.3%, Tandem Diabetes Care fell by 3.4%, and Insulet Corp., which produces insulin pumps, fell by 4.7% at one point before narrowing or turning higher. Apple's stock price rebounded on Friday, rising more than 1.1% in early trading to refresh the daily high.
