FDA Approves Apple Watch For Sleep Apnea Risk Assessment - 1

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FDA Approves Apple Watch For Sleep Apnea Risk Assessment

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • FDA Approves Apple Watch Sleep Apnea Detection, available on Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.
  • The feature assesses risk, not diagnoses sleep apnea.
  • Uses wrist movements to detect breathing disturbances and alerts users to potential issues.

Apple’s latest sleep apnea detection feature received approval today from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now available for users of the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, as reported by The Verge .

First announced at Apple’s September 9 “Glowtime” event, the feature couldn’t be rolled out until receiving FDA clearance.

The FDA’s approval notice clarifies that the Apple Watch’s sleep apnea feature is not intended for diagnosis but serves as an over-the-counter device to evaluate users’ risk of developing sleep apnea.

The new feature, called Breathing Disturbances , utilizes the Apple Watch’s accelerometer to detect subtle wrist movements that correspond to disruptions in normal breathing patterns during sleep.

Every 30 days, the watch analyzes this data to assess the risk of moderate to severe sleep apnea and notifies users if consistent symptoms are detected. The goal is to encourage individuals to consult with their healthcare providers for further evaluation and possible diagnosis.

Users can track this metric in the Health app, which also allows for the easy sharing of data with doctors. Apple emphasizes that the algorithm behind the sleep apnea detection was developed using machine learning and a vast dataset of clinical sleep apnea tests.

This development follows Apple’s introduction of a hearing aid feature for AirPods Pro 2 , which also recently received FDA approval .

These advancements highlight Apple’s ongoing efforts to make its wearables viable alternatives to traditional medical devices, targeting health-conscious consumers looking for affordable solutions.

The sleep disorder market could prove lucrative, as CNBC reports. Traditional sleep apnea tests can cost up to $3,000 for in-lab monitoring, while at-home tests range from $189 to several hundred dollars.

Apple’s latest Watch, priced at $399, could offer a less expensive alternative for detecting sleep disturbances.

However, Dr. David Kuhlmann, as reported by CNBC, advises users to approach the Apple Watch’s sleep apnea data with caution due to the potential for inaccuracies.

He notes that insurance companies are unlikely to cover treatments based on data from the Apple Watch. Therefore, it is crucial for patients to consult their healthcare providers for an official diagnosis.

Social Media Platform Bluesky Reaches 10 Million Users - 2

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Social Media Platform Bluesky Reaches 10 Million Users

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • Bluesky reached 10 million users and announced it this Sunday
  • Millions of users migrated from X after Brazil suspended the app in the country
  • The social media app now includes video features

Bluesky, the decentralized social media alternative for X, announced on Sunday it had reached 10 million users in a new post through its platform.

“If you’re reading this, you’re one of the first 10 million users on Bluesky!” states the message shared from the social media’s official account. The post included a message in English and Portuguese as millions of users from Brazil migrated to the platform after the Supreme Federal Court ordered the suspension of X.

If you’re reading this, you’re one of the first 10 million users on Bluesky! Se você está lendo isso, você é um dos primeiros 10 milhões de usuários do Bluesky! [image or embed] — Bluesky ( @bsky.app ) September 15, 2024 at 9:25 PM

For the past few days, the platform has been growing exponentially. Earlier this month, Bluesky announced they gained 3 million users within just a few days. “Welcome everyone! we’re so glad you’re here,” shared the company in a post.

According to TechCrunch , Bluesky started as an invite-only platform, and, in February this year, it opened to every user willing to join. The platform is very similar to X—even more to its former version Twitter—and has been competing in the social media market to gain more users.

Mastodon, one of the social media platforms strongly suggested after Elon Musk purchased Twitter and started changing the platform’s software, has 1.8 million users, and Meta’s Threads, another similar platform linked to Instagram, has already reached 130 million users.

Bluesky was conceived by Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s former CEO, using a built in-house open source framework, and is now an “an independent public benefit corporation led by CEO Jay Graber.”

Just a few days ago, Bluesky announced new features to reach a wider audience. According to The Verge , since last Wednesday, users can upload videos of up to 60 seconds. To enjoy the new updates, users must download the latest version and verify email when uploading a video to avoid spam.