AirPods Pro 3's Heart Rate Tech Raises Questions About Apple Watch's Future

AirPods Pro 3's Health Features Raise Questions About Apple Watch's Relevance The latest iteration of Apple's AirPods Pro has introduced a feature that could potentially make the Apple Watch obsolete for some users. The in-ear heart rate sensing technology, combined with iOS 26 updates to the iPhone's Fitness app, allows users to track their physical activity and earn rewards without needing an Apple Watch. According to Jada Jones, Editor of X Tech Home Tech Wearables, "The AirPods Pro 3's fitness tracking features are a game-changer for people who habitually use the free Fitness app tier. It's an even more welcomed upgrade if you're like me and fitness tracking is the only reason you're tethered to your Apple Watch." The new feature allows users to start a workout session in the app, track heart rate, time spent exercising, and calories burned using the Pro 3 earbuds. This capability eliminates the need for an Apple Watch, which has been a staple for fitness enthusiasts who rely on its tracking features. Background research suggests that this development is not entirely unexpected. The trend of integrating health monitoring capabilities into wearable devices has been gaining momentum in recent years. With the AirPods Pro 3's advanced features, it appears that Apple is shifting its focus towards more convenient and user-friendly solutions for fitness enthusiasts. Industry experts agree that this move could have significant implications for the wearables market. "The integration of health monitoring capabilities into earbuds like the AirPods Pro 3 is a major step forward in terms of convenience and accessibility," said Nina Raemont, ZDNET Editor. "It will be interesting to see how this development affects sales of Apple Watches and other wearable devices." As for what's next, it remains to be seen whether Apple will continue to develop its AirPods Pro line with more advanced health features or if the company will focus on improving its existing wearables offerings. One thing is certain: the competition in the wearables market has just gotten a lot more interesting. Additional Perspectives Industry analysts point out that this development could also have implications for other wearable device manufacturers, such as Fitbit and Garmin. "The AirPods Pro 3's health features are a significant threat to the dominance of traditional wearables," said an analyst from a leading market research firm. "We expect to see more innovative solutions like this in the near future." Current Status As of now, the AirPods Pro 3 with in-ear heart rate sensing technology is available for purchase on Apple's website and other major retailers. The iOS 26 update that enables these features has also been rolled out to compatible iPhone models. Next Developments In the coming months, we can expect to see more advanced health monitoring capabilities integrated into wearable devices. As the competition in this space continues to heat up, it will be interesting to see how Apple and other manufacturers respond to these developments. One thing is certain: the future of wearables has never looked brighter. *Reporting by Zdnet.*