Apple’s iWatch and iOS 8 will focus on health software

Some of Apple’s top executives met with officials from the US Food and Drug Administration last month, something that, together with new software rumors, could signal a new direction for the company’s upcoming products. Apple’s senior vice president of operations Jeff Williams, as well as the company’s vice president of software technologies Bud Tribble met with the FDA on December 13th to discuss “mobile medical applications”.

A report on Friday claims Apple is working to incorporate a new built-in app dubbed “Healthbook” into its next iOS iteration, with the software able to track everything from food intake to glucose levels. Citing sources familiar with the plans, 9to5Mac claims the codenamed “Healthbook” will be able tap into data from advanced sensors possibly built into next-generation iOS devices — including the so-called “iWatch” — to track a variety of metrics via a swipe-able card UI.  On the health side, “Healthbook” can reportedly track blood pressure, hydration level, heart rate and even glucose level measurements. As for blood readings, Apple’s recent hire of Michael O’Reilly may play an integral role in the development of such technology. Prior to joining Apple, O’Reilly was the chief medical officer and executive vice president of medical affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation.