WatchOS 26's notable feature rekindles my enthusiasm for the Apple Watch once more.
Apple is making significant strides in the field of AI-powered healthcare and fitness technology. The tech giant's latest initiatives, including the upcoming Project Mulberry and the recently launched Workout Buddy, are set to revolutionise the way users manage their health and fitness.
Project Mulberry, an AI health app slated for launch in 2025, aims to be a comprehensive health companion. It will utilise artificial intelligence to provide personalised health recommendations, offer educational content, track nutrition and workouts, and connect health information across devices. The app is expected to be released alongside iOS 19.4 next year, marking Apple's most significant healthcare initiative to date.
Meanwhile, Apple's health monitoring capabilities have been enhanced with watchOS 12. This update features AI-powered improvements such as better heart rate notifications, detailed sleep analysis, and mental health tools like mood tracking and mindfulness reminders.
In the fitness domain, Apple has introduced Workout Buddy for WatchOS 26. This new feature provides personalised, spoken information and motivational techniques during a workout. It offers encouragement, resources, and personalised coaching to help users achieve their fitness goals. Workout Buddy also reads out key summary stats at the end of a workout, offering a comprehensive overview of the user's progress.
The user, who has diabetes, is particularly excited about Workout Buddy and Project Mulberry. They envision an AI doctor or assistant that can review all health data, understand ailments and comorbidities, and provide personalised recommendations. This AI assistant could predict low sugar levels or evaluate exercise intensity based on heart data, CGM information, and medical records.
While Workout Buddy offers numerous benefits, it may not be suitable for users with certain health conditions that limit their activity levels. It's essential for users to consider their unique health circumstances before relying on AI for health management.
Apple's WWDC 2025 introduced Workout Buddy, which includes features such as Smart Stack on the watch face, additional contextual information, and new customizable voices for motivational feedback. These enhancements demonstrate Apple's commitment to integrating AI into its wearable health technology, paving the way for a future where AI becomes the next frontier in healthcare technology.
In summary, Apple's Project Mulberry and Workout Buddy represent the company's ongoing efforts to leverage AI in healthcare and fitness. While Project Mulberry is still in development, expected for launch in 2025, Workout Buddy is already available as part of WatchOS 26. These initiatives are set to transform the way users understand and manage their health, offering personalised, AI-powered solutions for a healthier future.
- Apple's technological advancements extend to education and self-development with Project Mulberry, an AI health app, set to launch in 2025, providing personalised educational content alongside health recommendations.
- In line with the focus on personal growth, Workout Buddy, Apple's new fitness feature, offers motivational techniques and personalised coaching, transforming workout sessions by providing key summary stats and encouraging users towards their fitness goals.
- Embracing smart home technology, Apple's future plans may include AI health assistants that connect health information across devices, offering a more holistic approach to health management, as envisioned by users with specific health needs like diabetes.
- As Apple delves deeper into AI-powered healthcare and fitness technology, the rollout of features like Workout Buddy's Smart Stack and customizable voices indicate a continued commitment to integrating AI into wearable health technology, shaping the future of AI in healthcare technology.
