Apple reportedly wants to integrate light sensors into new models of its AirPods as part of its plans to deliver a better range of health monitoring features to users.
A report published by DigiTimes on Monday claimed that the ambient light sensors (ALS) could be included in AirPods sometime during the next 18 months to two years.
It noted that Taiwan’s ASE Technology could be the key supplier for the new component after it recently made a switch to purchasing more packaging machines.
The report added: “ASE Technology is poised to apply its SESUB (semiconductor embedded in substrate)-based SiP packaging technology to next-generation TWS (true wireless stereo) earphones to be rolled out by Apple.”
Apple could use the sensors to provide more detailed health monitoring features, allowing users to keep tabs on their blood oxygen levels and heart rate.
Hospitals already use ear-based pulse oximeters to monitor the health of patients, so it is not inconceivable that Apple could offer something similar with its popular wireless earbuds.
However, it is not clear how Apple would incorporate the new tech without redesigning the AirPods and AirPods Pro.
DigiTimes claims that the new sensors will be included in the device in the near future, but it did wrongly predict that health monitoring features would be introduced in last year’s AirPods.
A more likely candidate for the tech could be an over-the-ear pair of headphones such as the PowerBeats Pro.
While the specifics are not clear right now, it does seem like Apple will release some sort of health monitoring earbuds by 2022 at the latest.
While those could still be some way off, rumours at the weekend claimed that Apple’s AirPods Studio headphones could be released before the end of H1 2020.
The over-ear noise-cancelling headphones were expected to go on sale in the second half of the year, but they could now arrive in June.