Apple investigates space-age fitness tracking technology. By Neil Hughes New patent applications revealed this week show that Apple has investigated technology with advanced physiological sensors for measuring workout activity from inside the user's ear canal. In addition, the iPod maker has also applied for creation of a system to share graphical user interfaces with external accessories. Apple's advanced performance tracker Apple currently has a number of fitness-oriented features available in its iPod line, but the Cupertino, Calif., company's latest patent describes an extremely advanced system using unique technology.
Among a number of described methods for measuring exertion during physical exercise include sensing light that travels through the user's earlobe to determine blood oxygen levels. In one of the examples provided in, an earbud could include infrared photodetectors that would measure the user's body temperature, heat flux and heart rate. Apple in the past has filed patent applications for a number of fitness-related technologies.
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