Apple unveils new Health Features iOS 17 iPadOS 17 and watchOS 10
Apple has introduced innovative health features in iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and watchOS 10. These updates focus on two crucial areas: mental health and vision health, aiming to provide users with valuable tools and experiences across their Apple devices.
New Mental Health Features in iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and WatchOS 10
The new mental health features empower users to log their momentary emotions and daily moods, offering valuable insights into their emotional well-being. The Health app on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, along with the Mindfulness app on watchOS 10, provide an engaging and intuitive platform for users to reflect on their state of mind.
By scrolling through multidimensional shapes and selecting their emotions and associated factors, users gain a better understanding of their feelings. The app also offers insights into potential contributors to their state of mind, such as associations or lifestyle factors like sleep or exercise.
Further, to address the rising importance of mental health, Apple has made depression and anxiety assessments easily accessible within the Health app. These assessments help users determine their risk levels, connect with regional resources, and generate PDF reports to share with healthcare professionals.
Vision Health Features
In terms of vision health, Apple introduces features that encourage healthy behaviors to reduce the risk of myopia or nearsightedness. Research suggests spending more time outdoors and maintaining a safe distance from electronic devices and books can lower the risk of myopia in children.
The Health app now displays the amount of time spent in daylight, promoting healthier habits. Furthermore, the Screen Distance feature uses the TrueDepth camera on iPhone and iPad to remind users to maintain a safe viewing distance, reducing the strain on their eyes.
Health app now available for iPad
Apple has expanded the Health app to iPad, allowing users to access their health and fitness information in one central and secure place. With a redesigned interface optimized for the larger display, users can track medications, use Cycle Tracking, log emotions, and view health records from multiple institutions.
In addition to the mental health and vision health features, Apple has introduced several other updates to enhance the user experience and provide comprehensive health tools.
Additional Updates
- Medications Feature: The Medications feature now includes follow-up reminders for scheduled medications. Users can set critical alerts that will bypass device muting or Focus mode.
- Journal App: The new Journal app allows users to reflect and practice gratitude by writing about memorable moments. Using on-device machine learning, the app suggests personalized moments based on the user’s recent activity.
- Apple Fitness+ Enhancements: Apple Fitness+ introduces Custom Plans, which provide personalized workout and meditation schedules. The Stacks feature allows users to seamlessly combine multiple workouts or meditations. Audio Focus lets users prioritize music volume or trainer voices during workouts.
Availability
These updates will be available this fall as free software updates. The developer beta of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and watchOS 10 is already available to Apple Developer Program members. Public betas will be accessible in the coming month
Regarding the latest updates, Sumbul Desai, M.D., Apple’s vice president of Health said,
Our goal is to empower people to take charge of their own health journey. With these innovative new features, we’re expanding the comprehensive range of health and wellness tools that we offer our users across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Mental health and vision health are important, but often overlooked, and we’re excited to introduce features that offer valuable new insights to provide users with an even better understanding of their health. These insights help support users in their daily decisions and offer more informed conversations with their doctors.