Rumors of AirPod health sensors resurface

Digitimes, a supply side electronics publication with a mixed track record on Apple rumors, is reporting that Apple plans to launch next-generation AirPods in 2019 which will include health monitoring features. Giving credence to the rumor is an older report from November that Apple had updated certain trademarks pertaining to the AirPods to include health sensors.

The rumor doesn’t include specifics on the features. Theoretically, both heart rate and blood pressure could be monitored from the ear. In fact, Valencell, which just recently settled a drawn-out lawsuit with Apple, has been working on both, with earbud-based...