Apple released the latest watchOS 11 on Sunday (16) after conducting extensive beta testing. Among the key features is the sleep apnea detection available for Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in over 150 countries and regions, according to Apple. However, there is unfortunate news for people in Brazil.
Apple Watch now has a feature for identifying sleep apnea.
The countries on the list include the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and more, as listed on the Apple website. Australia and Canada, among others, do not yet have access to this feature as Apple is waiting for regulatory approval in some regions. Unfortunately, Brazil is not included in the list and will not have access to this functionality. The Apple Watch uses its accelerometer to monitor wrist movements during sleep to detect potential sleep apnea, a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and restarts. Users can view their “Night Respiratory Breaks” in the Health app on their iPhone, with interruptions classified as “high” or “not high.”
Apple developed a function using advanced machine learning and a large amount of sleep apnea data from clinical tests. The function is designed to identify signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea in individuals aged 18 and above who have not been diagnosed with the condition. Recently, Apple obtained FDA approval for this feature in the US and published a document detailing the technology’s development and validation. The latest Apple Watch Series 10 was launched this month, following the release of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 last year.
