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Apple Acquires 'Beddit' iPhone-Connected Sleep Monitoring System

Tuesday May 9, 2017 4:19 pm PDT by Juli Clover
Apple recently acquired Beddit Sleep Monitor, an app and sleep system designed to monitor daily sleep habits through the iPhone, according to an updated privacy policy posted both on the Beddit website and in the Beddit app when creating an account. A link within the app also directs to the Apple Privacy Policy.

As of May 8, the Beddit privacy policy says the following:
Beddit has been acquired by Apple. Your personal data will be collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Apple Privacy Policy.
The Beddit 3 Sleep Monitor, which can be purchased from Apple for $150, is a thin, flexible sensor that's designed to be placed under the sheet on the top of a mattress. It collects and analyzes sleep-related data like sleep time and efficiency, heart rate, respiration, movement, snoring, room temperature, and room humidity.

All of the data collected by the Beddit Sleep Monitor is then made available to iPhone users through an accompanying Beddit iPhone app, which provides "personalized insights" and "customizable sleep coaching" to help users improve their sleep habits.


According to the Beddit website, the device uses ballistocardiography (BCG) to measure the mechanical activity of the heart, lungs, and other body functions. When the heart beats, for example, the Beddit sensor can measure the mechanical impulse generated by the acceleration of the blood through the circulatory system.

Based on the changes to the Beddit privacy policy, it appears Apple may have plans to continue selling the device and collecting health-related data from it, which could potentially be used to enhance future versions of products like the Apple Watch.

Tags: Apple acquisition, Beddit
[ 71 comments ]


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IJ Reilly
22 months ago

So once again Apple's privacy stance is exposed for the mullarky it's always been.


Uh. How?
Rating: 14 Votes
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DakotaGuy
22 months ago
You'll probably get better sleep if you just remove all electronic devices from your sleep area and forget about them until morning. :)
Rating: 13 Votes
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davidrpoliti
22 months ago
I've had a beddit for about a year. Love it. Great HW. Stoked on this acquisition!
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Not trying to be a offensive with the reply here, but does the sleep tracking diagnose you then? Or do you show the data to a physician and they diagnose based on that?

Seems weird it's 1/3 with a sleeping disorder. That's a high number...


This is such a great question. People with sleep disorders can monitor their sleep quality and treatment methods without frequent sleep tests in a lab (expensive and inconvenient). Also, the home results can show trends, sleep tests in a lab cannot.
Rating: 8 Votes
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IJ Reilly
22 months ago

Can someone explain to me why we need to track our sleep? If you can't catch up on sleep, what's data after the fact usable for?


Nearly a third of adults are afflicted with a chronic sleep disorder. If you aren't one of those you probably won't have much use for tracking your sleep. Of course you could have a sleep disorder and not know it.
Rating: 6 Votes
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mejsric
22 months ago
Future Apple Watch bands.
Rating: 6 Votes
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andy.ringwood
22 months ago
Sleep tracking in watchOS 4/ Apple Watch Series 3 confirmed.
Rating: 3 Votes
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kevinh456
22 months ago

Has anyone here used this? If so how is it? I'm using auto sleep at the moment so would be interested to hear people's experience.


I use it every night. Beddit just recently upgraded everyone with a Beddit 2 to a 3 for free. Wonder if this is related.
Rating: 2 Votes
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truthertech
22 months ago

So once again Apple's privacy stance is exposed for the mullarky it's always been.



Did you pause to think Apple's policy may be more restrictive than Beddits?
Rating: 2 Votes
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rturner2
22 months ago
Don't give this to the workers at Foxconn. Wouldn't want them finding out the truth.
Rating: 1 Votes
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miknos
22 months ago
Cool would be to use data to measure when you're on R.E.M and play a sound so you can control your dreams!

*For the ones who don't know, search for Lucid Dreaming
Rating: 1 Votes

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