Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
A Look at What Apple Could Do With Beddit's Sleep Technology
Apple recently purchased Beddit, a sleep monitoring system that pairs a pliable under-sheet sleep sensor with an app, all of which is designed to help users analyze and improve their sleeping habits.
The acquisition is unusual because it appears Apple plans to keep selling the Beddit hardware while collecting sleep-related data from users. For that reason, we took a look at some of the things Apple might be planning to do with this data and how it might impact future products.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.
Apple's Beddit purchase came to light because Beddit updated its privacy policy to both highlight the acquisition and implement Apple's privacy rules. "Your personal data will be collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Apple Privacy Policy," reads the site.
Apple appears to have purchased Beddit for its sleep sensing technology. Beddit uses a $150 sleep monitoring device that's placed under the bottom sheet of a mattress, collecting data on everything from sleep time and efficiency to heart rate and respiration. It also tracks movement, snoring, room temperature, and room humidity to determine factors that might disturb sleep.
Beddit's sensor uses ballistocardiography (BCG) to measure the mechanical activity of the heart, lungs, and other body functions, a non-invasive monitoring technology that's similar to the light-based photoplethysmography the Apple Watch uses to monitor heart rate.
With BCG, when the heart beats, it measures the mechanical impulse generated by the acceleration of the blood through the circulatory system, providing a wealth of data about the body.
Apple is likely interested in the sensor technology used in the Beddit device, and has indeed hired medical experts who have worked with ballistocardiography in the past, but the data collected also seems to be of interest due to the company's decision to keep selling the Beddit sensor.
Beddit's technology and data could be used for any number of things, from advancing sleep research for efforts like HealthKit and CareKit to implementing more advanced health-tracking technology and sleep monitoring functionality into the Apple Watch or other future wearable devices.
For the immediate future, it appears Apple will continue to sell the Beddit hardware as part of a standalone brand like Beats, but the company's longer-term plans for Beddit are unknown.
The acquisition is unusual because it appears Apple plans to keep selling the Beddit hardware while collecting sleep-related data from users. For that reason, we took a look at some of the things Apple might be planning to do with this data and how it might impact future products.
Apple's Beddit purchase came to light because Beddit updated its privacy policy to both highlight the acquisition and implement Apple's privacy rules. "Your personal data will be collected, used and disclosed in accordance with the Apple Privacy Policy," reads the site.
Apple appears to have purchased Beddit for its sleep sensing technology. Beddit uses a $150 sleep monitoring device that's placed under the bottom sheet of a mattress, collecting data on everything from sleep time and efficiency to heart rate and respiration. It also tracks movement, snoring, room temperature, and room humidity to determine factors that might disturb sleep.
Beddit's sensor uses ballistocardiography (BCG) to measure the mechanical activity of the heart, lungs, and other body functions, a non-invasive monitoring technology that's similar to the light-based photoplethysmography the Apple Watch uses to monitor heart rate.
With BCG, when the heart beats, it measures the mechanical impulse generated by the acceleration of the blood through the circulatory system, providing a wealth of data about the body.
Apple is likely interested in the sensor technology used in the Beddit device, and has indeed hired medical experts who have worked with ballistocardiography in the past, but the data collected also seems to be of interest due to the company's decision to keep selling the Beddit sensor.
Beddit's technology and data could be used for any number of things, from advancing sleep research for efforts like HealthKit and CareKit to implementing more advanced health-tracking technology and sleep monitoring functionality into the Apple Watch or other future wearable devices.
For the immediate future, it appears Apple will continue to sell the Beddit hardware as part of a standalone brand like Beats, but the company's longer-term plans for Beddit are unknown.
Tags: Apple acquisition, Beddit
[ 78 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
29 months ago
What is the point of having all these features when watch can not run with charging for more than 12 hrs
I guess you've never used an Apple Watch. The first gen watch would go at least 24 hours on a charge. I used the first gen watch with 2 different sleep tracking apps, without battery issues. I would simply charge the watch every morning while taking a shower and getting dressed for work, and I was good to go.
The second gen watches (series 1&2...I have a 2) last much longer. My series 2 will go a full 2 days without a charge. And these are not just my isolated examples. My company has developed an Apple Watch app, and our testing confirms the same general conclusions.
It's not helpful to the discussion to throw out baseless half truths.
29 months ago
I think stuff like this is really useful for research, but I'm not sure how it helps the average consumer. I'm not even to the point that sleep quality is a problem-- I need to solve my sleep quantity problem. All the graphs in the world aren't going to solve it though. Just like all the fitness tracking in my watch isn't solving the problem that I don't exercise enough.
I could generate a 20 page Keynote presentation full of precision data on my lack of sleep and exercise, but it doesn't really change the facts.
[doublepost=1494459426][/doublepost]Side note: I thought ballistocardiography was something assasins studied...
I could generate a 20 page Keynote presentation full of precision data on my lack of sleep and exercise, but it doesn't really change the facts.
[doublepost=1494459426][/doublepost]Side note: I thought ballistocardiography was something assasins studied...
29 months ago
Apple is about to do it again!!!
...and by "it" I mean solve a problem that no one has.
...and by "it" I mean solve a problem that no one has.
29 months ago
I would get a great night's sleep by keeping the room dark and going to bed at a reasonable time. No app required.
Technology is always pitched as making our lives better. In reality, much of it is pointless, and it's destroying our humanity.
Technology is always pitched as making our lives better. In reality, much of it is pointless, and it's destroying our humanity.
29 months ago
I've been using a Beddit 2 I got for Christmas and it's been interesting at picking out things that suck about my sleep patterns. Their latest update stopps Beddit 2 support, so last week the company gave everyone who had one a FREE Beddit 3. No paying for shipping, no tricks, just a free new unit.
They were VERY aggressive about getting people to upgrade. In-app notifcations, emails, the whole nine.
The acquisition was announced like four days later.
I wonder if they just did this as a gesture of good faith instead of making a lot of people go "Oh Apple bought them and the old one stopped working! **** that!"
They were VERY aggressive about getting people to upgrade. In-app notifcations, emails, the whole nine.
The acquisition was announced like four days later.
I wonder if they just did this as a gesture of good faith instead of making a lot of people go "Oh Apple bought them and the old one stopped working! **** that!"
29 months ago
Apple is about to do it again!!!
...and by "it" I mean solve a problem that no one has.
Spot on, but Apple is trying to solve the problem of getting even more of your cash in their bank balance apparently by any means sensible or stupid.
29 months ago
I didn't think I had a problem with sleep although the symptoms of poor sleep were there. I was just used to waking up tired and groggy until I had my shower and coffee and accepted that that's how I was in the morning.
Then I got a Withings Aura just because I like gadgets and needed a new alarm clock. The smart alarm function was life changing for me. My alarm stopped waking me up in the middle of R.E.M. and I stopped worrying that I'd miss my alarm because I'd be in such deep sleep that I wouldn't hear it or slam the snooze button in my sleep. I now awake gradually after my final R.E.M. cycle and feel like I got a good night's rest without that sense that I missed out on sleep.
Aura also introduced me to the concept of 20 minute naps. It's my favourite feature. If I'm tired through the day, I lay down for a quick catnap, the Aura's sounds and light luls me to sleep and wakes me up gradually as I approach the 20 minutes. I wake up refreshed and ready to pick up on my day.
While I'm happy with my Aura, it feels neglected by Withings in terms of app updates and integration into my other smart home devices, including HomeKit.
Apple buying Beddit really got my attention. I'd love to have the functions of Aura but with Siri controls, iOS' own alarm clock, HomeKit support and native HealthKit integration. I could likely replicate all of Aura's functions using my own bedroom Phillips Hue HomeKit lights.
I'll await to see what Nokia does now that they own Withings but I may soon put it for sale if Apple makes the right moves itself.
Then I got a Withings Aura just because I like gadgets and needed a new alarm clock. The smart alarm function was life changing for me. My alarm stopped waking me up in the middle of R.E.M. and I stopped worrying that I'd miss my alarm because I'd be in such deep sleep that I wouldn't hear it or slam the snooze button in my sleep. I now awake gradually after my final R.E.M. cycle and feel like I got a good night's rest without that sense that I missed out on sleep.
Aura also introduced me to the concept of 20 minute naps. It's my favourite feature. If I'm tired through the day, I lay down for a quick catnap, the Aura's sounds and light luls me to sleep and wakes me up gradually as I approach the 20 minutes. I wake up refreshed and ready to pick up on my day.
While I'm happy with my Aura, it feels neglected by Withings in terms of app updates and integration into my other smart home devices, including HomeKit.
Apple buying Beddit really got my attention. I'd love to have the functions of Aura but with Siri controls, iOS' own alarm clock, HomeKit support and native HealthKit integration. I could likely replicate all of Aura's functions using my own bedroom Phillips Hue HomeKit lights.
I'll await to see what Nokia does now that they own Withings but I may soon put it for sale if Apple makes the right moves itself.
29 months ago
i think we are going to crazy about the tracking , analytic . turn everythings into data, addicted to data. but REMEMBER everyone is different, you dont have to give anybody to judge what you actually feeling.
[ Read All Comments ]
Plex today announced a few updates for its Apple TV and iOS apps, adding notable new features that are worth highlighting.
The Apple TV app now supports HDR video playback, and Plex Pass...
The newest version of Spotify for iOS, released yesterday, quietly added support for Apple's multitasking Slide Over and Split View feature on the iPad.
As noted on Reddit and highlighted by...
Apple today seeded the fourth beta of watchOS 6, the software that runs on the Apple Watch. The new beta comes two weeks after the third beta and more than a month after Apple first unveiled the new...
Apple today seeded fourth beta of an upcoming tvOS 13 update to developers, two weeks after seeding the third beta and more than a month after unveiling the tvOS 13 software at the Worldwide...
Belkin today announced the launch of three new wireless chargers in its BOOST lineup, all of which will be available from Apple's online store and select Apple retail locations.
All of the...
Square Panda today announced that its phonics learning system for kids will now be sold at select Apple Stores and on Apple.com.
The Bluetooth-enabled, multisensory playset uses iPad apps to...
Google Maps this week expanded real-time bikesharing information to 23 additional cities in 16 countries around the world.
In addition to New York City, the feature is now available in...
In celebration of World Emoji Day today, the Unicode Consortium has announced the launch of a redesigned website aimed at making it easier for anyone to submit a proposal for a new emoji.
For...
