Good news for diabetes: Apple smartphone plans to introduce blood sugar monitoring capability

The next Apple Watch has long been hinted to come with glucose monitoring capability. Apple is sending out emails to Apple smart watch users containing a link for the new survey. A section of the survey invites the users about the type of apps they use on their phones to monitor their health data.

The particular section asks users about their most-used health-tracking features on the Apple Watch. These might include step counting, stairs climbed, activity rings, stand up reminders, or the Workout app.

The surveys are usually taken by OEMs to realise areas of improvements for their products. Listing the potential use of glucose monitoring apps on the survey means Apple is aware of the feature being an important health tracking mechanism for people suffering from irregular glucose levels.

Until recently, regulatory documents filed by a UK-based startup called Rockley Photonics hinted at this. The maker of healthcare monitoring sensors listed Apple as one of its "few large customers" in the filing. As per the listing, Rockley Photonics has a "supply and development agreement" with Apple.

The specialised sensors by Rockley can monitor a person's blood using infrared light, thus revealing information that is normally seen using medical or specialised equipment. The idea is to let users keep track of their glucose levels without having to draw blood every time.

The filing hinted that Apple might be sourcing its sensors to monitor glucose levels in the blood. Embedding these sensors on the Apple Watch will let Apple offer the much-awaited functionality to its users in the coming iterations of the device.