Research from the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology has indicated that using earbuds for heart rate monitoring can be reliable, with low error rates.

Despite some uncertainties regarding the accuracy of in-ear heart rate monitoring compared to traditional methods, there is significant interest among Apple fans and fitness enthusiasts.

The anticipated release date for the AirPods Pro 3 is set for 2027, following the launch of the second-generation model in 2022.

Apple faces competition in this space, particularly from Meta, which is also developing earbuds with camera capabilities.

Apple is intensifying its focus on health technologies, with CEO Tim Cook stating that the company's most significant future contributions will be in this sector.

Among the developments in the pipeline are new health features for AirPods, including a heart-rate monitor and a temperature sensor, although these innovations may take several years to materialize.

Currently, Apple is concentrating on enhancing heart-rate sensor technology, with promising results emerging from internal testing.

To utilize the heart-rate monitoring feature, users will likely need to wear both earbuds, which will sync with the Apple Health app and may offer customizable Bluetooth settings.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has suggested that the new model may feature in-ear sensors specifically for heart rate monitoring.

While the introduction of camera-equipped AirPods is a priority for Apple, this technology is expected to take a couple of years to reach the market.

The purpose of adding cameras to AirPods remains unclear, but it is viewed as an intriguing feature that could enhance AI services.

In addition to AirPods, Apple is reportedly shifting its focus to the smart home market, with plans to release an AI-driven smart home hub in 2025.