Apple is still working to help fight diabetes, with a report claiming it is internally testing an app to help people manage their blood sugar levels.
Glucose monitoring on an Apple Watch using a Dexcom app
Apple has long been rumored to be working on ways to monitor a user's blood-sugar level from hardware like an Apple Watch. While the work to make a non-invasive sensor continues, it's also trying other ways to fight diabetes.
Employees who were prediabetic were involved in testing an app made by Apple, reports sources of Bloomberg. They were given a blood test to determine whether they were at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and were monitored by a variety of blood testing devices throughout the testing period.
The app was also used to log food, blood sugar levels, and glucose-level changes relative to food consumed.
Apple apparently isn't intending to release the app to the public, as its aim was for data collection more than piloting an actual app for release. It was also made for Apple to work out what other uses there could be for the blood-sugar data, and what tools could be produced for public use.
The iPhone maker has since paused the app test, as it focuses on other health-related areas.
So far, it seems that the app test wasn't directly connected to the ongoing work to produce a no-prick glucose monitor. Such a piece of hardware could offer an expanded range of features to the Apple Watch, especially when conventional tests require finger pricks or more advanced systems such as Dexcom.