Google Fit for iOS has reportedly gained the ability to track and measure heart and respiratory rates using an iPhone’s camera. The fitness app can measure a user’s heart rate when they apply light pressure to the rear camera lens. It can also work if the user’s smartphone does not have an active internet connection. The front camera, on the other hand, tracks a user’s breaths per minute (BPM). Google Fit’s heart and respiratory rate tracking feature was first introduced to Google Pixel smartphones in February.
9to5Google reported that Google Fit on iOS is getting features for heart and breathing measurements. Google tracks subtle movements in a user’s body to measure their heart rate and BPM.
Google Fit measures a user’s heart rate when they place a finger on the sensor of the rear camera and apply light pressure. If a user is in a low-light environment, the fitness tracking app can use the smartphone’s flash to increase accuracy. Alternatively, users can place their hand and iPhone handset in front of a light source. Google measures heart rate by tracking “subtle changes in the color of your fingers” to approximate blood flow. The heart rate algorithms also take into account lighting, skin color, age, and other such factors.
The heart rate measurement takes approximately 30 seconds and displays an example of a beats per minute (BPM) graph. Once the process is completed, the user has a choice to save the vital data to Google Fit.
Also with Google Fit for iOS, an iPhone’s selfie camera can track a user’s breathing rate by tracking their breaths per second. For this to work, users must hold their phone steady and steady with their head and torso clearly visible on the app’s screen. On-screen prompts guide the user to “stay still” for about half a minute. Computer vision subtle chest movements that track small physical movements measure the user’s respiratory rate.
Alternatively, measurements on Google FIT can also be started by going to the Browse tab and clicking Vitals. Users also have the option to set measurement reminders.
9to5Google said they could see the new heart rate and breathing measurements on iPhone 7 and iPad Pro. The report also said that if users recently downloaded Google Fit and the new maps aren’t showing up, closing the app from the multitasking screen and reopening it should make it work.
Google first introduced heart rate and breathing features to Google Fit in February. The features were initially released for Pixel smartphones and eventually reached other Android smartphones.