In a previous blog I asked how researchers identified what was relevant to the general population prior to beginning a study. Today I’m asking how tech developers determine the next technological advances and relevance to the general public. The only reason I ask is because Apple has applied for a patent called “Electronic Devices with Body Composition Analysis Circuitry”.  

What is it and why do we need it? It is technology that allows electronic devices such as iPhones, to scan our body, head to toe, focusing on areas where fat tends to be stored such as cheeks and neck. The device can take full frontal views along with side body view, but it can also focus on different parts of the body such as the face, neck, waist, legs, etc.  

To be clear, health and fitness trackers are not new, there are tons of different brands that can tell you how many steps you take in a day, how many hours of uninterrupted sleep you get, vital signs, etc. However, this device is intended to tell you when your body composition has changed and when you should stop snacking. I’m sorry, maybe I’m old fashioned but you can never replace the opportunity for putting your significant other on the spot when asking “do these pants make me look fat”? Trust me, we all know when our clothes are getting tight (they shrunk in the dryer), do we need our phone telling us? Geez, enough already! Stay well and stay informed!