Apple has received approval from US authorities for a new smartwatch app to detect hypertension, adding to the services on a device it says has helped to save lives.
The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the blood pressure monitor on Apple Watches, which was unveiled alongside this week's launch of the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air.
The California company had said the feature on the new watchOS 26 operating system would be available after approval in more than 150 countries by the end of September.
The tool, which uses an optical heart sensor to analyse blood vessel responses to heartbeats, will be available on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10 and the new Series 11, and the high-end Ultra 2 and new Ultra 3.
Apple has yet to comment on the decision. The company's offices in the UAE are closed on Saturdays.
Apple Watch, a leading contributor to Apple's revenue, is sold as a lifestyle and health accessory.
The company has continuously touted the device's critical benefits, especially to health.
During Tuesday's event preceding the new watch's unveiling, Apple presented a video with testimonials from users. They said the device had helped them with their health, from recalibrating their lifestyle to their lives being saved because of the Apple Watch's monitoring and emergency features.
Apple has been consistently at the top of the smartwatch rankings, but in the second quarter of 2025, Huawei Technologies overtook it, according to Counterpoint Research.
However, the Hong Kong-based research company primarily attributed the shift to consumers delaying purchases in the expectation of upgrading to the new Watch series.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the biggest health concerns globally. While common, it can be serious if left untreated and is a major cause of premature deaths.
Globally, about 1.28 billion adults aged between 30 and 79 have hypertension, with an estimated 46 per cent unaware they have the condition, according to the latest data from the World Health Organisation.
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The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000
On sale: now
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
Most match wins on clay
Guillermo Vilas - 659
Manuel Orantes - 501
Thomas Muster - 422
Rafael Nadal - 399 *
Jose Higueras - 378
Eddie Dibbs - 370
Ilie Nastase - 338
Carlos Moya - 337
Ivan Lendl - 329
Andres Gomez - 322
The specs
Engine 60kwh FWD
Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power 204hp Torque 360Nm
Price, base / as tested Dh174,500
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE