Apple’s rumored “Health+” service, initially a major feature for iOS 27, is now reportedly put on hold as Apple rethinks its plans. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman first hinted at this in late January, suggesting that Apple was reevaluating its AI-driven health features. In a recent report, Gurman revealed that the long-rumored “Project Mulberry” has been shelved.
While Apple has been tight-lipped about its AI health ambitions, CEO Tim Cook has expressed a desire for health to be Apple’s greatest legacy. The company’s shift towards a services-oriented business model made the speculation of a “Health+” service inevitable, although the exact details remained unclear.
The Shelving of Project Mulberry
Gurman has been a key source of insights into Apple’s AI health initiatives, starting with reports on the “Quartz” technology in 2023. This technology aimed to provide AI-driven health coaching and emotion tracking. However, as Apple delved deeper into AI advancements, Project Quartz evolved into Project Mulberry, focusing on creating an “AI doctor.”
Initially targeting a 2026 release of Health+ in iOS 27, Apple’s plans have seemingly shifted. The emergence of competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT Health may have prompted Apple to rethink its strategy, leading to the retirement of the Health+ service.
The Eddy Cue Era of Apple Health
Following a leadership change in Apple’s health division, with Eddy Cue taking the reins, there is a push for faster innovation. Cue believes that breaking down the Health+ service into smaller, more agile features within the Health app would be more effective than a unified offering. This approach could help Apple stay competitive and avoid regulatory hurdles.
The goal was to create a system that could generate detailed health reports and deliver AI-driven recommendations to help users improve their well-being. The major new service would have combined new surveys and health assessments with data from Apple Watches and external lab reports.
Mark Gurman
What to Expect in iOS 27
While the Health+ service may be on hold, Apple is still working on various health features for iOS 27. These include educational video content, AI-generated health summaries, and innovative initiatives like using the iPhone camera for gait analysis. Additionally, Apple is developing an AI chatbot to answer wellness questions, potentially integrated with Siri.
While the subscription model for Health+ remains uncertain, Apple could integrate health coaching with its existing Fitness+ offering. Cue is exploring changes to Fitness+ to align with the evolving health strategy. The company’s focus on incremental feature releases and a streamlined services portfolio indicates a shift in its overall approach to health technology.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Take all rumors with a grain of salt.]
