Source: appleinsider.com

New patent applications revealed this week show that Apple has investigated technology with advanced physiological sensors for measuring workout activity from inside the user’s ear canal.

Apple currently has a number of fitness-oriented features available in its iPod line, but the Cupertino, Calif., company’s latest patent describes an extremely advanced system using unique technology. Among a number of described methods for measuring exertion during physical exercise include sensing light that travels through the user’s earlobe to determine blood oxygen levels.

In one of the examples provided in, an earbud could include infrared photodetectors that would measure the user’s body temperature, heat flux and heart rate.

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