Apple’s AI-powered health service is reportedly on life support
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld reports that Apple’s AI-powered health coach service, named “Mulberry,” is facing significant delays and potential cancellation after multiple setbacks.
- The ambitious project was originally aimed at iOS 26, then iOS 27/watchOS 27, and was designed to provide personalized health insights using data from the Apple Watch and the Health app.
- Under Eddy Cue’s new leadership, some features like data analytics could still be integrated into the existing Health app while Apple explores alternative health solutions.
A new report from Bloomberg says the long-in-development subscription health service is in trouble. The centerpiece of the service, which some call “Health+,” was to be an AI wellness and fitness coach, named Mulberry.
As part of a management shakeup, with Eddy Cue now heading Apple’s health initiatives following the departure of Jeff Williams last year, the Mulberry AI health coach project has ended.
Apple reportedly spent years developing the AI Health Coach, which would leverage data from the Health app and connected providers, Apple Watch and other sources to provide insights and reports on users’ health, and also offer actionable recommendations. The service would use data from the Health app (from Apple Watch or other sources), new health surveys, and external lab reports to inform AI analysis and recommendations.
According to the report, Apple even built a studio in California to produce videos explaining health issues and guiding users through their wellness plans. The system was originally supposed to be part of iOS 26, then was pushed back to a spring release, then moved again to iOS 27 and watchOS 27 this fall. Today, it seems that the entire AI health coach project has been put on the back burner, if not completely abandoned.
Services boss Eddy Cue, now in charge of Apple’s health efforts, reportedly told colleagues that “Apple needs to move faster and be more competitive on health,” citing app features from Ouya and Whoop as more compelling and useful.
This could be good news for those who are tired of subscriptions. The report states that parts of the project, such as Health app data analysis and video content, could roll out this year as regular Health app features. He also mentions that Apple is working on a system to use the iPhone’s camera for gait analysis.
iOS 27 and watchOS 27 are expected to be released in September, following a preview at WWDC in June.
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