Apple tests noninvasive glucose tracker and adds Sudoku games to iOS 18.2

In recent updates, Apple has been quietly testing an innovative app to help individuals at risk for Type 2 diabetes make healthier lifestyle choices. This experimental app is designed for people with prediabetes, focusing on food intake and daily habits to manage blood sugar levels effectively. Although Apple hasn’t committed to a public release of this app, the trial suggests it could become a key feature in future health-focused products, alongside Apple’s ongoing project for a noninvasive blood glucose tracker.

Apple’s Private Glucose Monitoring Test

This test, which Apple conducted earlier in the year on select employees, involved individuals who had verified their prediabetes status through blood tests. Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are elevated, but not high enough to qualify as diabetes, although it can progress to Type 2 diabetes if left unchecked. In the trial, employees used third-party glucose monitoring devices to track how certain foods affected their blood sugar. By logging their food intake and observing how it impacted their glucose levels, the app could then suggest diet adjustments—like cutting back on carbs or adding more protein.

The goal is to help users understand how their diet affects their health and inspire them to make choices that could prevent diabetes. While Apple has temporarily paused the test to focus on other health initiatives, this type of in-house testing is consistent with Apple’s approach to new health features, such as detecting sleep apnea and improving hearing health through the Apple Watch and AirPods.

Over a Decade of Research into Noninvasive Blood Sugar Monitoring

Apple’s journey into blood glucose tracking began years ago, with the idea originating under Steve Jobs’ leadership. This ambitious project aims to develop a method of monitoring blood sugar levels without the need for finger pricks or invasive tools. With hundreds of millions invested, Apple’s hardware team has reached notable milestones, making the possibility of a consumer-ready, noninvasive glucose tracker closer to reality than ever.

New Features in iOS 18.2: Daily Sudoku Games in Apple News+

Apart from health, Apple is enhancing entertainment options in the Apple News app with iOS 18.2. This update introduces daily sudoku puzzles for Apple News+ subscribers. The puzzles come in three difficulty levels—easy, moderate, and challenging—and allow users to track their progress within the Apple News app. This addition follows other recent games, including “Quartlies” and two versions of crosswords, expanding the lineup of daily puzzles available exclusively to subscribers in the U.S. and Canada.

Currently, iOS 18.2 is in developer beta and limited to devices supporting Apple Intelligence, such as the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models. Broader access to the update is expected in November, with a full release anticipated by December.

A Potential Redesign for the Apple News App?

With Apple’s growing interest in puzzle content, some users are calling for a redesign of the Apple News app to make these games easier to access. Currently, puzzles are located in the “Following” tab under “Puzzles.” Given the recent launch of Apple’s standalone Sports app, a customizable toolbar within Apple News might help users prioritize their favorite features—whether sports, news, or games like sudoku.

As Apple pushes further into health and entertainment, these features reflect its broader mission to enhance wellness and lifestyle in everyday tech. The combination of serious health tools with daily interactive puzzles shows Apple’s balanced approach to innovating for both functionality and fun.