Users can now track their health and fitness data across different platforms.
During the Google I/O 2022 developer conference, Google and Samsung have announced that they partnered to create Health Connect. This is a new platform and API (application programming interface) that gives developers a toolset to sync user's health data between Android apps and devices, as per The Verge.
Presently, accessing and syncing health data is relatively difficult for developers, thus Health Connect will give them a series of services and APIs to make this easier, according to TechCrunch.
How Would Health Connect Work?
The Verge said that once a user choose to log in, developers can compile their health data in an encrypted hub that's located on a user's device.
According to Google, users will have full control over their privacy settings. They can also control the apps they share it with. This means users can easily shut off access or delete data as they see fit.
If more than one app is collecting the same type of data, such as steps taken, users can choose to share that data with one app over the others, as per The Verge report.
Health Connect backs up over 50 data types in a number of categories This include activity, body measurement, cycle tracking, nutrition, sleep, and vitals.
"Health Connect lets you store and access health-related information across devices with user consent, taking out all the boilerplate code, taking care of the security issues, but also allowing you to mash up that information," Sean McBreen, who leads developer experience for Android at Google, said.
McBreen emphasized that similar with all things Wear OS, Google worked closely with Samsung on this project. This, moving forward, apps like Google Fit, Samsung Health, MyFitnessPal, Leap Fitness, Withings and others will also start using this new API, which will give these services a new sync surface on the device, as per TechCrunch.
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Google, Samsung Work Together to Realize the Full Benefits of Health Connect
"We're working alongside Google and other partners to realize the full benefits and potential of Health Connect," TaeJong Jay Yang, Samsung's executive vice president, said in a press release, as cited by The Verge.
Yang also confirmed that Samsung Health will also adopt Health Connect later this year. He also said that with users' permission, Health Connect will enable app developers to take advantage of accurate and optimized data measured on Galaxy Watch for Samsung Health and use it in their apps as well.
Currently, Health Connect is in an open beta accessible to all Android developers.
It is also likely that Google Fit and the Google-owned Fitbit will adopt Health Connect. This means the tech should be available in time for the Pixel Watch's release later this year, said The Verge.
According to The Verge, Jon Porter pointed out that Google has gotten where it is now because of its open approach to its products. Health Connect API only illustrate Google's willingness to collaborate with other companies.
