Fitbit has just vaulted over a huge hurdle: it can now continuously monitor users’ heart rhythms. This was authorized by the US’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — and takes the wearable company a step closer to combating the Apple Watch. Google — the owner of Fitbit — declared that the FDA authorized the use of its new PPG (photoplethysmography) algorithm. This is used to identify atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm. The reason monitoring for this condition (which impacts almost 33.5 million people across the globe) in the background is important is down its toughness to detect. The…

This story continues at The Next Web

Or just read more coverage about: Apple