Apple said it discovered a bug in HealthKit, one of the new features of its latest iPhone operating system, delaying the introduction of new fitness and health apps.
The company had prepared to launch HealthKit on Wednesday as part of its release of iOS 8, the latest version of its mobile software. HealthKit is a data repository created by Apple to work with iOS apps, storing information collected by various devices. It can also channel that information to doctors, app developers and others with a user’s permission.
On iOS 8, a user can see that information in a new app called Health that tracks a wide range of fitness- and health-related information such as weight, blood glucose levels, oxygen saturation and caffeine intake. The Health app appeared not to be affected.
“We discovered a bug that prevents us from making HealthKit apps available on iOS 8 today. We’re working quickly to have the bug fixed in a software update and have HealthKit apps available by the end of the month,” Apple said in a statement.
HealthKit is central to Apple’s push into digital health and fitness. The company’s forthcoming Apple Watch, a wearable device embedded with an array of sensors, is expected to play a role in populating HealthKit with relevant data.