Apple Inc said a bug in its “HealthKit” health and fitness application platform prevented its release alongside the launch of its iOS 8 operating system for iPhones and iPads.
HealthKit gathers data such as blood pressure and weight from various health apps on Apple devices, which can then be viewed by doctors. Medical devices, such as glucose monitors with accompanying iPhone apps, can send information to HealthKit.
“We’re working quickly to have the bug fixed in a software update and have HealthKit apps available by the end of the month,” a company spokesperson said in an e-mail on Wednesday.
Apple has also pulled some healthcare apps from its app store that connect with HealthKit such as “MyFitnessPal” and “Carrot Fit.”
“The MyFitnessPal app, which supports integration with Apple’s HealthKit, was temporarily removed from the Apple Store this morning to address some minor issues,” MyFitnessPal said in a statement e-mailed to reporters.
“We are working with Apple on a solution and will have an updated version of the app, without the HealthKit piece [for the time being], back on the app store shortly,” the company said.
Health information service provider WebMD Health Corp said the new version of its app, which connected to HealthKit, was removed from the app store after being launched earlier on Wednesday.
While HealthKit promises to enhance the process of data sharing between physicians and those under their care, commentators have said there is potential for sensitive data to be abused.
Others are wary of having all their private information stored at one location, susceptible to hackers.
Apple on Wednesday released iOS 8 with new features and updates, just two days ahead of the release of two new iPhone versions showcased last week.
The company is set to launch two new iPads and release the next version of its Mac operating system at its next event on Oct. 21, a Daily Dot report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The company plans to unveil the sixth generation of its iPad and the third edition of the iPad Mini, as well as its operating system OS X Yosemite, which has undergone a complete visual overhaul, the Daily Dot report said.
The iPad is expected to have a 9.7-inch screen, while the new version of the iPad Mini is to have a 7.9-inch screen, according to people familiar with the matter.
Meanwhile, new iPhones include a theft deterrent system that enables users to lock their devices and wipe them clean of data if stolen, a victory for regulators who have pushed the telecommunications industry to do more to stem theft.
The tool, known as a kill switch, is to be standard on iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices and can be installed on previous iPhone models starting on Wednesday, according to an announcement from the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Schneiderman has long fought alongside New York District Attorney George Gascon to convince device manufacturers to include the kill switch as a default setting on their devices.
“This is a game changer,” Gascon said.
“This is a major development that will change behavior on the street and eventually turn around this violent epidemic,” Gascon added.
The announcement marks the first time a kill switch is present as a default option on an iPhone.
In April, Apple was among 10 handset makers to sign a voluntary agreement to make the feature available on new smartphones.
In 2012, 1.6 million US citizens had their smartphones stolen, according to Schneiderman’s office.
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