The Xiaomi Mi Band 5 and older Mi Band fitness trackers could soon inherit the ability to measure body temperature.
That's based on source code found in Xiaomi companion apps that appear to suggest Fitbit won't be the only wearable maker to offer the health monitoring feature from the wrist.
The folks at AndroidTR were digging around in Xiaomi's apps and found mentions of temperature measurements being taken and compared to external devices.
The data appears to suggest that tests are being conducted with comparisons made against mercury thermometers and temperature patches.
Essential reading: Xiaomi Mi Band 5 v Amazfit Band 5
The source code also appears to suggest that supported devices will include the Mi Band 2, Mi Band 3, Mi Band 4, Mi Band 5 and the Amazfit Band 5.
None of these fitness trackers include body temperature sensors like you can currently find inside of Fitbit's Sense smartwatch. That could suggest that Huami (who makes Xiaomi and Amazfit's wearables) is exploring using the existing optical sensors and using dedicated thermometers to calibrate the tracker to produce the data to offer those temperature insights.
Additional data found from the digging also revealed the kind of screens users could expect to see that were translated from Chinese to Spanish and then we translated them into English.
It mentions the ability to manually upload readings, view historical data along with an explanation of body temperature. There are also mentions of minimum, maximum and average readings.
Measuring or monitoring body temperature is a topical subject for wearables right now, particularly because of the current Coronavirus pandemic. A high temperature (37.8C or greater) is one of the common symptoms associated with the respiratory illness.
As mentioned, Fitbit included a body temperature sensor on its Sense smartwatch that monitors temperature during sleep. Devices like the Oura Ring smart ring are also capable of monitoring body temperature.
It would be quite an accomplishment if Huami does manage to pull this off and roll it out to current devices as well as older ones that costs significantly less than Fitbit's smartwatch.
We're also a little sceptical if it's something that it can actually make possible, though we've been surprised by the progress the Chinese tech firm has made in making its budget wearables smarter.
Based on this revealing source code, it's clearly something they are exploring and may well end up rolling out as a firmware update. In the current climate, it would be a massively welcomed feature to allow more people to pay closer attention to whether they're starting to heat up.
It's been a busy week for Xiaomi news - it looks like a global launch for the Mi Watch Color is looking likely and Xiaomi and Huami also extended its partnership for a further three years.
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.