-Craig Idlebrook

Dexcom has announced a list of new features available for its G6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) app through the Apple store. Those who use the G6 app on an iOS platform will now be able to:

-Ask Siri to read aloud glucose readings

-See graphs of glucose readings on an iPhone lockscreen

-Share glucose readings directly with up to 10 people

-Receive automated 24-hour reminders for sensor replacements

-Launch the Dexcom CLARITY app from the G6 app

A Dexcom representative has said that the company plans to make the app available to Android users through Google Play soon.

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Voice-enabled features are likely to be a sought-after tool of diabetes technology as voice assistant devices like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa grow in popularity. In the last few years, CGM users on a variety of diabetes forums have written posts about workarounds to enable connectivity between voice-activated devices and CGMs.

In 2017, Merck, Amazon and Luminary Labs held a contest to encourage the creation of voice-tech tools for chronic conditions like diabetes, according to a Healthline report. A year later, One Drop announced that those who used its smart meter with the iOS 12 platform could get summaries of daily blood sugar readings through Siri.

For some time, Dexcom has been the dominant player in the standalone CGM marketplace, but the company has faced increased competition from Abbott, Medtronic, and others. Enhanced tech features could be an important differentiator between CGM brands in the future.

For more information on the new features, go to dexcom.com/g6-cgm-system.