Tim Cook hints Apple pushing further into health through Apple Watch & other devices
Apple is hoping to venture deeper into health tracking, through the Apple Watch and beyond, CEO Tim Cook hinted on Tuesday during a talk at Startup Fest Europe in Amsterdam.
"The holy grail of the watch is being able to monitor more and more of what's going on in your body," Cook told the conference's audience, according to Bloomberg. "If you could have a device that knew so much about you, it would be incredible, and would extend life and extend quality. I'm not saying one device will do all of that."
The executive argued that "health is a huge issue around the world," and "ripe for simplicity and a new view." Using a car maintenance analogy, he suggested that health devices should one day be able to tell wearers to get a checkup much in the same way a car will warn about overheating or an upcoming oil change.
"If you look at some things we're doing that don't drive revenue but have massive interest from our teams, health is very much one of them," Cook said.
Prior to the release of the first-generation Apple Watch, early rumors claimed Apple was interested in tracking a wide range of health factors, something that would've required an array of sensors. The shipping device was comparatively limited, mostly able to track steps, standing time, and heartrate, though some third-party apps have tried to tackle things like sleep activity.
Apple is believed to be working on a second-generation Watch that might ship later this year, though rumors have yet to mention any new health features. Instead these have suggested the device could have a better battery, processor, and/or display, and possibly built-in LTE, freeing it from dependence on an iPhone.
"The holy grail of the watch is being able to monitor more and more of what's going on in your body," Cook told the conference's audience, according to Bloomberg. "If you could have a device that knew so much about you, it would be incredible, and would extend life and extend quality. I'm not saying one device will do all of that."
The executive argued that "health is a huge issue around the world," and "ripe for simplicity and a new view." Using a car maintenance analogy, he suggested that health devices should one day be able to tell wearers to get a checkup much in the same way a car will warn about overheating or an upcoming oil change.
"If you look at some things we're doing that don't drive revenue but have massive interest from our teams, health is very much one of them," Cook said.
Prior to the release of the first-generation Apple Watch, early rumors claimed Apple was interested in tracking a wide range of health factors, something that would've required an array of sensors. The shipping device was comparatively limited, mostly able to track steps, standing time, and heartrate, though some third-party apps have tried to tackle things like sleep activity.
Apple is believed to be working on a second-generation Watch that might ship later this year, though rumors have yet to mention any new health features. Instead these have suggested the device could have a better battery, processor, and/or display, and possibly built-in LTE, freeing it from dependence on an iPhone.
Comments
"Your sugar level is high. Take 5 units of insulin."
"You're blood pressure is low."
"You seem stressed. Consider meditation."
Anyway I'm curious how much Apple can do that won't require FDA (or similar regulatory agencies) approval. The Watch is sold in so many countries. Seems like that would slow down how quickly Apple can innovate in this space.
Long term, I suspect Apple will release multiple products that are health-related. As Tim hints, they don't intend the Watch to be "one ring to rule them all" -- i.e., an omniscient device that captures and tracks all health data. It will become one element of a larger health ecosystem.
Potentially -- although less likely (?) -- Apple could aim to create devices for health professionals too -- a la the famous Tricorder from Star Trek. While that device was fictional, I could see Apple releasing several devices that capture and process health-related data over the full data lifecycle (capture, ingest, processing, analytics, reporting). The current Apple Watch is simply the first installment of that grand plan to simplify and modernize personal health tracking.
"Do you really need to eat those Pringles? Your body fat ratio is already wonky."
"You seem to be playing video games. Remember you have your first appointment tomorrow at 8 a.m."
kidding aside I think focusing on health makes sense. The Fitbit is doing great. People want wearable health tech.
I look forward to the day when you can take your Apple Watch into the wilderness and have it run for days giving you reliable GPS without being in the presence of an iPhone.
Anyway I'm curious how much Apple can do that won't require FDA (or similar regulatory agencies) approval. The Watch is sold in so many countries. Seems like that would slow down how quickly Apple can innovate in this space.
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I could imagine Apple at WWDC announcing an Apple Watch band interface spec for medical device manufacturers to create bands that incorporate monitoring technology. Let the device manufacturers get FDA approval; leave that to them, it's their business.
If you're in god damn wilderness, I'm guessing you probably have a god damn backpack too with your Iphone in it and probably a battery pack too (maybe even one recharged by a portable solar panel) : build a better straw man next time.