Rumor: Apple's 'iWatch' team grows to 200 people, device won't be regulated by FDA
Rumors about a future wrist-worn smart device from Apple continue to emerge, with one report Monday claiming the team in Cupertino, Calif., working on the so-called "iWatch" has grown to include more than 200 people.
iWatch concept by Todd Hamilton
Citing unnamed sources with "limited but direct knowledge" of the rumored device, MobiHealthNews claims that the "iWatch" will be a peripheral device, dependent upon connectivity to an iPhone for users to gain full functionality. The technological capabilities of the rumored device were also said to be "simpler" than some have hoped, and won't have sensors for rumored advanced functions such as glucose sensing and hydration tracking. Monday's report was highlighted by NetworkWorld.
Because the device isn't expected to have such advanced sensors, the wrist-worn accessory is not expected to be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to the report. Apple officials are said to have recently met with the FDA to ensure that the device won't come under the umbrella of the administration's new guidance for mobile medical apps.
The report also threw more weight behind rumors of a "Healthbook" application for iOS, which would apparently communicate with the "iWatch" to track and share health data for users. To that end, Apple is said to be focusing on the "experience" of the device, rather than the technology behind it.
Potential areas of interest for the rumored "Healthbook" application identified by MobiHealthNews include exercise, sleep, stress, reminders for taking medication, and potentially women's health data related to pregnancy.
The source of Monday's rumor does not have an established track record with regard to rumors about future Apple products. However, the same site was the first to reveal last month that Michael O'Reilly, former chief medical officer and executive vice president of medical affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation, was hired by Apple.
O'Reilly was said to have been joined by Apple SVP of Operations Jeff Williams, VP of software and Technology Bud Tribble, and government affairs counsel Tim Powderly in a meeting with the FDA in December to discuss "mobile medical applications." It's widely believed that Apple's interest in medical and health issues could be tied to its work on a so-called "iWatch" accessory.
iWatch concept by Todd Hamilton
Citing unnamed sources with "limited but direct knowledge" of the rumored device, MobiHealthNews claims that the "iWatch" will be a peripheral device, dependent upon connectivity to an iPhone for users to gain full functionality. The technological capabilities of the rumored device were also said to be "simpler" than some have hoped, and won't have sensors for rumored advanced functions such as glucose sensing and hydration tracking. Monday's report was highlighted by NetworkWorld.
Because the device isn't expected to have such advanced sensors, the wrist-worn accessory is not expected to be regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to the report. Apple officials are said to have recently met with the FDA to ensure that the device won't come under the umbrella of the administration's new guidance for mobile medical apps.
The report also threw more weight behind rumors of a "Healthbook" application for iOS, which would apparently communicate with the "iWatch" to track and share health data for users. To that end, Apple is said to be focusing on the "experience" of the device, rather than the technology behind it.
Potential areas of interest for the rumored "Healthbook" application identified by MobiHealthNews include exercise, sleep, stress, reminders for taking medication, and potentially women's health data related to pregnancy.
The source of Monday's rumor does not have an established track record with regard to rumors about future Apple products. However, the same site was the first to reveal last month that Michael O'Reilly, former chief medical officer and executive vice president of medical affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation, was hired by Apple.
O'Reilly was said to have been joined by Apple SVP of Operations Jeff Williams, VP of software and Technology Bud Tribble, and government affairs counsel Tim Powderly in a meeting with the FDA in December to discuss "mobile medical applications." It's widely believed that Apple's interest in medical and health issues could be tied to its work on a so-called "iWatch" accessory.
Comments
Looking forward to seeing the Apple Wrist-Top.
Probably won't buy one though.
That is one funny sentence. Citing unnamed sources with limited but direct knowledge of a rumoured device.
Comedy insider.
Time to adjust me signature.
(delete Kas)
"Citing unnamed sources with "limited but direct knowledge" of the rumored device."
That is one funny sentence.
It's like saying "Citing an Apple employee not in the (rumored) iWatch group but who has a friend who works in the (rumored) iWatch group..."
It won't be a phone. Big 'duh' there.
They said FDA not FCC. Duh!
Whoops! Lol. Won't be a phone anyway, though.
Michael Bromwich will need full access to this project to make sure it isn't violating the terms of Apple's punishment. /s
Don't buy it. Apple has hired too many medical and health professionals to make another simple watch or fitness band. You don't need these types of employees for that, neither do you need a face-to-face with the FDA to release something that doesn't need their approval.
I agree. I still believe there may be two types of iWatch up Apple's sleeve.
Michael Bromwich will need full access to this project to make sure it isn't violating the terms of Apple's punishment. /s
Of course! What with all this talk of a "Health Book", I'm sure he'll be wanting to see the hardcover copy right away.
Don't buy it. Apple has hired too many medical and health professionals to make another simple watch or fitness band. You don't need these types of employees for that, neither do you need a face-to-face with the FDA to release something that doesn't need their approval.
Can you imagine a consumer-level product _AND_ an FDA-approved product? That would be a hell of a "new category" to enter! The margins would be fantastic. And the competition would be behind for years (due to the long FDA approval process). This would perfectly fit in with Cook's recent comments.
First of all, they were concerned enough that it might be considered a medical device that they had a meeting with the FDA. It's just tracking steps like a fitbit, this would be entirely unnecessary.
Second, they hired Nancy Dougherty from Sano, a company that was working on this sensor:
"The needle-less, sensor-laden transdermal patch is painless (I handled a prototype, which felt like sandpaper on the skin) and will soon be able to monitor everything you might find on a basic metabolic panel%u2013a blood panel that measures glucose levels, kidney function, and electrolyte balance. Already, Sano%u2019s prototype can measure glucose and potassium levels. There are enough probes on the wireless, battery-powered chip to continuously test up to a hundred different samples, and 30% to 40% of today%u2019s blood diagnostics are compatible with the device."
That would be the FCC.
Oops : quipped by Phone UI Guy already
I wonder what's going to make the iWatch compelling? I'm more confused than ever.