Sleep specialist Roy Raymann leaves Apple in tandem with Beddit takeover

Posted:
in Apple Watch
An important sleep research expert, Dr. Roy J.E.M. Raymann, appears to have quietly left Apple last month, just ahead of the company's Beddit acquisition.




Raymann reportedly joined Apple in January 2014, a move confirmed by his LinkedIn profile. Previously he led a sleep research program at Philips.

Around that time, Raymann was thought to have been hired to work on the unreleased Apple Watch, or at least on iOS 8's Health app. The latter part seems to have been true, since his profile mentions work on HealthKit and ResearchKit, as well as iOS 10's Bedtime feature, and the Night Shift display technology in iOS and macOS.

His recent departure was noted by MobiHealthNews. Raymann is now serving as the vice president of Sleep Science and Scientific Affairs at SleepScore Labs.

Apple's surprise Beddit takeover may have been in response to losing Raymann, or alternately, Raymann may have left because of the impending deal.

Regardless, Apple is likely hoping to integrate native sleep tracking into the Apple Watch. While third-party apps are available, watchOS omits the feature -- presumably because current Watch models don't have enough battery life to last a full day and night. Fitness trackers from the likes of Garmin, Polar, and Fitbit do have sleep functions.

Extra battery life has been rumored for the "Apple Watch Series 3," predicted to ship later this year. It's not clear what other features the device might have, but one rumor has been LTE, which would let it run independently from an iPhone.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 15
    mdriftmeyermdriftmeyer Posts: 7,503member
    Who cares? They can hire half a dozen expert on dream/sleep research at Washington State University doing pioneering work in it.
    hmurchison
  • Reply 2 of 15
    coolfactorcoolfactor Posts: 2,239member
    I wonder if he ever fell asleep on the job?
    sergiozSpamSandwichpscooter63jahbladeravnorodom
  • Reply 3 of 15
    iqatedoiqatedo Posts: 1,822member
    My watch has just gone through one full 24 hour period with 35% power left. However, on my regular training days, when I use the watch as a companion aid to performance tracking on my iPhone, it sometimes, though not often, won't make it through to evening. On rare occasions, even on sport active days where it is constantly monitoring heart rate during activity, it will require charging before bed. I have a first generation watch (and love it).
    GeorgeBMac
  • Reply 4 of 15
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    I wonder if he ever fell asleep on the job?

  • Reply 5 of 15
    em_teem_te Posts: 40member
    Maybe he left because all that could be done to detect sleep tracking was accomplished?
    if(user is not moving) sleeping = true;else if(user moved constantly > 30 seconds) sleeping = false;
    jony0slprescottjahblade
  • Reply 6 of 15
    kevin keekevin kee Posts: 1,289member
    em_te said:
    Maybe he left because all that could be done to detect sleep tracking was accomplished?
    if(user is not moving) sleeping = true;else if(user moved constantly > 30 seconds) sleeping = false;
    LOL that's not really correct (or rather too simplified), and even then what it accomplished is only to determine if user is sleep or awake - not what should be done after. Still, interesting thought, though I think his role is deeper than just sleep tracking.
    edited May 2017
  • Reply 7 of 15
    bestkeptsecretbestkeptsecret Posts: 4,265member
    I wonder if he ever fell asleep on the job?


    What is Donald doing with his left hand?
    jahbladecornchip
  • Reply 8 of 15
    haarhaar Posts: 563member
    I wonder if he ever fell asleep on the job?
    But there is a rumour that when he was scouted for the new job that requires leaving apple, he said "i'll sleep on it"... #no-such-rumour
    StrangeDayscali
  • Reply 9 of 15
    mikethemartianmikethemartian Posts: 1,296member
    em_te said:
    Maybe he left because all that could be done to detect sleep tracking was accomplished?
    if(user is not moving) sleeping = true;else if(user moved constantly > 30 seconds) sleeping = false;
    How about the case that: if(user is not moving) death = true
  • Reply 10 of 15
    robin huberrobin huber Posts: 3,949member
    Watch recharges so quickly that I can top it off while having breakfast. Only downside: if it's on the charger I often forget to put back on my wrist. 
    GeorgeBMac
  • Reply 11 of 15
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    iqatedo said:
    My watch has just gone through one full 24 hour period with 35% power left. However, on my regular training days, when I use the watch as a companion aid to performance tracking on my iPhone, it sometimes, though not often, won't make it through to evening. On rare occasions, even on sport active days where it is constantly monitoring heart rate during activity, it will require charging before bed. I have a first generation watch (and love it).
    ditto
  • Reply 12 of 15
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    Sleep research is a prime target for Apple Research and tracking...
    Most people think of sleep as "resting" -- as in resting your tired brain and/or muscles.
    But, research is showing that it is far more than simple resting and, can not only affect many areas of health, but is as necessary for life as food or water.

    Increasingly medical researchers are creating sleep labs to identify and diagnose sleep problems and, in a few cases, providing medical grade trackers for home use.

    While admittedly, I am not knowledgeable in those medical grade devices, I have to believe that with the right sensors (including an Apple Watch), Apple could not duplicate anything a lab could do -- and conceivably do it better.
    StrangeDays
  • Reply 13 of 15
    calicali Posts: 3,494member
    I believe he was politely let go after they hired better researchers(Beddit). My theory but makes sense.

    em_te said:
    Maybe he left because all that could be done to detect sleep tracking was accomplished?
    if(user is not moving) sleeping = true;else if(user moved constantly > 30 seconds) sleeping = false;
    I'm sure Apple is a lot more ambitious than this. It's gonna be exciting!

  • Reply 14 of 15
    macguimacgui Posts: 2,350member
    The only thing in the article that interests me is the mention of longer battery life.

    When wearing a Watch it's charged every night, usually with plenty of juice left. Depending on my various workouts, the margin can get kind of slim. GPS takes a big hit on the battery (if I'm not using the phone).

    What interests me would be the possibility of an always-on display. Others what to see cellular data and/or phone calls from the Watch. Either way, that's a lot of juice needed.

    So where would the 'extra life' come from. More efficient silicon, more efficient wOS, bigger battery, better battery tech? It will be interesting to see what Apple does, and how.
  • Reply 15 of 15
    jcs2305jcs2305 Posts: 1,336member
    haar said:
    I wonder if he ever fell asleep on the job?
    But there is a rumour that when he was scouted for the new job that requires leaving apple, he said "i'll sleep on it"... #no-such-rumour
    Ha!  
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