Apple needs a fitness tracker

[TwoBytes]

Not a watch, but something without the screen and notifications. I don't want the bulkyness of an AW and other companies don't make what I'm after. I want it hard heavily into the Apple ecosystem and Apple health.

Something very 'Johnny Ive' designed focused on lots of health sensors a 14 day battery life so you can go away for two weeks holiday and not worry about bringing your charger.

Either a band or a ring would be ideal. Something slim, that has invisible design and just works to enhance your life like the Apple of old.

The closest thing i've seen is the fitbit range but it doesn't sync to apple health without 3rd party apps. Even the Huawei band 9 has contentious spo2 tracking and it's only €30

 

[ignatius345]

There was briefly a rumor of an Apple tracking device in a ring form factor. I would buy one for sure -- if nothing else just to get out of having to wear my Apple Watch to bed to track sleep.

There are also rumors of AirPods Pro gaining some kind of health tracking capability. I'm a bit hazy on how that would work or how it would be useful considering how much less time people generally are wearing them.

 

[TwoBytes]

There was briefly a rumor of an Apple tracking device in a ring form factor. I would buy one for sure -- if nothing else just to get out of having to wear my Apple Watch to bed to track sleep.

There are also rumors of AirPods Pro gaining some kind of health tracking capability. I'm a bit hazy on how that would work or how it would be useful considering how much less time people generally are wearing them.

The Powerbeats Pro two have heart tracking so I could see it coming to AirPods.

 

[the future]

Ask yourself if there are enough people who would buy an Apple Ring / Band that would not buy an Apple Watch instead if / as long as the Ring / Band doesn‘t exist. I would guess the answer is no, although I personally would buy one to complement the Watch.

 

[Sophytaylor6@]

I am more interested in the Apple Watch rather than the fitness tracker because people can access all kinds of features in the watch itself. Adding an additional accessory might not be a smart choice.

 

[TwoBytes]

Ask yourself if there are enough people who would buy an Apple Ring / Band that would not buy an Apple Watch instead if / as long as the Ring / Band doesn‘t exist. I would guess the answer is no, although I personally would buy one to complement the Watch.

Good point - the ring would have longer battery life, better sensors and people wouldn't buy a watch Pretty sad.
I think the only thing we can hope for is 2-week battery like other cheap fitness watches and a smaller, lighter Apple Watch case. The difference is noticeable if you've been wearing a slim band and come to the Apple Watch.

 

[MarkX]

I can understand the Ultra being called bulky but not the Series 10, when I strap mine on I can't even tell I'm wearing it!

 

[jz0309]

well, the Oura ring starts at $349 + yearly subscription of $69.99
AW SE starts at $249, AW 10 at $399 - no subscription

So IF Apple were to release a "ring tracker" it'd be likely to be same price as Oura or more but what features could a ring offer that even a SE would not? besides the "comfort" feeling? I suppose it would get more than 18hrs battery life.

I am struggling to see a market for Apple in this space.

 

[xDKP]

If they made a ring i would like one, just to be able to swap out my Apple Watch for my mechanical watches once in a while, but still track health metrics

 

[TwoBytes]

I think a fitness band will always win out with battery life as physically the ring is smaller (less battery, need to replace the entire device, etc) Also, sizing is more friendly for consumers with a band vs a ring. I want to go away for a long weekend or a week and not worry about charging my device. You can with those bands that last 20 days. I'm sure Apple could release a fitness-focused device minimal or even similar the Fitbit Charge 6 with a simplified screen as this is the most power-hungry feature of a wearable. In all the battery tests, the screen has been the battery saver if you turn it off.

What would be great is a device that can be charged from the iPhone wirelessly (reverse charging).