BSG75
macrumors 6502
You're welcome! I saw that review, too. It seems like the bicep is the best place to wear the device. The AW seems to be the gold standard in his reviews, so I was happy to see the Helio do so well overall.
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Apple needs a fitness tracker
- Thread starter TwoBytes
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1rottenapple
macrumors 603
Ahhh thanks.
It seems like I am asking for much, Ideally I want a screen less device that's about as thick as a bracelet.... But at least the price on this is pretty good.
It seems like I am asking for much, Ideally I want a screen less device that's about as thick as a bracelet.... But at least the price on this is pretty good.
xDKP
macrumors 68030
The Apple Watch is a way bigger business than the Pixel watch, so maybe Apple is a bit less focussed on additional devices.
They should make a super simple band for tracking some of the health metrics and continue your rings. Some might not be able to wear a watch at work or while sleeping etc.
I don’t think Apple could avoid Apple-ing it. You’d want a Fitbit air that integrates with Apple. What they’d want to sell you is a premium fitness tracker with a bunch of added functionality that was made from aerospace grade titanium (or whatever). I just can’t imagine they’d be willing to make something cheap enough for it to gain the mass market appeal it would take to make it worth their while.
rillrill
macrumors 6502a
I recently ordered a Fitbit Air. While I’m not entirely sure if I’ll be a fan, I’ve been impressed by its slim and lightweight design, as evidenced by the online reviews and videos. I don’t necessarily need an Apple Watch, except for a few specific features. A reliable pedometer and heart rate tracker would suffice for me. Additionally, I appreciate that my watch can wake me up from deep sleep with just a few taps on my wrist. This feature is also present in the Fitbit Air.
I don’t mind being reminded occasionally, but my phone can serve as a convenient reminder and alarm. However, I would prefer an accurate pedometer that tracks my actual steps, rather than relying solely on my phone, which I often leave at work. Charging my Apple Watch daily is also quite inconvenient.
The AI fitness coach is an interesting feature, but I’m not sure if I’ll actually use it. I prefer using Claude, but it might be more affordable if it proves to be effective.
I don’t mind being reminded occasionally, but my phone can serve as a convenient reminder and alarm. However, I would prefer an accurate pedometer that tracks my actual steps, rather than relying solely on my phone, which I often leave at work. Charging my Apple Watch daily is also quite inconvenient.
The AI fitness coach is an interesting feature, but I’m not sure if I’ll actually use it. I prefer using Claude, but it might be more affordable if it proves to be effective.
1rottenapple
macrumors 603
It’s an interesting product. I wonder if there an analogue watch band the can incorporate the sensor to get the best of both worlds as someone who uses a mechanical watch for day to day wear.
ZiBart
macrumors 6502
I returned mine. Waiting until it can send data to Apple Health (coming soon) which will then share with Bevel Health, and all the kinks are worked out with the software and Gemini coach. That said, I really hope Apple makes one. If anyone can make one that's thin, nice looking, great material, using existing sensors, is Apple. Wrist and bicep band would be ideal. I only want it for sleep really. And maybe on my "off days". A ring would be ok if it were a flexible material that can expand and contract a certain percentage.
That actually might be a good idea - an Apple "Watch" without the screen, so you control it from your iPhone. The problem is, this "Apple Loop" would have to cost something like $100 as there's no screen, tiny case, SOC, battery and sensors. Apple cound make money by selling compatible jewelry or partner with LV, Hermes and other luxury goods makers to get a cut of their overpriced stuff.
ZiBart
macrumors 6502
I'd pay up to $150 for this product if it were a wrist/bicep band like a Trail Loop but slightly more narrow with miniaturized health sensors from the Apple Watch series 11 (minus ECG). But yeah, the fashion/luxury accessories could be endless.
There are lots of those out there. I can’t see Apple bothering as most people want the Apple Watch.
rillrill
macrumors 6502a
There's lots of people who only wear mechanical watches or don't want to be seen wearing an Apple Watch due to its relative affordability and ubiquity.
An expensive looking gold bracelet that has this Apple Loop inside it could appeal to both of them. But as I said Apple could make $50 on their product while someone like LV could make $1000 on the same bracelet and I think that's something very unappealing to Apple. Apple could get into profit sharing partnerships with these luxury companies but the only way to force them is to have an authentication chip in the bracelet and that could be perceived as anticompetitive. But for consumers I think this could be great.
I think a lot of people who wear traditional watches (and also why i;m leanign to a Fitbit Charge device) is i want to look at my wrist and tell the time and not think 'the battery might die tonight' without that worry as the battery life is so poor. You can't do that with the Apple Watch
While I agree there are people who would rather the fitness tracker vs a watch, I doubt the market is big enough for Apple to bother.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
I've been clamoring for such a thing from Apple for years.
A modern take on the "Nike Fuel Band", but by Apple basically.
(I wish Garmin would do a new one also ... the stuff they have in this space is a little dated right now)
I had one and loved it ... and that was 14 years ago.
A modern take on the "Nike Fuel Band", but by Apple basically.
(I wish Garmin would do a new one also ... the stuff they have in this space is a little dated right now)
I had one and loved it ... and that was 14 years ago.
I remember this! - 5 days on a charge! All from 2012, and here we are 2026 without anything from Apple in this area.I've been clamoring for such a thing from Apple for years.
A modern take on the "Nike Fuel Band", but by Apple basically.
(I wish Garmin would do a new one also ... the stuff they have in this space is a little dated right now)
I had one and loved it ... and that was 14 years ago.
But there is a market for a fitness tracker with some smart features (maps, and payment)
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
The Apple wearables potential is huge, but it's being held back by what appears to be Apple's reluctance to cannibalize the Watch in any way at all.
That's a big mistake.
Traditional Apple has been willing to do that and is better for it when they do.
They really should lean into lots of variations and options and experiment a bit with wearables of various flavors.
the future
macrumors 68040
The key word in the post you answered to was „big“. The amount of people who wear mechanical watches is quite small, and the actual market would also only be the part of that already small group that wants/needs fitness tracking etc. 24/7.
Disclosure: I am part of this market but I am under no illusion that Apple will join it. The Watch is their smart wearable play and if you want something else, you need to look at other players. They would only ever consider making a band or ring or whatever if that market took off and would cut into Watch sales. Which won‘t happen because most people like to wear their Watch and it is the only watch they own anyway.
MarkX
macrumors 68000
dexterie
macrumors regular
i sure hope so. I kind of want to drop my Whoop and this would be perfect for me.