Apple Taps New Hires in Health Sensors, Broad Array of Internal Experts for 'iWatch' Team

[tibi08]

I see this more and more as an iPhone add-on rather than a standalone device. I'm not sure the iWatch even needs a screen. If they can make a bracelet that fees information back to the iPhone and it's actually useful, then it would be another device to lock you into the Apple ecosystem rather than go Android.

 

[Yannin28]

I see this more and more as an iPhone add-on rather than a standalone device. I'm not sure the iWatch even needs a screen. If they can make a bracelet that fees information back to the iPhone and it's actually useful, then it would be another device to lock you into the Apple ecosystem rather than go Android.

But if it doesn't have a screen, Android fanboys won't be able to criticize it for not having a large enough screen size

 

[TheHateMachine]

There is something really wrong with that patent illustration. The thumb is freakishly long.

 

[frank68]

If Lynch is responsible for the software if will drain your battery and require hourly patches...

 

[DotCom2]

Can't innovate my a$$

 

[avanpelt]

Tim Cook is on record as saying he likes (and wears) the Nike FuelBand. I'd like to see Apple take different aspects of the Pebble, the Nike FuelBand (or Jawbone UP if you're partial to that), and the Withings health products and add the Apple quality and polish, a few other bells and whistles, and turn that into an iWatch.

I still don't know if I'd wear a watch again; but it would be at least a little tempting if Apple could combine health monitoring and fitness and make it all actually work well and be accurate.

 

[croooow]

Soon you will have to answer to those saying they stopped using watches 20 years ago... As if the iwatch was a watch

If it isn't a watch, what is it? Why is it called iWatch?

While it is so much more, the iPhone is still a phone.

 

[AppleScruff1]

This would be amazing for people with diabetes (both types, though type I is where I really see it coming into play). It would really help diabetics monitor their glucose levels and avoid hypoglycemic reactions, which can have effects much like being very drunk (including blackouts).

Good point. If it worked accurately and was non invasive, it would be a grand slam for diabetics.

 

[croooow]

With top five answers answers:

...

Does what?
Some pretty awesome things.

...

The other 4 answers were accurate, but this one is vague. Still waiting to hear what Apple is going to do to change the game.

 

[GQB]

I'm betting that Apple is making a very interesting demographic play here by targeting the over 40 market that 1) is VERY interested in health, and 2) has the money for a big, ready-made market.

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If it isn't a watch, what is it? Why is it called iWatch?

While it is so much more, the iPhone is still a phone.

I'm sure it will still have the ability to display time.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

What we may see in the future is a 'package' model, whereby the Apple TV has its own store (similar to the App version) and the user can subscribe to a particular content providers channels for a monthly fee. This would certainly break the monopoly that Sky have.

 

[AppleScruff1]

For those who aren't diabetic, besides a pulse monitor, what other health sensors could they use? I don't see it being that revolutionary for the average customer

There are over 25 million diabetics in the US and many millions of people exercise, jog, walk etc. I could see it being appealing to these groups. And that is just the US, so if you take it world wide there may be substantial interest.

 

[croooow]

Is the iWatch going to be like the iPhone, i.e., people not knowing they need it until they have it and then can't live without it?

The difference is: in 2007 people were already at the point they were going to have a mobile phone on them. The ones that did more than make phone calls were not very useful until iPhone. Apple took something people were already buying and made it something they "could not live without"

In 2013 fewer and fewer people wear watches, Apple has to make people want to wear them again, not just make them better (something they "cannot live without")

 

[appleisking]

People mentioning diabetes, how would this help in measuring blood sugar non invasively? What tech. allows us to do so?

 

[croooow]

I'm sure it will still have the ability to display time.

So does my phone.

I understand the iWatch isn't going to be just a watch. But it will still be a watch no matter what else it does. Just like the iPhone. I still call it a phone. I am not limiting the iWatch or iPhone to just that one function.

Also, I am not saying the iWatch is going to fail. I think Apple could really wow us. I will be watching the keynote along with everyone else ready to be impressed, but I am not excited about a watch at this point.

 

[GQB]

This would be amazing for people with diabetes (both types, though type I is where I really see it coming into play). It would really help diabetics monitor their glucose levels and avoid hypoglycemic reactions, which can have effects much like being very drunk (including blackouts).

How about as a monitor for DUI prevention? It might even solve the problems of other such systems by being able to assure that only the authorized wearer can trigger it by using other biometric fingerprints.

 

[AppleScruff1]

To me personally, I'd like to see it be waterproof and not have to charge it every few days. If it could charge by solar or ambient light, outstanding. That would be innovating.

 

[GQB]

So does my phone.

I understand the iWatch isn't going to be just a watch. But it will still be a watch no matter what else it does. Just like the iPhone. I still call it a phone. I am not limiting the iWatch or iPhone to just that one function.

Also, I am not saying the iWatch is going to fail. I think Apple could really wow us. I will be watching the keynote along with everyone else ready to be impressed, but I am not excited about a watch at this point.

That was my point.

 

[AppleScruff1]

People mentioning diabetes, how would this help in measuring blood sugar non invasively? What tech. allows us to do so?

I have no idea if it even exists but it would be an outstanding feature if it is technologically possible.

 

[GQB]

The possibilities are endless.

In the case cited above, the information is secretly transmitted to the insurance company. When Mr. or Ms. Patient slips and fails to eat the proper diet, that too goes to the insurance company who in turn gradually increases the insurance premiums. In the event of hospitalization, it too is recorded. A few months later for some unknown reason the patients insurance is cancelled.

Open barn door... meet horse.
Oh, and regarding cancellation, thank you Mr President for tackling pre-existing condition discrimination in ACA.

 

[juanmanas]

If it isn't a watch, what is it? Why is it called iWatch?

While it is so much more, the iPhone is still a phone.

I can't believe your comment...

Anything in a wrist is a watch?

A biometric sensor is a watch?

As Sheldon would say, have you got tested?

 

[chrisbru]

How about as a monitor for DUI prevention? It might even solve the problems of other such systems by being able to assure that only the authorized wearer can trigger it by using other biometric fingerprints.

My post was not meant to be limiting, just pointing out something I'd like to see. A BAC monitor would actually be pretty cool, as would the biometric fingerprint lock idea.

The possibilities are endless.

In the case cited above, the information is secretly transmitted to the insurance company. When Mr. or Ms. Patient slips and fails to eat the proper diet, that too goes to the insurance company who in turn gradually increases the insurance premiums. In the event of hospitalization, it too is recorded. A few months later for some unknown reason the patients insurance is cancelled.

Where is your tin foil hat? No one can force you to transmit information from your personal electronic device to someone else. This is for personal monitoring only.

Not only for people with diabetes, but people in general. This could help people find where their ideal blood sugar levels are for sustained energy throughout the day. It could recommend foods to eat to help you maintain that high level. I see a lot potential.

I'll admit I don't know enough about this to comment, but it sounds like a really cool idea to make people more aware of their health in general. I called out diabetics specifically because I know how much of a PITA that blood glucose monitoring is, and how greatly low glucose can affect diabetics.

 

[iSee]

For those who aren't diabetic, besides a pulse monitor, what other health sensors could they use? I don't see it being that revolutionary for the average customer

Your question is actually a good one and you shouldn't be so quick assume the answer.

What kinds of biometric sensors are feasible to build into a watch form-factor?
What interesting applications could they have?

I don't know. I'm hoping someone else here does. I'd guess you'd have to have a pretty decent knowledge of the biometric sensor fields to know.

I guess, we'd want it to be able to capture all kinds of raw biometric data. Then, apps of all sorts could subscribe to that data feed to and do all kinds of interesting things with it. That would increase the chances there would be apps applicable to many people.

I had been assuming the iWatch would be more focused on acting as an extension of the UI for other iOS devices, taking over tasks that take a few seconds to perform (notifications, switching tracks, canned responses to messages, etc.) But this biosensor stuff has me thinking in a new direction.

I mean, I guess I assumed there would be some basic biometric sensors, but perhaps they will go for something deeper than that.

 

[juanmanas]

If it isn't a watch, what is it? Why is it called iWatch?

While it is so much more, the iPhone is still a phone.

I'm pretty sure they won't call it iwatch. Jonathan Ive once said apple had to be careful with names, as they could be a limiting factor. I know they have registered that name, but only because they want to make others believe they are simply working in a "watch"

 

[Daniel L]

This would be amazing for people with diabetes (both types, though type I is where I really see it coming into play). It would really help diabetics monitor their glucose levels and avoid hypoglycemic reactions, which can have effects much like being very drunk (including blackouts).

This. It will even allow non diabetics who are health conscious the ability to observe the effects of foods on their blood sugar level. Monitoring the effects of food on your glucose level can make people more health conscious. If it hopefully becomes trendy, it could even lead to lowered obesity rates.