Band in the future?

[/\ppleDude]

I am curious if there is any information to support an Apple fitness band? After having a Fitbit ChargeHR, not sure that I like the idea of wearing a big bulky watch anymore. The AppleWatch is nice too, but I don't need to do half the things that thing does on my wrist, I have a huge iPhone 6 Plus!

With the news of a new Fitbit band just today priced at $129.99, could the Band be imminent!?

Thoughts? Rumors to support such device?

 

[jasie02]

See my other post:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/overcoming-aws-lack-of-gps.1932809/#post-22425218

 

[exxxviii]

I hope Apple invests in the mobile apps and a web app before they spend resources on another hardware product. Fitbit's strength is what it does with the data the tracker collects-- Fitbit's mobile app and web app. Fitbit's data analysis and presentation make its tracker products best in class. If Apple catches up to Fitbit, Garmin, Microsoft, Wahoo, Jawbome, Nike, and the others in this area, than a band-type product could be nice. Apple could produce a strikingly beautiful band, but it would be a weak competitor without the mobile and web app support behind it.

 

[jasie02]

I hope Apple invests in the mobile apps and a web app before they spend resources on another hardware product. Fitbit's strength is what it does with the data the tracker collects-- Fitbit's mobile app and web app. Fitbit's data analysis and presentation make its tracker products best in class. If Apple catches up to Fitbit, Garmin, Microsoft, Wahoo, Jawbome, Nike, and the others in this area, than a band-type product could be nice. Apple could produce a strikingly beautiful band, but it would be a weak competitor without the mobile and web app support behind it.

Great things about WatchOs/iOS vs Fitbit, Garmin, Microsoft, Wahoo, Jawbome, Nike is all Apple need is open up more API, and there will be thousands of App creator eager to make money.

Personally, I think a waterproof BT bracelet included GPS with data logging & sleep tracking with data logging will be great, so I could use it only when run, swim, surfing, diving, jog, sleep,.... without AW with me, but it will sync with AW once it is within BT range of AW or activate from AW app, and charge it when I am not run, swim, surfing, diving, jog, sleep,... just use AW when bracelet is charging.
This way, I won't exhaust AW battery with GPS, GPS data logging, or sleeping tracking data logging. And it can be build with rugged rubber design for impact proof, since it will be consider an offline AW companion.
I don't think I want my AW become does it all, since I would prefer to have something rugged when run, swim, surfing, diving, jog, sleep,... and not have to wear AW all the time, also allow it to be charged during night.

 

[BarracksSi]

No.

It'd be like Apple making a black-and-white flip phone.

 

[/\ppleDude]

I think the market is there. Open up API's (there are already a ton of great apps) and rebuild Apple Health (confusing as all get out). The Band could be a more rugged option for tracking as well as include notifications and other features that separate it. (ie...ApplePay, Siri, weather, etc.)

In my job I could break a watch face fairly easily and then be real upset, my Fitbit ChargeHR is still going strong with only minor scratches.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I think the market is there. Open up API's (there are already a ton of great apps) and rebuild Apple Health (confusing as all get out). The Band could be a more rugged option for tracking as well as include notifications and other features that separate it. (ie...ApplePay, Siri, weather, etc.)

In my job I could break a watch face fairly easily and then be real upset, my Fitbit ChargeHR is still going strong with only minor scratches.

Yes and even if we broke our Fitbit Charge HR, it would cost much less to replace.

 

[zhenya]

Not seeing it. Apple already makes two devices that track your steps - the watch and their phones.

Maybe if these inexpensive bands are still popular a few years down the road and Apple feels they have saturated the regular Watch market, then maybe they'd do it, but for now I can't help feeling like these bands are merely a stop-gap solution until wearables become generally more capable and cheaper. They are the netbooks of wearables - popular for a while until something better comes along.

And I totally agree with @exxxviii above. Apple needs to invest in their health and wearable software before they get too involved in much more hardware. It's by far the biggest limitation to the platform at the moment.

 

[jasie02]

Not seeing it. Apple already makes two devices that track your steps - the watch and their phones.

But can AW or iPhone use for surfing, sleep tracking still able to charge at night, competitive swimming training, scuba/free diving in shallow depth?

I am sure lots of people enjoy these activity for hours at time, and AW nor iPhone could not provide them.