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Future Versions of Apple Watch to Include Additional Sensors, 'Richer Health Features'

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Apr 12, 2001
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Future versions of the Apple Watch will include "richer health features and additional sensors," according to a new report from Reuters. Though the Apple Watch was only unveiled on Tuesday, the site says that some healthcare professionals who were hoping for "groundbreaking health features" were left disappointed with the watch's fitness capabilities.
Observers say there is little evidence for now that the device's fitness capabilities surpass the competition. Others, hoping for groundbreaking health features from a company whose Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook spoke of how sensors are "set to explode," were left wondering what's in store for the product.

Two people familiar with Apple's plans told Reuters the company is planning to unveil richer health features and additional sensors in later versions, the first iteration not hitting the market until early 2015.
Click to expand...
Apple Watch rumors had initially suggested the device would come with more than 10 sensors to track various health and fitness metrics, with Apple aiming to go beyond the fitness tracking capabilities of smart watches currently on the market.

applewatch.jpg
Early speculation about the device was linked to the Health app and Apple's health-related hires, with rumors pointing towards features like sleep tracking, glucose monitoring, and hydration tracking, but those functions did not make it into the device.

Instead, Apple's Watch measures fitness activity through the use of Wi-Fi and GPS (via the iPhone), an accelerometer, and a heart rate sensor, which is built into the back of the device. Data derived from the Watch is displayed in two separate fitness apps that will be included with the device, both of which aim to encourage users to increase their activity levels.

Apple Watch's inability to measure metrics beyond movement and heart rate put it on par with many other fitness devices on the market, but the Watch also includes several other distinguishing features like deep connectivity with the iPhone, Apple Pay support, and unique input methods with the Digital Crown and Taptic Engine.

Apple has not yet announced a specific release date for the Apple Watch, but says the device will be available starting in early 2015. Pricing for the Watch is expected to start at $349.

Article Link: Future Versions of Apple Watch to Include Additional Sensors, 'Richer Health Features'
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2014/09/11/apple-watch-future-versions/
saving107

saving107

macrumors 603
Oct 14, 2007
6,384
33
San Jose, Ca
The current :apple:Watch hasn't even been released yet and we already have rumors for the next version, really, can we at least wait for this one to come out before we start to talk of the next one.
 
A MacBook lover

A MacBook lover

Suspended
May 22, 2009
2,011
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This is probably the most disappointing part of the iwatch. The lack of sensors. I'm cool with all day battery life, that doesn't bug me.

I completely understand the logic of starting out simple. It's been the same with most Apple products.
 
gugy

gugy

macrumors 68040
Jan 31, 2005
3,828
5,209
La Jolla, CA
honestly I like the watch but I am not jumping on V.1. I hope the next version makes this device waterproof and hopefully a bit skinnier too.
 
0

0xyMoron

macrumors 6502
Oct 5, 2012
433
3
California
For what it does it's insanely expensive. Hopefully after the product matures a bit the price will drop too, i doubt it will sell a lot at it's current capabilities & price range, it's not that tempting to buy even if i had the money for it.
 
Doctor Q

Doctor Q

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Staff member
Sep 19, 2002
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Perhaps those Wall Street Journal reporters (Eva Dou and Lorraine Luk) won't trust the information they get in the future from whoever told them about the "more than 10 sensors" in the :apple: Watch.
 
Supacon

Supacon

macrumors regular
Jul 7, 2011
104
199
Canada
kwikdeth said:
ill be more interested when there's a circular version. the square version is simply not my style.
Click to expand...

I can't see it happening unless Apple would be satisfied releasing a product where the corners of every screen are cut off. Either that, or make it giant and put borders on anything that isn't a circle, effectively using only a portion of the screen real-estate. A square simply makes more sense for a product like this. (Although technically, the body of the Apple Watch is more of a rounded rectangle than a square).

Who knows, though? Maybe in a few years circular Android Wear devices will take off and Apple could find a way to do it that works well. A circle-shaped device would simply have to be much larger to fit the same amount of info. (Think, draw a circle around the existing rectangle).

Also, the edges of the circle would show noticeable aliasing that you'd have to compensate for in software and maybe by covering the edges with a bezel. Not ideal. If you read reviews of the Moto 360 it becomes clear that many compromises were make to make that device a circle.
 
N

nzalog

macrumors 6502
Jul 25, 2012
274
2
Analyst predict right? I predict that the next iPhone ("6S and 6S+" as I like to call them) will have at least one new feature and be an improvement over the current models. It will have a better processor and might use sapphire for the screen. Now pay me $100K+ a year...
 
PsykX

PsykX

macrumors 68020
Sep 16, 2006
2,195
2,691
What it needs is this : be thinner.

For a 1st iteration product, it's not bad at all, and looks fairly well priced. But the Apple Watch will really start to be a ferocious product in this category in iterations 2 or 3.
 
Oohara

Oohara

macrumors 68040
Jun 28, 2012
3,046
2,403
I'd rather they skipped all the sensors and just made it thinner.
 
UMJD2002

UMJD2002

macrumors member
Feb 24, 2011
65
17
Chicago, IL
I was hoping for more health related features in the watch as well. As it is, it doesn't really appeal to me. I don't really have a huge need to check messages, email, etc on a watch. I have a phone in my pocket for that. I'll be waiting to see what v2 has to offer. If it offers more functionality than my phone already does I'll consider it
 
Glassed Silver

Glassed Silver

macrumors 68020
Mar 10, 2007
2,096
2,564
Kassel, Germany
I'll wait it out, this reeks of first gen buyers' remorse.
iPhone 6+ yup, Apple Watch, maybe I'll pair it to my iPad cycle.
So in 2-3 years. Then again I don't know for sure and they may have a device that draws me to their store so to speak in a year already.

I know many people on here don't care for it, but the sending a little sketch or your heartbeat feature really sounded cool to me, but only really as soon as some of my friends have that watch as well.
Hmm... gift idea potentially sometime down the road. :cool:

Glassed Silver:mac
 
Patriot24

Patriot24

macrumors 68030
Dec 29, 2010
2,813
805
California
If you're reading this article and thinking that you're going to pass on the first generation and wait for the second generation hitting in the same year (or even 2016), you're going to have a bad time.

I get the feeling this product will not be on a yearly cycle.
 
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