Questionable Rumor Points Towards Upcoming 'Smart Bands' For Apple Watch

[MacRumors]

Apple is working on next-generation Apple Watch bands that will be equipped with new health sensors, according to a questionable report from Czech site Letem Svetem Applem [Google Translate]. Citing an unnamed source, the site says Apple is planning on creating smart bands that include sensors for detecting blood oxygen levels, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.

The bands are said to be able to plug into the diagnostic port on the Apple Watch, making them compatible with the current-generation device. Letem Svetem Applem suggests that all of the health monitoring functions above could not be built into the Apple Watch itself, a supposition that may not be accurate.

When the diagnostic port was first discovered ahead of the Apple Watch's release, TechCrunch speculated it could be used for smart band accessories with additional sensors or external batteries, but there has thus far been no solid indication that Apple is working on such technology at this point in time.

It continues to be unclear what exactly the diagnostic port is capable of, but based on Apple Watch setups in retail stores and information discovered by third-party band makers, it looks like it's able to be used to charge the Apple Watch and relay data.

There are a number of reasons that Apple might be hesitant to embed multiple sensors in bands, including price concerns and durability issues. Apple would also need to consolidate bands or embed sensors into every band type, something that could be difficult with bands made of widely varied materials.

Letem Svetem Applem has accurately shared information gathered from resellers and other third-party sources in the past, but it does not have a known track record for sharing highly sensitive rumors that could only be sourced from a well-positioned insider within Apple. Because the site does not have a reliable track record, this rumor should be viewed with some skepticism for the time being.

Article Link: Questionable Rumor Points Towards Upcoming 'Smart Bands' For Apple Watch

 

[jpgr15]

Makes sense to have a way to expand functionality of first generation watches. I can't imagine an Edition owner (or even most watch owners) is going to want to upgrade every year.

 

[matjamca]

I wouldn't say this rumour was questionable. It sounds very plausible to me.

 

[applepuree]

I also wouldn't say the additional sensors must be put in every band. Its feasible there could be specialised bands with various sensors.

 

[jamescharley22]

I also wouldn't say the additional sensors must be put in every band. Its feasible there could be specialised bands with various sensors.

Very feasible indeed, but I wouldn't want to have to switch bands just to wear different sensors. I'd like to have all of them at once, and have the freedom to switch bands and still have the convenience of not having to compromise on which sensor is available and which isn't. But that's just me, at least.

 

[peterh988]

I'd hope this were true. These are the sort of things I have to visit my doctor regularly for. As well as relieving me of the torture of the doctors waiting room, I presume the data provided by continual measurement would be more useful than six point measurements over a year, when fine tuning my medication.

 

[Rogifan]

Why is this considered questionable? Heck this site posts lots of "questionable" stories on the front page (not the side bar).

 

[BrentD]

I don't know... Seems like the kind of sensors mentioned would need to be firmly touching the skin on your wrist right where the clasp already goes. Not sure how well that would work. Would so have to have all the sensors and hardware in one piece of the band since the connector is only on one side of the watch.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Apple would also need to consolidate bands or embed sensors into every band type, something that could be difficult with bands made of widely varied materials.

Not necessarily. It seems to me that many sensors would only be of interest when you're exercising. Apple made the bands to be easy to swap out, so it seems to me that they could just embed the sensors into a new sports band and be done with it. If someone is wearing the $7000 band, they're probably wearing it to a formal event where their respiratory rate probably won't be of particular concern.

 

[JackANSI]

I don't think "price" is a concern of anyone at Apple when it comes to Watch bands...

 

[sss4r]

Having used the Basis B1, now owned by Intel, for several years, I was disappointed that the Watch did not include more biometric sensors. One excuse I was given was that the battery needed to be charged at night, so it couldn't do sleep tracking/analysis, but that doesn't seem to be the case -- I wear mine day and night and only charge it an hour a day. The product simply lacks the sensors, biometric algorithms and analytical software. As other signs suggest, it was rushed to market, so there was a minimal aspect to it, and one that was easier to debug for the premiere launch.

I'm pleased Apple has plans to do more in this area, but requiring swapping out bands is very inconvenient. I'm replacing the Sport band today with a top-grain suede leather band which I'd prefer not to have to swap with an athletic band at the gym and before sleep in order to gather information. I'd rather it be built into the Watch proper in a future generation.

Take with a grain of salt. Got it. But "does not have a reliable track record" is not the same as an unreliable track record, and is both true and misleading, as it's stated that it has been reliable with at least one rumor in the past, so it has a reliable but brief record -- the question is really whether the rumor comes on good authority, and that's still an unknown.

 

[sss4r]

I'd hope this were true. These are the sort of things I have to visit my doctor regularly for. As well as relieving me of the torture of the doctors waiting room, I presume the data provided by continual measurement would be more useful than six point measurements over a year, when fine tuning my medication.

For $30 I got a digital blood pressure monitor, for $25 I got a blood oxygen oximeter, etc. You don't need to wait until it's all consolidated into a watch

 

[jamescharley22]

One excuse I was given was that the battery needed to be charged at night, so it couldn't do sleep tracking/analysis, but that doesn't seem to be the case -- I wear mine day and night and only charge it an hour a day.

I'd get over my Apple Watch not being completely waterproof if Apple could get it to charge within the time it takes me to shower (8-10 minutes) and get ready (12-15 minutes) until I shower again the next day. Kind of a far stretch, but something I'd personally be in favor of.

 

[sss4r]

I'd get over my Apple Watch not being completely waterproof if Apple could get it to charge within the time it takes me to shower (8-10 minutes) and get ready (12-15 minutes) until I shower again the next day. Kind of a far stretch, but something I'd personally be in favor of.

That would most definitely be the ideal! Some day, for sure. But it doesn't take too much longer than that... And you don't have to charge to 100% every time. (Or is that better for the battery life?) I've been letting it charge while I'm in the bathroom, and then charge it some more in the evening, just long enough to make sure it never runs out of juice even though I wear it 23 hours a day or just about.

 

[jamescharley22]

That would most definitely be the ideal! Some day, for sure. But it doesn't take too much longer than that... And you don't have to charge to 100% every time. (Or is that better for the battery life?) I've been letting it charge while I'm in the bathroom, and then charge it some more in the evening, just long enough to make sure it never runs out of juice even though I wear it 23 hours a day or just about.

Fully charging it is better for battery life, but it's not required the watch reach 100% to last for quiet sometime. I've noticed it does charge quickly, I might even be able to watch it completely charge.

 

[Sloppy.Joe]

When was the last time MR reported on something to be "questionable" that turned out to be true? Never?

 

[CmdrLaForge]

If true and those bands are ok from look and feel and price. Awesome.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Am I missing something? Apple CLOSED the port. They have no intention of letting us use it at this point in time. Maybe v2 will leave the ports open or something, but I wouldn't get our hopes up for gen1.

 

[Time Less]

Am I missing something? Apple CLOSED the port. They have no intention of letting us use it at this point in time. Maybe v2 will leave the ports open or something, but I wouldn't get our hopes up for gen1.

Exactly! The port is not user accessible so how can they sell a smart band that is plug and play? Pack in a small flat head? Sure. This rumor would be more credible if it's for the 2nd gen watch.

 

[jamescharley22]

Am I missing something? Apple CLOSED the port. They have no intention of letting us use it at this point in time. Maybe v2 will leave the ports open or something, but I wouldn't get our hopes up for gen1.

Exactly! The port is not user accessible so how can they sell a smart band that is plug and play? Pack in a small flat head? Sure. This rumor would be more credible if it's for the 2nd gen watch.

Apple did close the port, but with a removable cover. Underneath that cover, the port can be accessed. Apple uses it in-store to charge their watches kept on display. A band maker was planning on using the port to charge the watch using battery cells built-in to their band. I haven't been keeping up with their developments so I'm not sure how their project is doing.

 

[BlueMoon63]

This is great news as long as the band aren't something you wouldn't want to wear. All in all, I hope this happens and happens soon. Every new biometric feature you can add to the watch, the more valuable the watch is for me. I had to have a physical and was showing my doctor my sleep analysis and workouts and heart rate. He loved the features and asked if it could do more. Sadly it can't... Yet.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Apple did close the port, but with a removable cover. Underneath that cover, the port can be accessed. Apple uses it in-store to charge their watches kept on display. A band maker was planning on using the port to charge the watch using battery cells built-in to their band. I haven't been keeping up with their developments so I'm not sure how their project is doing.

So Apple is going to have anyone with an Apple Watch come in to remove the port? While it may be possible it's certainly not intended to be user removable. That just seems extremely unapple to me.

 

[jamescharley22]

So Apple is going to have anyone with an Apple Watch come in to remove the port?

It's actually a very simple procedure you can accomplish with a wall thumbtack at home. I did it just now and it took me a few seconds to take my band off, put the pin in the hole similar to ejecting a SIM card on iPhones and iPads, and tilt the tack to lift the cover off. All you have to do it slide it back in place then press down with your thumbtack.

 

[jamescharley22]

Am I missing something? Apple CLOSED the port. They have no intention of letting us use it at this point in time. Maybe v2 will leave the ports open or something, but I wouldn't get our hopes up for gen1.

Exactly! The port is not user accessible so how can they sell a smart band that is plug and play? Pack in a small flat head? Sure. This rumor would be more credible if it's for the 2nd gen watch.

The company/group/whatever they may be is called Reserve Strap.

 

[SMIDG3T]

I'd just wish they'd make a PRODUCT(RED) sport band!