Why not create an Apple Watch without a screen?

[aircanman]

Easy, double tap and it speaks the time ... or something like this wouldn't be a "watch" at all , it would be something new like, Apple Healthband ™

Basically what I am looking at.

I don’t know... I had a Fitbit - 3 actually. They all disintegrated within 6 months each. Quality sucked - so I can see your desire for a quality product with similar function.

However, I think you miss what I consider to be the whole point of the Apple Watch - to NOT use your phone and decrease the amount of time distracted by the digital world. You keep saying “well the phone is always right there.” True, but the moment you pick it up, it’s in your hand and often that presents an opportunity to use a billion apps. The watch brings you back to simply checking the time or triaging you’re notifications. As others have said, if it’s notifying you too much, then your settings are wrong.

The settings were as they were supposed to be, I missed loads of notifications, I just found the whole user interface clunky, and I am not the only one, the forum is full of people saying the same thing.

I would love the benefits of the Apple Watch, without the screen, fitness tracking, haptics and even siri if they felt the need to add it.

 

[jtara]

A “watch without a display”? How would you know what time it is? Voice announcements?

It would be great if Apple would come out with a fitness band. It could be worn while wearing your favorite mechanical or electronic watch, or even on opposite wrist from Apple Watch which would be great for some fitness and VR activities, etc.

I was just thinking of an idea for an app (I’m a developer) that would - ideally - need a sensor on each wrist.

One would look silly wearing a watch on both hands, and anyway you can only pair with one watch.

Just starting research, and so thanks this got me thinking that perhaps FitBit data might be available through CoreMotion once the FitBit app is installed on phone? In any case through their own SDK.

Still, it would be great to have the SAME sensors on both wrists.

Some sensors would be redundant if wearing a watch and a fitness band - e.g. GPS so maybe two models - a less expensive “companion” model for second wrist. Tho I think there would initially be limited use for this.

Maybe some interesting medical-related applications?

Oh, yea, for sure! Could take ECG without having to touch the crown with finger of other hand, doh!