New Delhi: There could be a significant shake up in Apple’s wearables approach. The company claims to be experimenting with a wearable screen-free gadget that will function akin to a fitness band than a traditional smartwatch. The device, which will be a big focus on health and fitness if it launches, would directly compete with others like the Whoop and the Oura in tracking health and fitness.
The potential new wearable comes at a time when consumers seek smaller and easier-to-use wearables. A screen-free wearable like this would not require a screen to check notifications, apps or other data. Rather, it might primarily be about gathering health and fitness data and talking with the consumer’s iPhone and other devices by Apple.
Apple could focus on health and AI
Health tracking and AI (artificial intelligence) could be one of the largest assets to Apple’s arsenal. According to the reports Apple is developing more intelligent health features and a new Siri experience. It’s also said that the new Health app will be reshaped to meet the evolving demand for AI-driven wellness tools.
This might be a benefit to Apple when the competition in the fitness segment is becoming increasingly more intense. If a screen-free device could record the activities and health information used throughout the day, it might never give the user an incentive to continually use a screen.
How Apple could compete with Whoop and Oura
Whoop already has a solid track in fitness via its screen-free offering, while Oura has made smart rings trendy among health-conscious users. These are for fitness, recovery and health metrics and should be lightweight.
Apple has the potential to match its competitors by pairing its health functionality with its extensive ecosystem. Users of iPhone might end up having a seamless experience on their cell phone, wearable and Health app. The other advantage of a good brand name would be that Apple would be able to garner customers who are looking for a more functional alternative to a full smartwatch.
But Apple hasn’t officially announced the new screen-free wearable or when it’s available. Apple Watch is expected to have more changes as well, including a couple of different shapes for the display and new form factors are rumored too.
If Apple can make this idea successful, then it could certainly be a game changer in the wearable market again. Rather than beefing up smartwatches with more features, more power and so on, it seems Apple is aiming at the humble, the simple and the smarter health-focused smartwatch.
