Last week, Europe-based news website letemsvetemapplem.eu reported that Apple is preparing “Smart Bands” to add additional health tracking sensors to the current-generation Apple Watch. The article went on to say that Apple would release the bands starting next year instead of refreshing the Apple Watch’s core hardware, with speculation that Apple does not believe people will upgrade their Watches annually like iPhones. Based on discussions with our sources, we do not believe this report to be entirely true.
According to our sources, the Apple Watch is indeed capable of sourcing health data from bands: the Apple Watch and its diagnostic port were actually designed with the possibility of bands with sensors launching in the future. These potential sensor bands could also integrate with the Apple Watch over Bluetooth, and Bluetooth-based health accessory connectivity is already an option in the Apple Watch’s Settings application, but sources note that the port is actually more reliable and faster than Bluetooth. Regardless, we are told that the potential presence of “Smart Bands” will not deter Apple from annually upgrading the Apple Watch’s hardware.
We reported earlier this year that Apple is already preparing a second-generation Apple Watch, with some internal prototypes including a FaceTime camera on the front of the device. Besides the uncertainty of bands providing a more accurate reading on health data in comparison to sensors on the bottom of the Apple Watch’s case, selling bands that integrate with the Apple Watch’s diagnostic port would not be a pleasant user experience. The port is fully covered by a difficult-to-remove cap on the Apple Watch, which would be tough for users to adjust even with a watch band upgrade kit.
While Apple is unlikely to add functionality to the current-generation model via the diagnostic port with technology-infused bands, some third-party developers are already looking at ways to leverage the port. We reported earlier this year that accessory makers are working on bands that could charge the Apple Watch via the diagnostic port. It appears that accessory makers are attempting to leverage the Apple Watch to build a business around battery packs, just like with the iPhone. Earlier this year, Apple opened up a “Made for Apple Watch” program for accessory makers to build official accessories, but this category does not (yet) cover battery packs.
(Image: Xavier Harding/iDigitalTimes)
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I cringe every time someone suggests the FaceTime for apple watch… a lot of people will be just Facetiming to ceilings or double chins, and holy cow it will be uncomfortable to hold in position for more than a minute
not different from face timing from the iPad or iPhone. and most people don’t really talk more than 1 minute. we have shit to do.
Yes it is very different having to twist your wrist in the opposite direction you would with holding an iPhone…..and Facetime calls are never that short for me so Im not sure where you get that value from.
I don’t know if FaceTime on your wrist would be a good user experience. But Apple will know – user experience is what they focus on.
I think if they include a camera it might be more for scanning barcodes and other auxiliary uses. I could see facetime though… as long as they fade to black if you put your arm down or it will be disorienting for the other party.
I agree, but there are some battles you can’t win against the consumer. Reminds me of the iPad:
I doubt Apple wanted to invest in anything more than a simple back-facing camera for simple, quick shots, but then we had people using their iPads as camera replacements, which in turn forced Apple to invest more advanced camera tech in the tablet (rivaling the iPhone!) just to appease that crowd since they were gonna do it anyway.
I have the current (black stainless steel) Apple Watch. The watch itself is cheaper than the stainless black steel band I got. The bands were expensive (too much IMHO). I hope that I can upgrade just the Apple Watch itself and still use the current band I have. I would be seriously pissed off otherwise. They may make the Apple Watch thinner but the current band should still fit.
You bring up a good point that many haven’t considered. If what you suggest happens, I think many more people would feel like it is justified to buy the expensive stainless steel band and the following year just buy a less expensive watch/band combo. As for the space black stainless steel model, I don’t know how that will work in the future but as the lineup stands, you can only get it with the hefty price of the stainless steel band…
The ability to easily swap bands is one of my favorite features. Adding a fitness band with health functionality sounds like great idea.
I really wish Apple would refrain from upgrading certain products annually (i.e. iPad, Apple Watch) to free up resources to upgrade the existence “Apple experience” relating to other Apple products and services. A bi-annual upgrade of said products would actually give us something exciting to look forward to besides minuscule upgrades barely worth talking about.
I think an 18-24 month cycle for iPads is right. I.m not sure on the Apple Watch. I’m sure battery and sensor technology upgrades will be come frequent enough to have yearly updates for now or have a health senior Leiden version and the normal Apple Watch. I would like to see a health related version this fall or the spring.
I really don’t like the idea of the sensors being in the straps.
FaceTime in the Apple Watch WOULD BE INSANELY STUPID. Not intelligent design, and if anyone doesn’t no why that is, they are stupid.
Know**** god dammit this comment system is perfect.
Can we PLEASE get over the Dick Tracy thingy, with FaceTime on a watch?
I hope they work on improving the battery life on this thing, because having to charge YET one more thing overnight isn’t happening with me. I’m about to buy myself a Fitbit Surge, just for the HR monitoring + notifications (semi-smartwatch). If an Watch 2 comes out this year, I might hold out for it. If, however, Apple means to upgrade the Watch hardware in 2017, then I’m off for the Fitbit Surge in no time (sure, it’s nowhere near as stylish, but it does most of the things I want it to and it’s cheap enough)
Before farting around with a FaceTime camera on the apple watch they NEED to do something about that dingy speaker. When I am biking, I use the watch to tell the doorman to raise the garage door. He can barely hear me. In it’s present iteration, it borders on worthless.
If they release a sport band with GPS chip built in, I would buy it in a second.