Don't tell
the fanboys, but Apple has been inspired by rivals before now too.
Chatter
about Apple’s iWatch is already approaching fever pitch. And we’re still at
least six months away from Tim Cook revealing the device which has been
mentioned across the web for over a year now.
There’s
been so much talk about the iWatch’s fitness smarts and its potential
features, though, that we can already get a good idea of what Apple wants it
smart watch to do.
So, we've
gone over the gossip with a fine tooth comb and picked out what we think will
be the key influences on the gadget of 2014. Read on for all the
details.
1. Nike FuelBand
Nike’s
influence on the iWatch simply cannot be underestimated.
Tim Cook
sits on the sports giant’s board and Apple has hired Jay Blahnik, a
fitness guru who helped Nike develop the Fuelband.
Cook is on
record with how much he loves Nike’s fitness tracker, saying the company has
done ‘a great job’ with it.
Seeing as
Nike’s fitness app is native on the iPod nano, expect to see Apple draw plenty
of inspiration for the iWatch from other Nike kit, especially the Fuelband.
2. Basis B1 Band
Health is
at the heart of the Basis B1 Band. It not only tracks your heart rate and blood
pressure, it’ll also check on your core temperature and even look at the
intensity of your workout.
With all
the talk about Apple’s new HealthBook app for iOS 8 and its integration with
the iWatch, you can be sure Jony Ive and Apple’s designers will have looked at
the Basis to see how it can do things as well, if not better.
3. Fitbit Flex
Fitbit has
carved out a niche with its excellent health trackers. The Flex, which looks
similar in design to Nike’s FuelBand, is surely another touchstone for Apple.
Its design
is minimal, it looks into everything from calories burned to distance covered,
and has an excellent website for stashing and reviewing personal data.
Chuck in
its ability to track sleep patterns, something Apple reputedly wants its
HealthBook app to do and you can be certain this is a device that Cupertino
staffers are using daily.
4. Pronto 7
A medical
gadget. But one that has a unique place in the iWatch story.
See, this
piece of kit was developed by Marcelo Lamego, a man hired by Apple in January
from medical device firm Cercacor.
It can
track oxygen saturation levels, something Apple may want to push in future
versions of Health Book and the iWatch. Lamego’s position at Apple shows it’s
taking this whole fitness thing very seriously indeed.
5. Samsung Galaxy Gear
Apple won’t
have looked to Sammy’s failed attempt at a smart watch for design hints or
software ideas.
Rather, it
will want to learn all about how not to launch a smart watch. Samsung’s device
suffered from an over abundance of features, something Apple will be
keenly aware of.
The first
generation of any Apple device always plays it safe, so Cook and co will use
Sammy’s effort as a marker. Don’t overdo it on your first go.
