In a world where smartwatches are becoming more and more popular, one option stands apart – the Apple Watch. In a recent interview with Hodinkee Magazine, Apple designer Jony Ive explained its origin.
Instead of looking to create just a new product to help users manage notifications, Apple opted to focus on health. The company has been making various strides in recent years to improve the health of its users.
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In fact, with the launch of the Apple Watch Series 3, there were a lot of new features. These include smart activity coaching, an improved heart rate app, Gym Connect, and new features for swimmers.
Part of this was made possible by the fact that the Series 3 is now waterproof. It also marks the first Apple Watch to launch with an LTE option.
Updates have been pushed to devices like the iPhone and Apple Watch to make it easier to track your progress. The Apple Watch has been something of a catalyst for getting people off of the couch.
This is especially apparent when you head over to the Watch subreddit. There are loads of success stories about how this specific smartwatch improved lives.
Back to the interview, Ive stated that the company’s focus was:
“…developing both the hardware and software to form the foundation for all of the health-based capabilities”.
The Apple Watch is becoming so useful, that health insurance providers are getting in. These companies are also looking to using the smartwatch for wellness programs, with the help of discounted products.
What may be surprising is that the idea for the Apple Watch didn’t arrive until after Steve Jobs’ passing. Ive stated that the idea came about when executives were looking into “what trajectory we were on as a company”.
This is rather surprising considering how far ahead Apple actually plans its devices. It’s no secret that the company does not just live on a year-to-year basis, but also is enthralled in looking to the future.
This idea from Apple spawned the most popular watch in the world. Some estimates even state that Apple’s smartwatch “outsold the entire Swiss watch industry last year”.
It’s extremely apparent that the Apple Watch is not just for enthusiasts. Apple has been hard at work since its inception in 2012 to really turn the market on its head.
Google may be looking to put a bit of a dent in that this Fall. The company has recently been rumored to be launching three new smartwatches, although it’s not known whether these will be fitness focused.
On the Fitbit front, the Versa and Ionic were recently updated with a slew of new fitness-focused features. These include a wellness program from Humana, along with an array of others.
Apple Watch is the clear winner in the smartwatch/wearable market, and the company shows no signs of slowing down. 2018 will be an interesting year as the design of the Apple Watch could be seeing a much-needed refresh.
Let us know what you think about the Apple Watch and if you have a success story of your own to share.
