While other wearable tech may be ahead of the curve, Apple continues to miss the mark when it comes to the development of its upcoming watch. While other models offered by competitors boast the ability to monitor heart-rate, amongst a myriad of other important vitals, Apple has announced that they are scrapping the health-monitoring tech from its upcoming product on account of problems with sensors and their regulators.
While the upcoming device has garnered quite a lot of attention from tech watchdogs eager to report what Apple will bring to the table next, it appears that inconsistencies with sensor readings have failed to meet the company's strict product standards. And seeing as factors such as hairy arms and sweaty skin greatly impacted the readings, Apple has rather decided to scrap the health-monitoring tech from the device and stick with what it does best.
"Apple also experimented with ways to detect blood pressure or the amount of oxygen in the blood, but the results were inconsistent" sources told the Wall Street Journal. "Moreover, if Apple interpreted the numbers to provide health or behavior advice, the company likely would have needed approval from the US Food and Drug Administration and other regulators."
But that doesn't mean they're throwing in the towel just yet.
According to reports, the company has asked its suppliers in Asia to begin the first quarter by making an estimated five to six million Apple Watches, leading many to believe that the product will finally hit shelves in April.
And it appears that the modified, more vanilla form of the Apple Watch will still pack quite a punch.
While headlines have pointed to Apple CEO Tim Cook implying that the new Apple Watch could help prevent cancer, the company has made it clear that its new features will help keep wearers active with a particular focus on new research. As new studies prove that a sedentary lifestyle further adds to growing risks of developing cancer, Apple has decided to get its customers up and moving.
"Some doctors now think that sitting down for long periods is the new cancer" Cook said in his keynote address at the recent Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference. "So, ten minutes before the hour the Watch software taps you to make you have a walk around."
"It's quite funny to be in a meeting at Apple and ten minutes before the hour people get up and start moving around."
"But people like it."
