The Apple iWatch may not be a primary device for Apple, with more limited features than originally rumoured.
A new report has reduced the iWatch to nothing more than a glorified peripheral, despite a wealth of rumours that suggest otherwise.
According to a report from MobiHealthNews citing sources with “limited but direct knowledge of Apple’s plans”, the iWatch’s technological capabilities will be more basic than previous rumours indicate.
However, it will function in a similar way to fitness trackers like the Nike FuelBand SE and Misfit Shine.
“A source tells us that the team Apple has assembled is intended to ensure that the health sensing capabilities of the device are efficacious”, said the MobiHealthNews report.
Although Nike and other fitness tracker manufacturers use their own fitness points system, Apple will use realistic metrics like calories, but will not be able to offer glucose sensing.
Due to its fitness focus, the Apple iWatch will be a peripheral device rather than a primary one, despite Apple’s assertion that it will launch new product categories in 2014.
This means the iWatch will require smartphone connectivity to be fully optimised, rather than offering smartphone functionality in its own right.
The sources also suggest that the rumoured iOS 8 HealthBook app is the real deal, but may launch under another name.
Apparently it will most likely become a library for your health and fitness information and provide feedback and analysis of the data.
The previous rumours of HealthBook being able to monitor your hydration level was not corroborated by the sources, who were said to be “highly sceptical” of the feature.
It will however be capable of focusing on monitoring your exercise, diet, sleep, stress and medication adherence, and even potentially women’s health and fertility cycles for those looking to have a baby.
Read more: Apple iWatch features – Let us know what you’d like to see
