The latest details to arrive on Apple’s rumored plans for its iWatch streamed in overnight, talking about multiple hardware versions and a bevy of sensors providing the wearable with all sorts of data about the user and his or her environment. At least some of those sensors are rumored to gather health data, which makes perfect sense considering the heavy focus on HealthKit we saw at the iOS 8 launch earlier this month. But now some new info has come our way that makes clear just to what extent health and fitness are to be a part of the iWatch, with word that Apple’s recruiting pro athletes to assist with testing.
Specifically, we’ve heard that NBA player Kobe Bryant and the NHL’s Dustin Brown (above) have signed-on with Apple for its iWatch testing. While details of the actual testing activities haven’t similarly leaked, the fact that Apple’s going after pros in different sports (with differing fitness needs) suggests that the iWatch and its software will allow quite a bit of flexibility in how it gathers and analyzes data.
Beyond the basic sensors like a pedometer a heart rate monitor, we could also see ones equipped to measure blood pressure or even hydration levels – something a pro who’s running up and down the court all day will be interested in keeping an eye on.
Will an iWatch so jam-packed with sensors possibly be able to sleek and aesthetically refined, or is this going to be a bulky, ruggedized, very “sport”-looking watch? We’re also told that Apple has two versions of the iWatch it’s working on, one as a very sport/fitness model, and one that’s more concerned with fashion. We don’t yet know if that means losing a few sensors on the designer model, but that could be a possibility.
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