Screenless fitness trackers seem to be gaining traction, with both the Garmin CIRQA and Google Fitbit Air launching earlier this year. Now, it seems like Apple might be looking to jump into the product category. According to a recent report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the bitten fruit brand is developing a wrist-worn device that may become a rival to the health and fitness trackers offered by Whoop Inc.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Gurman claimed that Apple has been exploring the idea for several months and is now developing prototypes. At the moment, the project is in a preliminary phase known as a technology investigation. Although these efforts apparently have support from the tech giant’s top executives, Apple has yet to decide on whether it should release the product.
As per the report, the prototypes feature a thin fabric band with a sensor-equipped computing module. Like the Apple Watch, the device can detect and track the wearer’s vitals and other health metrics. What sets it apart from the smartwatch lineup is the lack of a screen, which has the advantage of minimising distractions from notifications and other functions.
Apparently, the rise of companies like Whoop and Oura in the wearables space has motivated Apple to move in this direction. The idea of a competing product has supposedly drawn the interest of executive chairman Tim Cook and services chief Eddy Cue in particular.
Cue has been pushing for the adoption of features from rival companies, which has led to new tools and a revamped Health app. In addition to a cleaner interface for the app, the brand has introduced more advanced heart rate tracking and the new readiness score, among other things. So, a screenless fitness tracker seems like the next step to keep pace with the competition.
That said, even if Apple decides to move forward with the project, a finished product is unlikely to see a release before 2028. As far as wearable devices go, the brand has quite a few irons in the fire, including camera-equipped AirPods and smart glasses, both of which may debut next year. Other than that, the company has been working on an AI pendant, though Gurman claimed that this particular idea is on the backburner. Finally, a “major update” for the smartwatch lineup is slated for 2027.
(Source: Bloomberg)
