Apple seems to have more than just a passing interest in the health and fitness industry. In the past few months, Apple has hired several health technology professionals and is reportedly hard at work on adding a health and fitness focus to its next iOS software update, iOS 8.
Many leading health technology professionals have left good positions in their fields to do research for Apple. The research is very hush hush, but all indications point to the fact that Apple has big plans for bringing mobile technology to the health industry. Some analysts even believe that Apple aims to create its own health and fitness services platform. If these reports prove true, it could mean that Apple will open a separate marketplace or app store for health and fitness related devices and software.
According to Reuters, Apple has snatched up at least six biomedicine specialists for research and development purposes. One very high profile researcher just joined Apple two weeks ago and unnamed sources say that Apple is still adding health professionals to its payroll. Several people with backgrounds in sensor technology hardware have also been hired in recent months.
Among those hired by Apple in recent months are: Masimo chief medical officer Michael O'Reilly, Cercacor CTO Marcelo Lamego, Vital Connect's VP of biosensor technology Ravi Narasimhan and embedded biosensor expert Nima Ferdosi. Some speculate that Alexander Chan, a former biomedical engineer from Vital Connect, is also working for Apple. Hardware experts Nancy Dougherty, from the wearable sensor company Sano Intelligence and Todd Whitehurst, the VP of product at Senseonics for gluclose monitoring, are reportedly with Apple now, too. Apple's most recent acquisition is Divya Nag, the founder of StartX Med.
Many analysts believe that Apple is working on bio sensors that will measure various aspects of mobile users' health, including heart rate, breathing rate, blood sugar levels and more health-related measurements. These sensors could then be used in medical or fitness devices down the road or perhaps even in future iPhones.
One anonymous mobile health executive stated that after a conversation with Apple, he believes that the company's interest in health and fitness is deeper than just the iWatch. Although Apple's first smartwatch will undoubtedly have a strong health and fitness focus, the executive said that Apple might also open a separate app store or marketplace for health-related apps and services.
Although none of this speculation can be confirmed, a big push into health and fitness would make sense for Apple, as the mobile tech industry turns its focus on wearable devices and fitness bands.
