Could Smart Bands finally be on the horizon?
The Apple Watch Series 4 has been around for a few months now, so naturally it's time to turn our attention over to the Series 5, which is being finalized somewhere deep in the halls of Apple's spaceship campus.
The Series 4 was a big jump forward for Apple, bringing aboard a medical-grade ECG sensor and transitioning its smartwatch into a serious health wearable.
Read this: The best Apple Watch apps, tested
But what could the Series 5 have in store? We've put together our best analysis based on patents, rumors and intuition to come up with this list of features.
A new health sensor
The Apple Watch's ECG sensor was, and still is, a huge deal; by turning the Watch into an FDA-cleared AFib detector, Apple leaped ahead in the race for health wearables. Now it needs to keep leaping. With the Series 5, we'd like to see more health sensors added.
An SpO2 sensor would make sense for its next play, allowing users to track their blood oxygen levels. This can be particularly helpful for sleep - it's why Fitbit is currently getting the tech cleared for its own wearables - but that's not an area the Apple Watch is strong on, due to its short battery life. But what if...
Longer battery life
Look, we say this every year and we probably won't stop saying it for a long time to come, but if Apple can get that battery life to the 2-3 day mark, the Watch could become a viable sleep tracker. Apple is definitely interested in sleep tech, but it knows its meager battery life is keeping it on the back foot.
Improving the battery life could mean sleep tracking, which could mean making use of new health sensors and finally taking on Fitbit in the land of nod.
New health features aside, the battery life on the Apple Watch is behind all the major rivals bar Wear OS. Apple could even sell a battery-extending smart band accessory that gives the Watch a boost. Speaking of which...
Smart Bands
Smart bands for the Apple Watch have been rumored for a long, long time, and they've been backed up with patent after patent. It's only a matter of time until they arrive, and 2019 feels like the optimal time.
These Smart Bands could be used to add features to the Apple Watch, such as a band could read blood pressure (like the Omron HeartGuide) or something that can register your glucose level. They could even add non-health features like a camera.
As for how it would work, you only need to look at the iPad's Smart Connector, which can provide power to accessories while also syncing small amounts of data. It's possible that Apple has learned how to shrink that tech, sticking it in the Apple Watch where bands fit in. Naturally, Smart Bands would connect to the Smart Connector and draw power and transfer data - no need for extra charging, battery replacing or Bluetooth (like on the ECG-reading KardiaBand).
More uses for NFC
The Apple Watch has NFC, but it's only used for Apple Pay and GymKit. Compare that to an iPhone, which gained the ability to use NFC for much more in iOS 12, like opening up your hotel room, using transit tickets, and more.
It's called Background Tag Reading, and on a technical level it just means you only need to unlock your phone to use NFC. No need to open up separate apps. Why not extend this to the Apple Watch?
The Apple Watch doesn't exactly lend itself to opening apps up all the time, so NFC that was a little more instant and easier to use would be extremely helpful. A quick tap of your wrist could get you into your hotel room, on your train and more.
More purchasing partnerships
Health care providers and insurance companies are super into wearables because they can keep customers healthier, which is a win-win for everyone. A lot of them, like John Hancock, have even started programs where you can get a subsidized Apple Watch (or Fitbit, or other wearable) if you maintain your fitness goals.
It's a great idea, but it's one that Apple needs to actively court. Imagine if Apple struck deals with healthcare providers like Kaiser Permanente or gyms like 24-Hour Fitness where members got subsidized Apple Watches as long as they hit their goals?
Apple would sell a buttload of Apple Watches, and it would be easier than ever to get one. Apple is already talking to Medicare providers to bring Apple Watch to at-risk seniors, why not go big for everyone? The company is increasingly focusing on Apple Watch's health features, and this would be the next big step.
Android support
Even a year ago this might have sounded absurd, but hear us out: What if Apple let its smartwatch work with Android phones? The last few months have seen Cupertino open its walled garden more than ever: Apple Music on Amazon Echo speakers, AirPlay 2 and HomeKit on third-party smart TVs; even iTunes has found its way onto Samsung TVs. And Apple already gives Android users access to Apple Music through an app. What if it did the same for the Apple Watch?
There are some obstacles here, iMessage being a big one, Siri being another. It would probably mean a cut-down experience for Android phone users, but it would be a small price to pay for access to one of the best smartwatches, and might even encourage Google to push harder on Wear OS.
All we're saying is, think about it.
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