We already know the future of the Apple Watch

If you’re in the business of making wearable health sensors, then I hope you’re already knocking on the Apple R&D door, because that’s where you may make your fortune, if your solution works.

Expect more sensors in future

Apple is intent on fielding fresh capabilities in future generations of the device in order to make the Apple Watch the “Doctor on your wrist.” That’s the obvious conclusion from the Wall Street Journal’s Apple Watch report – whatever features the first generation product doesn’t offer it will gain in future iterations.

This means we know future models will boast a growing number of health-related sensors. Even now, it will help you maintain better health by addressing some key risks. “Sitting is the new cancer,” Apple CEO Tim Cook has said.

You see, while developing the product, Apple considered different sensor technologies to provide stress, heart rate and blood pressure monitors, but rejected those that didn’t perform consistently or required regulatory approval.

At it’s simplest, you need approval if you offer a feature to help people deal with or solve specific problems, but you don’t if you offer features to help people understand that problem better. Adding to the complexity, such approval may be required in each country.

Also read: An Apple Watch user guide

Huge medical accessory market growth

These regulatory hurdles are a big opportunity for mHealth developers, who will be able to make good businesses out of creating HealthKit-compatible devices to perform specific functions that require such approval, making these available country by country over time.

What that means is that you can predict a series of rapid debuts of complex personal health solutions compatible with HealthKit, iPhone and Apple Watch. Medical markets seem receptive; look at the success the company is having with HealthKit in hospitals, and note Nike’s decision to add HealthKit support to FuelBand.

“When I think about connectivity and using applications and remote monitoring technology, I see two big baskets,” HSHS Medical Group’s Andrew Bland told MobiHealthNews. “First is the consumer side, which is what the Apple Watch exists in…. The second is intensive medical monitoring.”

Also read: 12 Apple Watch details we now think we know

It is likely Apple may acquire added technologies from some competitors, while paying close attention to new sensor developments from such firms as CliniCloud, Force Therapeutics, or MindWave.

Big data and beyond

Apple has previously promised that developers will be able to create Apple Watch native apps later this year. I suspect this schedule may slip, but it seems likely that as each successive Apple Watch delivers faster processors, better battery life and new sensors, we will see the capabilities of its native apps improve. I am convinced the Watch will eventually replace the iPhone.

What next? Apple Watch users will be generating their own accurate health information 24/7 and will supplement this with specific peripheral tools designed to deliver more advanced tests.

That represents a big opportunity for the development of AI services to deliver actionable insights. Apple, Apple/IBM and others will be able to create services to help Apple Watch users understand their health, but regulation will mean medical pros will develop solutions to deliver accurate health diagnosis and advice. This should make for “better and individualized healthcare available wherever there is a mobile signal. The most exciting prospect in the history of medicine lies before us,” as Dr. Eric Topol told digital health expert Paul Sonnier.

You see, we already know quite a lot about the future of the Apple Watch. And, if you have consistently robust sensor technologies, you should probably call Cupertino, as I think they’ll listen to your pitch.

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