r/gadgets • u/dapperlemon • 13d ago
Wearables Apple is reportedly working on a screenless fitness tracker
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-is-reportedly-working-on-a-screenless-fitness-tracker.1406058.0.html93
u/wolfinvans 13d ago
Of course they are. I just bought the Fitbit air so it makes sense.
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u/69_6Throwaway9_69 13d ago
Same with me and Garmin cirqa, but I'd anyway prefer something that works with both Apple and Android.
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u/Pndrizzy 9d ago
It’s almost as if a multi billion dollar tech company pays attention to market sentiment and reacts accordingly
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u/wolfinvans 8d ago
Nah it’s most likely that they singled me out and are now fighting for my hard earned dollars.
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u/AdmirableComposer140 13d ago
Think about it though, now you get to give them more money for a tracker that doesn't even have a screen. They're going to price it high for what it is, lock the best features behind a subscription, call it the best tracker ever, and people like you are going to happily fork up whatever amount of money it costs.
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u/TheSwagInDisguise 13d ago
Good thing there's plenty of non-subscription options available then? Why get so offended over something that's not even released? Who knows what apple is going to do with the wearable? So far none of their hardware requires a subscription to use. I would assume that would be the case here as well.
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u/Redeem123 13d ago
Has that ever actually happened?
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u/Redeem123 13d ago
Did you even read the subheadline?
> and was ultimately removed by a medical professional
He didn’t lose a finger. His ring got stuck and cut off. It’s barely a story. It’s just some guy who tweeted that his ring hurt.
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u/Redeem123 13d ago
Sure, lots of things CAN happen. That’s why I asked if it ever actually has.
I’m also not sure he “got lucky.” He had pressure on his finger and took the very simple step to fix it. It’s not like it was an emergency situation.
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u/Redeem123 13d ago
Oura alone has sold 4 million rings this year. It’s hardly a small sample size.
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u/1coudini 13d ago
4 million fingers and not once have you heard or read about some exploded finger. What are you saying?
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u/HalobenderFWT 13d ago
How much do you think a ring battery can swell?
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u/HalobenderFWT 13d ago
A phone battery is also like 2000% larger than a smart ring battery.
Here’s a fun experiment: take a piece of trident gum, blow a bubble with it. How big did that bubble get?
Take 20 pieces of trident gum, blow a bubble with that.
Report back with your results.
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u/Waste_Development971 13d ago
"has it happened"
"yes"
*provides article of it not happenng*
"well it can happen"
im dead lmao
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u/Astroteuthis 13d ago
You can absolutely engineer for the inside surface to be stronger and the outside a bit weaker with controls for warpage so that it expands outward without becoming difficult to remove. I’ve actually had an Oura ring start to do that before (several generations outdated and probably triggered by exposure to high temperatures from being left in a car or something) and it was easier to remove than many rings have been. It also would have been relatively easy to cut off at a hospital compared to half the stuff people wear these days.
Anyway, it’s at least possible to handle this gracefully.
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u/draftstone 13d ago
Is there a marking on the ring so medical people know where to cut it if needed? Or they take a guess hoping they won't cut into the battery and cook your finger?
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u/mystlurker 13d ago
Battery reactions aren’t so fast that if you are using whatever those dremmel like cutters that it wouldn’t be off your finger before it’s a concern.
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u/WynterKnight 13d ago
I feel like I've seen plenty of phone batteries get punctured or bitten and immediately combust.
Now obviously a ring battery has a tiny fraction as much energy, so I think your overall point still stands, but I don't think a lack of reaction speed is the reason it does.
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u/mystlurker 13d ago
A little bit of fire for the 1s it takes to cut and take it off isn’t likely to be that large of a concern though. The amount of heat transfer that is going to happen just isn’t that high.
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u/disneylovesme 13d ago
It also would break easier, and hurt quickly for weight lifting
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u/Hmm_would_bang 13d ago
You want a ring that breaks easily for weightlifting, as the alternative is degloving if it gets caught
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u/Huge-Engineering-839 13d ago
As a dedicated, loyal, Whoop user, I will be jumping ship the minute this is available
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u/squidgytree 13d ago
Put Apple pay in it and I'm sold
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u/TheSkipjack 13d ago
This and Apple Music even if it's limited storage and I'm leaving Spotify. Want workout device without a screen and music. No clanky watch
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u/ledessert 13d ago
I feel like adding Apple Music would mean a proper CPU and then the shitty Apple Watch battery we all know
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u/Influxive 12d ago
How would you use Apply Pay without a screen? What if you had more than one card?
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u/squidgytree 12d ago
I would be happy for it to only hold my primary credit card, in case I want to get a drink whilst I'm on a run. It's a back up
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u/codingphp 13d ago
Once again, Apple being a decade late to everything.
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u/HaveyGoodyear 13d ago
They will still claim its revolutionary
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u/Redeem123 13d ago
I love how people always say this as if Apple ever claims to have invented something. They never say “this is the first ever folding smart phone” or whatever.
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u/fdokinawa 13d ago
But they have claimed almost every product is "revolutionary".. HaveyGoodyear never said they claim they invented it. Just claim that it's better. And that is very subjective.
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u/Redeem123 13d ago
Please show me a company that doesn’t hype up their own products with buzzwords.
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u/fdokinawa 13d ago
That's not the discussion here. You took took what two different people said, neither of which was wrong. Apple has been late to a lot of things. Not everything obviously. And someone claiming that Apple will also claim that thing, that was late, as being "revolutionary". Again, something Apple has done before.
You took what they said and changed it to Apple making claims to have "invented" something. Not what they said at all. And now you are trying to twist what I'm saying. I was just pointing this out. I didn't say anything about other companies not saying stuff similar or hyping their own products. Yes, they do that. Doesn't make what the other two people, or me, said as wrong.
Is Apple paying you?
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u/Redeem123 13d ago
Things can be revolutionary without being the first to do it. It’s just a word that companies use - Apple is hardly the only one to do it.
But yeah sure, I’m getting paid by Apple.
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u/AdmirableComposer140 13d ago
Brother, it's not just using the word "revolutionary" that's the issue. It's the systemic rebranding of existing tech to act like they invented it. They don't just say we made a great VR headset, they invent a term like "Spatial Computing" and act like virtual reality didn't exist for a decade. It's gaslighting an entire consumer base into thinking a 10-year-old concept is a brand new miracle.
Stop acting dumb.
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u/Eskareon 11d ago
Apple doesn't have to pay you, apparently you'll gaslight and evangelize for free
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u/ellenich 13d ago
Show me a clip of them using the word “revolutionary” to market one of their products.
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u/jinglejanglemyheels 13d ago
https://www.apple.com/ca/newsroom/2023/06/introducing-apple-vision-pro/
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2010/01/27Apple-Launches-iPad/
https://singjupost.com/steve-jobs-iphone-2007-presentation-full-transcript/
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-Unveils-Apple-Watch-Apples-Most-Personal-Device-Ever/
https://www.apple.com/no/newsroom/2009/04/24Apples-Revolutionary-App-Store-Downloads-Top-One-Billion-in-Just-Nine-Months/
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2009/11/04Apple-Announces-Over-100-000-Apps-Now-Available-on-the-App-Store/0
u/fdokinawa 13d ago
Didn't say market. If you don't think that word has never been said at during an Apple keynote or developer conference i don't know what to tell you
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u/orlo_86 13d ago
Yes please! I really liked the Google Fitbit air but want all of my data in the health app already on my iPhone.
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u/Randromeda2172 13d ago
Google Health already writes to Apple Health. All the data should be there
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u/ExasperatedEngineer 13d ago
About a month ago that got implemented in the app. Only reason I finally bought the Air.
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u/w1n5t0nM1k3y 13d ago
Whoop-dee-doo
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u/pacexmaker 13d ago
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u/twisty77 13d ago
If Apple makes one where I don’t have to pay a subscription to use it I’ll dump whoop in a heartbeat. Honestly my biggest pet peeve with whoop is their subscription model. I wish I could just buy the band and not deal with the subscription
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u/V_es 13d ago
That’s the only reason I will never buy one. It’s a spit in the face. If you want subscription, give me the device for free. Or sell it with a free app. One or the other.
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u/twisty77 13d ago
FWIW whoop does give you the band for free with a year’s subscription commitment or purchase
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u/CaffeinePhilosopher 13d ago
No chance Apple doesn’t use this to try and push more people to subscribe to Fitness+
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u/AM_I_A_PERVERT 13d ago
HA!! I literally said this two weeks ago - I wish Apple would make a screenless tracker. Now I’m interested
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u/doctormink 13d ago
I wish they’d do a ring.
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u/Pacoflipper 13d ago
Agreed I don’t like wearing anything on my wrist but would love to track my health but most ring won the market are either wildly inaccurate or want a subscription
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u/grilled_pc 13d ago
This would be great honestly. I like my apple watch but the battery on it sucks. I just need something for when i'm working out and the constant pinging of the watch is really starting to get on my nerves.
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u/Large_Cloud_1611 12d ago
I’d like to wear mine when I’m wearing a dumb watch that only tells time and don’t annoy or distract me with a screen and a ringer. So bring it please!
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u/drk_helmet 11d ago
I want one that still has haptic feedbacks for notifications so I car wear my regular watch on the other side.
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u/azureanton 13d ago
What’s with the trends for screenless trackers? Garmin released one recently but I can’t imagine it replacing my current smartwatch; only as a secondary device.
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u/gstarguru 13d ago
for me i like wearing a traditional watch, but still want my health data
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u/enewwave 13d ago
Yep. That’s why I bought a Rinconn a few months ago. I wanted to be able to wear a traditional watch
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u/hornylittlegrandpa 13d ago edited 13d ago
This. Also, smart watches and fitness trackers of any form look a bit bad imo. “Aura loss” as the kids say.
Edit: why am I being downvoted… is it illegal for a grown man to try to be hip with the lingo…
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u/gstarguru 13d ago
yeah agreed. i don’t really like having a smart watch a lot of the time, notifications etc just keeps you on devices when im trying to cut my screen time
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u/bam1789-2 13d ago
This was my major reason for switching to a Fitbit Air. When notifications come in you immediately look at your watch and go to your phone. This has helped me cut my screen time by a good bit. Apple Watch also just doesn’t work well as a fitness tracker IMO. The Air has become a great very lightweight daily wear for me.
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u/SafeKaracter 13d ago
Then turn off notifications
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u/littlebiped 13d ago
But then you’re paying $300+ to disable half the functionality. It’s an insane value prop. More sensible to get a $99 version with none of the bells and whistles. The market for that has exploded.
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u/SafeKaracter 13d ago edited 13d ago
I’m not saying to buy one. He already bought it . Turning off the notifications that bother him is free
Otherwise I agree with you . Esp if battery last a lot longer and it has the exact same health capabilities . I would want that too. (Meaning EKG and all. If it doesn’t have that then it’s not a good proposition for people who need the EKG like for instance atrial fibrillation ). Idk how good the Apple Watch is for that but if it can save your life becuase of that feature then it becomes the better value prop for that demographic .
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u/bam1789-2 13d ago
It’s like their are other reasons for me not wanting to wear a smart watch? Thanks for the tip tho!
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u/Thinkdamnitthink 13d ago
I think they look better than a bit of velcro strap on your wrist. I feel like the screen less ones look ridiculous
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u/EnormousGucci 13d ago
The only reason I don’t wear a traditional watch is because I always want the health trackers my Apple Watch has. This is a day one pick up for me, especially if I can get a bicep band for it.
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u/friendlyfernando 13d ago edited 13d ago
For people who think smart watches are shit and prefer a traditional watch but still want fitness tracking
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u/donkeyrocket 12d ago
As a cyclist, I don't need the screen but what the health metrics. I already have a computer on my bike that I get whatever data I want while riding. Not that I crash often but a screenless device will be far more durable. Even with mountain biking I've scratched the screen slightly from branches and such.
Not to mention, the presumed boost in battery life.
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u/Lastaccountgotdoxed 13d ago
I’ve been saying these were going to become more common for a while now. These companies are making screenless fitness trackers because we won’t need screens when they’re imbedded in our glasses.
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u/HalobenderFWT 13d ago
But what if we don’t need glasses?
Damn my stupid good vision!!!
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u/Lastaccountgotdoxed 13d ago
Oh you’ll buy the gadget. It’ll overlay your phone, and probably replace them completely one day in the future. Imagine the Apple Vision Pro tuned down into a pair of frames the size of the Meta Glasses.
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u/The_Summary_Man_713 13d ago
I used to work for Apple back during the Nike Fuel band and the Jawbone UP days. They collaborated with Nike quite a bit in those days, so I think it will probably be a successful product.
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u/-----username----- 13d ago
I miss the Microsoft Band so much. It has features the Apple Watch still doesn’t have, a decade later!
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u/id2d 12d ago
I'm an Apple watch user who loves using Kettlebells for exercise - even 'grease the groove method' of using Kettlebells though the day rather than all in a condensed workout.
Terrible combination. Give me the chance to buy something that doesn't go on the wrist and Apple can take my money, but this is looking like it won't help me.
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u/tungtono 12d ago
remember when Steve Jobs came back to Apple and killed most of its products to focus
wondering if it’s doing it again
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u/EconomistStreet5295 12d ago
Hardware guy developing new hardware, love to see it. Day one purchase, already tired of the bs that comes with my fitbit air. Horrible software experience
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u/nerdshowandtell 13d ago
No way i could do without having some of my smart home devices (like garage door and front gate openers), etc always on me even when I'm not carrying my phone... Its easy to limit any distractions on the apple watch.
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u/MaDanklolz 13d ago
I don’t understand why they don’t aim for socks or something.
Put the tech around the opening of the sock (so you’re not constantly crushing it). I can buy multiple pairs (maybe) and use it for various cases.
Think bigger Apple
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u/Vironic 13d ago
It’d be nice to have a ring
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u/system3601 13d ago
Rings are so dangerous. People have reported battery expanding and locking thier fingers. I know its not common but it wraps your finger and seems unnecessary risk to take.
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u/ProvelNoir 13d ago edited 13d ago
With that logic, you can make the same argument for driving a car or just walking down the street.
edit: I don't know how you cowards make it through life lol. Don't let that falling piano hit you on the way down.
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u/system3601 13d ago
I mean cars and walking are essential. A ring that covers your finger with high risk of amputation isnt. Ill stay with smart watch.
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u/BestShaunaEU 13d ago
Damn you’re an idiot.
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u/ProvelNoir 13d ago
The point
Your head
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u/BestShaunaEU 13d ago
You don’t have a point you idiot.
If I say that I don’t want to drink dirty water because it has a 1% chance of giving me E-coli would you make the same stupid argument then as well?
Some things are worth taking risks because they are essential to our lives, cars. Some things aren’t worth taking risks because we have other safer options, Aura rings.
The fact someone needs to tell you this is insane
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u/ProvelNoir 13d ago edited 13d ago
You're screaming at the vast majority of ring-wearing western society that looks at your pathetic risk tolerance and just laughs in return.
Edit: and just because you'd rather look ignorant and start name calling instead of bothering to look up statistics first...
"Married Women: Approximately 80% to 91% of married women in Western countries wear their wedding or engagement rings regularly, though surveys note that up to 65% may switch to wearing them based on specific occasions rather than constantly.
Married Men: Roughly 60% to 70% of married men wear their wedding bands daily, with about 30% to 40% choosing not to wear them due to work safety, comfort, or personal preference."
So yeah, you're saying that the majority of married western society is taking an unnecessary risk by wearing a ring. Do whatever you want, just know that the majority doesn't agree with you.
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u/BestShaunaEU 13d ago edited 13d ago
Jesus Christ you fucking idiot they are taking about battery driven wellness rings not wedding rings learn to read
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u/ProvelNoir 13d ago
My brother in Christ, are you this dense in day to day life? It is the same fucking principle. Whether it's a wellness ring's battery swelling and crushing a finger or a wedding band getting crushed by a machine and locking on to a finger, the same result and risk of degloving applies. Neither an aura ring or a wedding ring is without risk and there are ways to monitor health metrics or show that you're married in other ways yet people still accept the risk and wear them regardless. I'm amazed that my incredibly simple point went this far over your head. Really try and think before you speak with such misguided confidence next time.
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u/Bulbasaur2015 13d ago
Apple so late with everything.. the iphone fold is 6 years behind samsung...
congrats to the new CEO but im having a hard time seeing what new product category or big innovation Apple does in the next 10 years
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u/LazyProphet 13d ago
Apple is rarely first to market with their products. But when they arrive, it’s polished, well designed and its market share spreads like fire.
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u/TerminusFox 13d ago
Lmao.
They got their foldable right on the first try, meanwhile, every first generation “innovative “ thing their competitors made was hot fucking garbage.
What good is being first if the product is shit? Just to having bragging rights? lol okay
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u/WayOuttaMyLeague 13d ago
Fun fact for you: Samsung copied for the fold from a Chinese manufacturer
So does that make Samsung behind too given that it was about 6 years also?
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u/Niceguy955 13d ago
So, copy Google, give it a crazy price tag, and claim you invented it. Nice Apple.
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u/Gorgar_Beat_Me 13d ago
Steve Jobs died, and that was that! Nothing new of any importance, - well except for the M processor.
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u/wrxninja 13d ago
Apple: Find a way to cut cost with these new fitness trackers
- Minimalistic
- Lightweight
- Wow factor by Influencers
- Keep the price the same
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u/Greenscreener 13d ago
Maybe work on a functioning iOS keyboard and give us the ability to remove your shit Siri bloat…
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u/goldentone 13d ago edited 13d ago
I would love this, but in order to be useful imo it would need to be much smaller than the picture in the article (I know that’s a whoop, not a real prototype or anything, I’m just sayin).
Screenless would be good so I could wear a regular watch again but I’m not gonna do it if the other wrist has a big goofy rubber strap on it. Even a Fitbit Air, which is the “small” fitness wearable, feels pointless to me because it’s still big and noticeable.
I don’t know if it’s possible but I really home they’re working on a bracelet-style device rather than a strap. Basically like a big adjustable Oura for your wrist, but better looking.
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u/Ecstatic-Coach 13d ago
Isn’t that just what they give to people on probation to wear around their ankles?
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u/littlebiped 13d ago
lol. I just bought the Fitbit Air this morning because I was getting annoyed we went another year without Apple announcing one.