Masaichi Honda is a journalist who does not know in the field of technology.This is a serialization in which Mr. Honda writes on wearable devices.This time, we will talk about the ability as wellness aircraft and the potential of Apple Watch, which has just been shown the other day.
本田雅一：文 Text by Masakazu HondaApple Watch Series 6
Apple's 2020 model, Apple Watch Series 6, is an annual update if you look at the hardware alone.The built -in processor has speeded up by 20%, and the brightness of the display is improved by 25%.Thanks to the latter, the visibility is increasing when running outdoors when running outdoors.
However, it can be said that these are a good step in considering the advances of technologies such as semiconductor design and improving the light emission efficiency of OLED displays.
The evolution of Apple Watch is supported by improvement of fine improvements and built -in OSs (basic software.
Apple Watch Series 6GPS+Cellularモデル。S6 SiP（64ビットデュアルコアプロセッサ搭載）。リチャージブルリチウムイオンバッテリー。パワーリザーブ約18時間。SS+グラファイトDLC（ケース径44mm）。50m防水。For example, Watchos 7 has a sleep tracking function, but tracking sleep means that you will not be able to charge at bedtime.So about 2 time from zero to full charge.5 hours to about 1.Speed to 5 hours.If it is up to 80%, it can be charged in one hour.They are trying to make the sleep tracking function practically by simply charging when bathing or before going out in the morning, so that the day of the day is applied next day.
This is just a matter of example, but how do you support your daily life by greatly exceeding the "receiving information and notifying users"?It is facing the direction.
The way for Apple Watch to proceed by the voice of the user
Last year, when I interviewed Apple's executives in charge of Apple Watch, I was talking about something interesting.They did not clearly look at the future of Apple Watch, but the voices of consumers using the Apple Watch taught me the possibility of this product.
In the first Apple Watch era, Apple was clearly conscious of his watch.The major theme was how to chew the culture of watches and fusion with electronics products.Therefore, he respected the wristwatch industry and invested in the case of the case, polished, and the structure of newly devised straps.
今回投入されたバックルレスストラップのソロループ（Solo Loop）。写真はシリコン糸に再生素材であるポリエステルフィラメント糸を1万6000本以上織り込んで作られた「ブレイデッド」タイプ。ほかにシリコンタイプも用意される。There were many products that recorded exercise habits from that time to help health, but the direction of Apple Watch began to be determined only after Series 2, which is equipped with a heart rate, appeared.
Apple was equipped with a workout measurement and a record of vital signs in his daily life, only one of the small health functions.With Apple Watch, smartphones can be worked out and recording and looking back on your daily lifestyle in an iPhone in an easy and easy -to -understand manner.
However, when the heart rate monitor was mounted, the users or medical professionals who used it were said to be in the area where Apple did not imagine, saying, "This is a device that helps life."。
Due to the fine fluctuations of the heart rate rhythm, the state of the life of the accelerator detected, etc., there were many accidents in the elderly, such as knowing some diseases, modulation, or being injured due to falling down.
When Apple Watch was equipped with a heart rate monitor, it was clearly only in the "wellness" area, but gradually stepping into the area of healthcare, and in Series 4, the ECG measurement function was installed, so that the heart was abnormal.When I felt it, I was able to take an electrocardiogram myself and go to the "medical" area to contact my doctor.
Apple Watch aims to be a "device that should always be worn"
Isn't the device we are making more possible?The fact that I started thinking so that I started to think about the ECG measurement function, and this time, I have an infrared sensor that measures blood oxygen concentration (it is called a blood oxygen welnes sensor to specify that Apple is not for medical care).did.
At the moment, by moving the app yourself or regularly measuring in the background, it is only a function to know your health.The compatible application is also "blood oxygen wellness app" and is not medical use.It is good to develop an app using this sensor, but at this time Apple has closed his mouth.
In the announcement of Series 6, they said in the United States that they were starting a clinical trial program to study how the information gained from the blood oxygen wellness sensor affects heart disease.In addition, clinical trials are planned to see if there is no characteristic precursor for pneumonia caused by the new colonavirus.
ケースの裏側にある、緑と赤のLED・赤外線LEDが手首の血管を照射。その反射光の量をフォトダイオードが読み取り、血中の酸素量を算出する。下は計測時のイメージ画像。These are led by academic institutions, but we will be able to help the exam progress by preparing a window for users who use Apple Watch Series 6 to participate in clinical trials.Eventually, how it will be widely involved in our lives must wait for the results of future research.
In the future, Apple Watch will not only increase the number of sensors, but also use sensors to think with consumers and researchers how to support users' lives with consumers and researchers.You should be able to secure a position as a device to be kept.
右がApple Watch Series 5、左がApple Watch Series 6。Apple Watch Series 5では光学式の心拍センサーのみ搭載されているため、ケースバックの構造が異なっている。Apple himself does not talk about such a concept, but the new straps named Apple Watch SE and Solo Loop, which were announced at the same time, were all presented to snuggle up to users' lives.It can be interpreted as an option.
In addition to "I want to wear it", the need for "I want you to wear it"
The Apple Watch SE is Series 5, which is simply a light mode.The ECG measurement function (although not approved in Japan) is a model that is also a basic form of Apple Watch, but the price is less than 30,000 yen for a 40mm case.
For health care and workout measurement, Apple Watch SE is enough for both functions and performance.Perhaps it will respond to the evolution of Watchos over the next few years.In addition, there is no cellular built -in model, but Series 3 is also sold together, which is less than 20,000 yen.
These bargain models will further increase the share of the Apple Watch (the smartwatch market is already over half), but the intention can be found in the function of the family sharing settings.
Family setting sharing is a function to set an Apple Watch for family.If you encourage children and the elderly to attach the set -uped Apple Watch in the family settings, you can remotely grasp the location and vital status.
ファミリー共有設定を使うと、ひとつのiPhoneに複数台のApple Watchをペアリングすることができる。The information that Apple Watch can collect is sent not only to WiFi but also to the LTE to the paired iPhone, so only in the late elderly people who cannot handle Wi-Fi.It is possible to meet the needs of having them and wanting them to protect their child's safety more active.If it is a cellular built -in model (the price goes up), you can contact your child anywhere with the transceiver function, and you can understand where you are.
I want the elderly mother to wear this product.She probably thinks the same for children (although there are problems such as school rules that are prohibited by watches).
Considering this, it also matches the development and introduction of a Solo Loop strap that can be used comfortably with buckle less.Even if you keep wearing it at any time, you will not lose comfort.I think it's worth commercializing this strap, even if you have a goal in such a place, even if you have to distribute a large number of sizes.
本田雅一（ほんだ・まさかず）テクノロジージャーナリスト、オーディオ・ビジュアル評論家、商品企画・開発コンサルタント。1990年代初頭よりパソコン、IT、ネットワークサービスなどへの評論やコラムなどを執筆。現在はメーカーなどのアドバイザーを務めるほか、オーディオ・ビジュアル評論家としても活躍する。主な執筆先には、東洋経済オンラインなど。