Smartwatch health tracking will be more important than fitness

According to Mark Gurman's "Power On" newsletter, the Apple Watch Series 8 is unlikely to have a body temperature sensor, as a report earlier this month stated. As per the Australian nursing student, the Apple Watch's heart rate notifications can identify thyroid issues early. Another recent TikTok video suggests that the Apple Watch has been demonstrated to identify early changes in Thyroid disease months before it is diagnosed... More here.

The Withings Scanwatch (reviewed here) demonstrated to me that health tracking could be more important than fitness tracking for most people, especially as they get older. If you are wearing a smartwatch that quietly checks the important stuff in the background that would be reassuring and potentially life-saving. Hitting 10,000 steps a day and being reminded every hour(!) to stand up doesn't feel quite so fundamental.