Apple Inc. (AAPL) Hires Sleep Research Expert, Possibly For iWatch

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Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has reportedly hired Roy J.E.M Raymann, a sleep research expert, to work on its much-anticipated and long-rumored smart watch, popularly called the iWatch. This is the latest significant hiring by Apple from the health and fitness industry. Last week, it was reported that Apple hired Michael O’Reilly, former chief medical officer and executive vice president of medical affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation, for its growing medical devices research team.

Raymann has rich experience on sleep research

A report from 9to5 Mac said that Raymann has a lot of experience with sleep research. Raymann held the position of senior scientist at Philips Research working on the range of sleep related research project. He established a Philips sleep experience Laboratory, a non-clinical sleep research facility, and also led projects to research different facets of sleep and activity monitoring through the Philips Lifestyle Sleep Research Program and the company’s Brain, Body, and Behavior group.

Raymann has also worked extensively in the field of wearables and sensors, which will be a substantial advantage for Apple’s iWatch. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) might have hired Raymann to build an iWatch with a built-in sleep tracking functionality, most probably similar to that of the Jawbone UP or the Fitbit Force. Recent reports did reveal that the iWatch would be focused on health and fitness, and will run on iOS 8, which might have a ‘Healthbook’ for storing and monitoring health statistics and vital signs.

In a statement given to 9to5 Mac, Philip said that Raymann quit the company in the beginning of 2014, but the company gave no further information on whether the executive joined Apple.

Apple iWatch must offer services different from smartphone

Analysts are of the opinion that the smartwatch from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) should offer something different from their smartphones. As smartphones already offer voice control, predictive assistance and cameras, it would be better if smart watches offer some features related to health. If a smartwatch is fitted with sensors capable of providing body monitoring information, then it would be exciting to see many new data-driven applications ranging from fitness tracking to mood linked music regulated from the heartbeat.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iWatch has been in the news for a couple of years now, and it might be possible that the company is working on its prototype before launching the final product. For instance, the rumors of iPad in the development stage were in the news since 2007 whereas the final product was launched only in 2010.

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