Apple Scales Back AI-Driven Health+ Ambitions
Apple appears to be stepping back from its plans to launch a new AI-powered Health+ service that was rumoured to offer personalised health suggestions and exercise form correction using the iPhone camera. This development comes just months after the company reorganised its Health and Fitness teams under the leadership of Eddy Cue within its Services division.
Key Features to Be Integrated into Existing Health App
Originally, the Health+ service was expected to leverage artificial intelligence to provide users with tailored health advice based on their data, as well as real-time feedback on workout form. However, according to internal sources, Apple will now forgo launching a standalone Health+ platform. Instead, the features developed so far will be gradually incorporated into the current Health app. For example, personalised recommendations derived from user health data are anticipated to be introduced later this year, while an AI-powered health chatbot capable of answering wellness queries may arrive in the near future.
Competitive Challenges and Strategic Shift
The decision to cancel Health+ reportedly stems from concerns within Apple’s Services leadership about the company’s ability to compete effectively in the wellness market. Eddy Cue is said to have pushed for a faster, more competitive approach, but existing services like Oura have already established a strong foothold on iOS with a broad range of health features. This saturation has made it difficult for Apple to justify launching a separate Health+ service, prompting a strategic pivot to enhance its existing Health app instead.
What to Expect Moving Forward
While the scrapping of Health+ may disappoint some who were eager for a dedicated AI-powered health platform from Apple, the integration of its advanced features into the Health app suggests a more incremental approach to innovation in this space. Observers should keep an eye on updates to the Health app throughout the year as Apple rolls out new AI-driven functionalities that could still significantly improve user wellness experiences.