Apple to Seek Subsidies for iWatch From Health Insurance Companies?

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Posted April 12, 2014 at 7:33pm by iClarified

Cowen & Co analyst Timothy Arcuri speculates that Apple could seek subsidies for its rumored iWatch from health insurance companies, similar to how wireless carriers subsidize smartphones.

"We continue to believe it is possible the product (iWatch) is backstopped by some sort of insurance subsidization model similar to the carrier subsidization model for iPhone," writes Arcuri.

The idea is that wearing the iWatch will keep users healthier by monitoring their steps taken, calories burned, blood pressure, heart rate and other vital signs.

"We continue to feel this product will differentiate itself with existing wearable products primarily from a health perspective with a number of key innovations including noninvasive blood cell count and blood pressure and other more pedestrian features like heart rate."

Arcuri believes that Apple will introduce the iWatch in September for release before the holiday season. This jibes with a recent report from KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who said the iWatch would like be released in two sizes during Q3, 2014.

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Apple to Seek Subsidies for iWatch From Health Insurance Companies?

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ella kallish - April 14, 2014 at 4:32pm

If the health insurance companies subsidize this consumer purchase then the insurance companies will also have access to the wearers habits. This is very similar to the car insurance companies (started by Progressive), that gave the driver the idea that if they used a device in their car that sent user data to the insurance companies that distributed the device for use, the users rates would be lowered and a stipend for having used the device would also be paid to the user. Only to find that Progressive SHARED this information with other providers over the long term to set rates on individuals. FORGET IT BIG BROTHER!! Apple is getting into the business of shared data. Apple is looking for any new revenue streams that help boost their faltering bottom line.

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Fredy - April 14, 2014 at 4:34am

Why do you people complain about this and that, can you make one like this or anything like ios? If you do, keep make some things. If you dont, do not complain bi*** Im looking for good comment.

FadetoBlack - April 12, 2014 at 10:19pm

I think you are confusing Apple with Google...

Nitro Junkie - April 13, 2014 at 1:45am

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't your health insurance company already know your health data anyway since they pay for bills most of the time.

iPhone Doctor - April 13, 2014 at 8:16am

Normal people have nothing to hide!