ANT+ support

[lombax54]

Although ANT+ is antiquated technology, it would be nice to see Apple cater to the fitness realm by including an ANT+ antennae in the Watch, since that seems to be one of their major target markets. Without dedicated GPS included, and the fact that carrying an iPhone with me on a run or bike ride is ridiculous, it would be nice to be able to connect the watch with another fitness device that I already use. (For example, connecting the heart rate sensor in the watch to my cycling computer).

Any thoughts? Is this plausible/probable? Is anyone else interested in this or am I alone?

 

[Julien]

ANT+ is NOT an "antiquated technology". However ANY+ is proprietary and owned by Garmin. Apple is not going to license it. It also requires anther radio and antenna eating battery life and taking space. BT-LE can do about everything ANT+ can do so it's somewhat redundant.

 

[lombax54]

BT-LE can do about everything ANT+ can do so it's somewhat redundant.

Yeah, I know its a longshot, was just hoping I'd be able to connect the heart rate data from the watch to my Garmin. Its not redundant in that aspect since I'll either have to get a different cycling computer or an ANT+ hr monitor, in which case i'd then be wearing 2 hr monitors. That would be redundant...

 

[TheAppleFairy]

I thought the Apple watch had a heart rate sensor in it. During the keynote they said you can send your heart beat to other people.

 

[Julien]

Yeah, I know its a longshot, was just hoping I'd be able to connect the heart rate data from the watch to my Garmin. Its not redundant in that aspect since I'll either have to get a different cycling computer or an ANT+ hr monitor, in which case i'd then be wearing 2 hr monitors. That would be redundant...

The aWatch will use optical HR monitoring. At this point it is notoriously inaccurate in other devices. I'm sure it will take a few gens to get near the accuracy of a HR strap (if it ever will). I'll also be wearing my Garmin 620 and aWatch for all running and (rare) cycling for the foreseeable future (I like redundancy in record keeping anyway).

In all likelihood you can use a BT HR strap pared with the aWatch for increased accuracy over the optical sensor. Also you will be able to use other BT fitness devices too. This would include bike sensors. Sensors made by Wahoo can do both BT and ANT+. BT sensors will proliferate in the next couple of years while ANT+ will likely stagnate.

 

[akm3]

Garmin will make an updated BT-LE supporting head unit before Apple supports ANT+ (my opinion)