Say hello to Amazon’s Halo
The news puts Amazon in league with the Apple Watch and Fitbit (which is in the process of being acquired by Google).
There are very few areas of innovation where Amazon doesn’t have a presence, and given time, that list will only get shorter. The e-commerce giant’s latest move is into the wearable market with the unveiling of its Halo wristband.
The news puts Amazon in league with the Apple Watch and Fitbit (which is in the process of being acquired by Google). And while the new product makes sense from a commercial standpoint, it’s also in line with Amazon’s other investments in the health care space. In just the last couple of years, the company has rolled out a virtual health care program, joined Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan to form Haven, purchased a pharmacy delivery startup, and much more.
Related: Fitbit setting its focus on employer health and wellness plans
“Despite the rise in digital health services and devices over the last decade, we have not seen a corresponding improvement in population health in the U.S.,” Dr. Maulik Majmudar, principal medical officer for Amazon Halo, said in a press release. “Health is much more than just the number of steps you take in a day or how many hours you sleep. Amazon Halo combines the latest medical science, highly accurate data via the Halo Band sensors, and cutting-edge artificial intelligence to offer a more comprehensive approach to improving your health and wellness.”
The new device is like many others on the market, with a few key differences. For one, the device works via subscription only. It also operates on a points system, awarding greater amounts for more intense exercise activities. Users can also lose points if they remain inactive for too long.
The app’s information can be shared with partners such as the American Heart Association, Headspace and the Mayo Clinic, and can be shared with a doctor via compatible Cerner electronic health records.
“This strategic endeavor allows us to offer our customers the latest in insights-driven personal health technology that can help them improve their overall wellness,” said Brooks Tingle, President and CEO, John Hancock Insurance, which has also partnered to provide its life insurance customers with a three-year membership. “We believe these enhancements will have a positive impact for our customers.”
It’s also not hard to see the future possibilities to interact with other Amazon health-related products and services.
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