Apple job openings for health-related positions up 400% since 2017

“Apple’s recent focus on health technology isn’t much of a mystery: its latest Watch includes multiple health features, including a much-lauded ECG sensor, fall-down sensors, and deep fitness tracking,” Joshua Fruhlinger writes for Thinknum.

“But based on hiring data trends, it appears Apple has every intention to continue to invest in health technology,” Fruhlinger writes. “Job openings at the company with the term “Health” in their titles have been on a steady rise in 2017 and accelerated this fall into winter.”

“The rise in “Health” jobs at Apple began in October 2017 when Apple listed just 15 jobs with “Health” in their titles. Today, it lists 75 such jobs. This rise coincides with the launch of the new Apple Watch and new mobile operating systems that include health and fitness tracking technologies and apps,” Fruhlinger writes. “Interestingly, some of the more recent job postings in the “Health” keyword set include QA — quality assurance — positions. This could indicate that Apple is in the final testing phase of some new health technologies. ”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: This increase makes sense since earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the following:

On the healthcare, in particular, and sort of your wellbeing, this is an area that I believe, if you zoom out into the future, and you look back, and you ask the question, “What was Apple’s greatest contribution to mankind?” It will be about health. Because our business has always been about enriching people’s lives. And as we’ve gotten into healthcare more and more through the Watch and through other things that we’ve created with ResearchKit and CareKit and putting your medical records on the iPhone, this is a huge deal. And it’s something that is very important for people. We are democratizing it. We are taking what has been with the institutions and empowering the individual to manage their health. And we’re just at the front end of this. But I do think, looking back, in the future, you will answer that question, Apple’s most-important contribution to mankind has been in health. — Tim Cook, January 8, 2019

SEE ALSO:
Apple’s digital health plan puts the iPhone and Apple Watch at the heart of your wellbeing – January 16, 2019
Apple’s next really big thing: Health – January 9, 2019
Study shows active Apple Watch users gain extra years of life – November 28, 2018
Apple’s watchOS 5.1.2 will enable electrocardiogram feature on Apple Watch Series 4 – November 28, 2018
John Hancock and Vitality prove Apple Watch incentives boost physical activity rates by more than 30 percent – November 28, 2018
Life insurance companies are luring Apple Watch users with deals – November 16, 2018
John Hancock offers Apple Watch Series 3 for only $25 to all Vitality life insurance customers – October 23, 2017
Apple and Aetna hold secret meetings to bring Apple Watch to the insurer’s 23 million members – August 14, 2017
In major win for Apple, Aetna becomes first insurance company to subsidize Apple Watch – September 27, 2016
New ‘SweatCoin’ iPhone app pays people to get fit – May 5, 2016
Why you’ll wear an Apple Watch to keep your job – March 14, 2016
Share your fitness data for an Apple Watch – or cash – March 2, 2016
Tim Cook hints Apple might build a health device – November 10, 2015
Apple should double down on Apple Watch’s health sensors, battery life, and waterproofing – October 2, 2015
Health insurer will charge more for lazy people, less for active people, based on Apple Watch sensors – September 18, 2015
Dalrymple reviews Apple Watch: ‘My most personal review ever’ – June 16, 2015