The FDA is taking an 'almost hands-off' approach in regulating the Apple Watch and other similar devices
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, the FDA said it is “taking a very light touch” on regulating the Apple Watch and other wearable fitness devices.
The FDA’s Bakul Patel oversees consumer-oriented fitness products for the agency:
“We are taking a very light touch, an almost hands-off approach,” Patel, the FDA’s associate director for digital health, said in an interview. “If you have technology that’s going to motivate a person to stay healthy, that’s not something we want to be engaged in.”
Apple is heavily marketing the watch’s fitness capabilities. Along with tracking movement, it can monitor your heart rate and offer personalized training goals.
The FDA’s main concern is watching out for devices and other software that tries to duplicate the functionality of an actual medical device. According to the report, the FDA will also keep an eye on devices that are marketed to provide diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
I’m glad to see that the FDA is giving Apple and other technology companies the freedom to develop and hone the technology without overburdensome regulations and red tape.
The watch will be available to preorder starting on Friday, April 10. It will officially arrive on Friday, April 24.
Prices range from $349 for the Sport model to $17,000 for the most expensive 18-karat gold Apple Watch Edition.
A mid-range Apple Watch collection, with a sapphire display cover and stainless steel exterior, ranges from $549 to $1,099. Apple will also offer a number of other additional bands for the watch.
You’ll need an iPhone 5 or later to interact with the device.
For other recent Apple Watch news, see: What the first apps are telling us about Apple Watch, Apple will offer virtual try-ons of Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition, and Popular cross-platform task management service Wunderlist details its new Apple Watch app.