Anticipated Debut of Apple Fitness+ Appears Imminent
Fitness+, Apple's latest subscription service, announced back in September, is now overdue, with no sign of its release even as we approach the start of 2021. So, what's causing the hold-up?
Fitness+ is set to be a part of Apple One, the company's service-bundling option, launched late last month. The only official indication of Fitness+'s launch date was "later this year," but a few discerning outlets have picked up on subtle hints suggesting Apple might be ready to launch the app soon. New promotional materials and social posts from the announced instructors are among these hints, with some even hinting at a launch "soon."
However, the official Apple Fitness Instagram account has remained silent since its initial September post, sharing a series of black-and-white trainer headshots. Many of these trainers have since promoted the service on their personal accounts, using the official hashtag #CloseYourRings. One spin instructor, Emily Fayette, even mentioned an imminent launch. Despite these indications, no official launch date has been revealed.
Intriguingly, MacRumors reported a recent Best Buy ad on Instagram, promoting six free months of Fitness+ with an Apple Watch purchase. This exclusive deal is being marketed by both companies, hinting at an imminent launch.
When it does launch, Fitness+ will offer a free trial to Apple Watch users with a Series 3 or later, and cost $10 per month, $80 per year, or $30 per month on Apple One's premier tier. Subscribers will gain access to new workouts each week, filtered by trainer, duration, and music. Moreover, the app will integrate with the Apple Watch to track progress toward Activity rings during workouts.
Apple is known for carefully planning and executing product and service releases, aligning them with its overall strategy and ecosystem. Delays can occur due to various factors, such as software development complications, hardware integration issues, or the need for additional testing and refinement to ensure an optimal user experience.
In essence, while Fitness+'s delay is unsettling, it's not entirely surprising in the context of Apple's meticulous approach to product launches. We'll just have to be patient and see what the new year brings. Until then, I can't wait to dive into those strength-training courses with Betina Gozo!
The delay in the release of Fitness+, a part of Apple One, has led to speculation among tech outlets and instructors' social media posts, hinting at a potential imminent launch. MacRumors reported a Best Buy ad promoting six free months of Fitness+ with an Apple Watch purchase, further suggesting the app might be launching soon. Despite these hints, Apple's official Fitness Instagram account has yet to provide any updates, keeping fans eagerly awaiting an official launch date.
