Tech Giants Collaborate: Best Buy Health and Apple Develop Advanced Health Technology for Senior Users
Best Buy Health, the health technology subsidiary of the renowned electronics retailer, has made a significant stride in expanding its services with the release of health and safety tools for older adults via the Apple Watch.
The new Lively Health & Safety package, which includes features such as Urgent Response, Urgent Care, and the GreatCall Link app, aims to provide a new way for older adults to achieve independence and connection.
Urgent Response connects customers with agents to assist in emergencies, while Urgent Care allows users to speak to a registered nurse or board-certified doctor without an appointment at any time. The GreatCall Link app notifies loved ones in a crisis and provides updates regarding the device.
One of the standout features of the Lively Health & Safety package is the Live Agent Assist, which is expected to become available soon. This feature uses the Apple Watch to detect hard falls and prompts a Lively Agent to call and check if the user needs help, potentially contacting family members if necessary.
This move marks the retailer's most recent move in health technology, following its acquisition of GreatCall in 2018 for $800 million, which already had 900,000 paying subscribers at the time. Since then, Best Buy Health has been expanding its services, leading to a shift in the company's workforce.
However, it's worth noting that Best Buy Health's strategic retrenchment in 2025, as seen in the divestiture of Current Health back to its co-founder, signals a more cautious approach towards the home healthcare market due to slower-than-expected growth.
While the Apple Watch Series 11 is expected to feature AI-powered workout coaching and a revamped health app, there is no direct mention of Best Buy Health specifically integrating the Apple Watch into its services or using it as part of its retail health technology strategy.
To access the Lively Health & Safety Services on an Apple Watch, users need the Lively app and a Lively Health & Safety Plan. The exact timeline for the Live Agent Assist feature's availability has not been disclosed yet.
As Best Buy Health continues to innovate in the health technology sector, it joins other traditional retailers, including Walmart, Rite Aid, and Walgreens, in increasing their presence in the healthcare services space.
[1] Best Buy Health sells off Current Health, lays off workers [2] Apple Watch Series 11: Everything we know so far
[1] The move by Best Buy Health to divest Current Health in 2025 was a strategic retrenchment, leading to job losses among its workforce, signaling a more cautious approach towards the home healthcare market due to slower-than-expected growth.
[2] The upcoming Apple Watch Series 11 is expected to include AI-powered workout coaching and a revamped health app, but it remains unclear whether Best Buy Health will integrate it into its services or use it as part of its retail health technology strategy.
[3] As Best Buy Health continues to expand its services, it has ventured into the health technology sector with its subsidiary Best Buy Health, offering a new Lively Health & Safety package for older adults via the Apple Watch.
[4] The Lively Health & Safety package includes features such as Urgent Response, Urgent Care, and the GreatCall Link app, aiming to provide a new way for older adults to achieve independence and connection, with Live Agent Assist, a feature that uses the Apple Watch to detect hard falls and prompt Lively Agents to check on users, expected to become available soon.
[5] Alongside Best Buy Health, other traditional retailers like Walmart, Rite Aid, and Walgreens are increasing their presence in the healthcare services space, leveraging technology and science to improve health and wellness outcomes for their customers.
