Some fitness trackers are disappearing from Apple Store shelves

Apple is just more than a month away from debuting the much-anticipated Apple Watch, and its retail stores are already cleaning house by getting rid of similar products from competitors, according to a report.

The tech giant is removing some fitness wristband trackers it already carries, like those from Jawbone and Nike, to make room for its first flagship wearable, as first reported by Re/code. This is a part of a greater effort to introduce the Apple Watch as a one-stop-shop wearable; users will be able to monitor their daily movements and track heart-rate, as well as check emails, make phone calls and use apps like Facebook and Instagram directly from the watch screen.

While it might sound like Apple is trying to eliminate the competition all together, other forces are at work here. Last year, Nike announced it would cease development of the Nike+ Fuelband to focus more on software. The news was surprising to many, but Nike has a close relationship with Apple and is one of the Apple Watch's early partners to bring fitness tracking and coaching to the device.

Jawbone's next-generation tracking device (the UP3) was announced last year, but the launch has been the subject of massive delays. Although customers could opt for the cheaper option over the Apple Watch,

Jawbone has been one of the early adopters of Apple's HealthKit platform, allowing users to sync collected data from the device into its health hub.

Fitbit disappearing from shelves is a notable story on its own. Apple pulled Fitbit trackers from its stores late last year following news that the fitness startup wouldn't be integrating with HealthKit. Fitbit's decision may have not sat well with Apple, which had been carrying Fitbit devices in its stores for years prior to the purge.

Apple hasn't gotten rid of all fitness tracking devices from third-party companies. Mio's heart-rate trackers can still be purchased on the Apple website, and Jawbone's clip-on Move pedometer is also available. But considering the wristband version (the UP24) is no longer an option for customers, one thing seems obvious: Apple wants you to wear only the Apple watch on your wrist.

The device, which will start at $349 and can cost an upward of $17,000, will officially launch on April 24.

Apple didn't elaborate on the reasoning behind the move but told Mashable the company is "constantly evaluating and making changes to our merchandising mix."

Posted by : Gizmeon