Apple appears to be putting the brakes on an apparent move to remove fitness trackers and other wearables that compete with the Apple Watch from its stores, as news comes that the Jawbone UP fitness trackers will be making a return to Apple’s retail stores, including the Jawbone UP2 and UP3 models.
During a presentation in Japan on Thursday, Jawbone senior product manager Jason Donahue told gathered press to expect the recently release UP2 fitness band at Japanese Apple Stores by early July. Blog Mac Otakara confirmed the device will be available at Apple retail outlets in other regions like the U.S. prior to that date, but Donahue declined to offer a more specific timeline.
Donohue also noted the Apple Stores will sell the next-step UP3. The UP4, which boasts American Express touchless payments capabilities, is expected to go on sale later this summer.
Apple cleared its retail shelves of all Jawbone fitness trackers, excepting the clip-on UP MOVE, prior to the release of the Apple Watch. The move was interpreted by many as an effort to ensure wearables that competed with features of Apple’s new Watch weren’t available in the Cupertino firm’s own stores.
