My bet is still on Apple creating THE device to collect data. I don't think it will be a watch in the same way we think of these "watch" devices today.

They are probably the ones best suited to make a great product, combined with the iPhone/iPad. They could benefit from owning both platforms in a way that even Google can't with Android.

I might be overestimating Apple's abilities sans Jobs, but in an amazing coincidence, this is a category where Cook has deep personal experience and connections. He might be the perfect target user for this product, much like Steve was for everything that came before it.