New wristband harnesses Apple gadgets for fitness
Wireless earpiece maker Jawbone is once again blending fashion and technology to help people make healthier choices with a little help from their beloved Apple gadgets. The company this week unveiled UP, a smartly engineered wristband that synchs with software for iPhones, iPads and iPod touch devices to steer users towards better habits when it comes to eating, sleeping, and being active. “UP is Jawbone’s first step in giving people tools to become engaged as consumers of their own health,” said Jawbone founder and chief executive Hosain Rahman. “As the global health crisis mounted, we felt a strong sense of responsibility to see if we could leverage our resources and talents to make a difference,” he said.
Jawbone has crafted a power-efficient wristband that looks like a simple piece of jewelry but senses body motions and sleep patterns so well that it can tell how many steps a person takes or how deeply he or she is slumbering. Users can even track their meals by using Apple gadget cameras to snap pictures of what they eat. Free UP software lets wristbands feed the information to iPhones, iPads, or iPod touch devices. The application even asks how people feel after they have had time to digest meals.
UP presents data in bar graphs and timelines that expose patterns and show how close people are to achieving goals they set for themselves. It’s a system designed to integrate seamlessly into one’s total lifestyle, 24 hours a day,” Rahman said. “And thanks to the success and adoption of the iPhone, millions of users already have beautiful displays and robust computing platforms in their pockets.” “We harness that amazing display with a fun, engaging iPhone app to bring the band to life.” UP wristbands will be priced at $100 when they go on sale Sunday at jawbone.com as well as Apple Stores, Best Buy and other shops featuring smartphones. They will be available in Britain beginning November 17 and are to be rolled out globally by year’s end.