Jawbone UP24 Fitness Tracker Now on Android

Jawbone today released an Android version of its UP app, which pairs with the recently released UP24 wristband.

The bracelet connects seamlessly with any Android device to help users understand how they sleep, move, and eat.

"We believe that helping people understand the context and meaning of their data is key in helping to make sustained behavior changes," Travis Bogard, Jawbone vice president of product management and strategy, said in a statement.

Those changes can be made through better knowledge of your everyday life, which is synced wirelessly via Bluetooth Smart between the band and the UP 3.0 app for Android. Users also receive continuous feedback and in-the-moment notifications to help achieve goals.

"Through our investment in data science we have been able to provide personalized insights to help nudge people to meet their sleep or activity goals," Bogard said. "Now with the launch of UP24 on Android, our entire community can enjoy the benefits of these insights in real-time, with continuous feedback and in-the-moment notifications to help them achieve their goals."

Built for 24/7 wear, the UP24 wristband is covered in hypoallergenic, medical-grade rubber, with a new textural design "that's comfortable enough to wear throughout each day and night," the company said. It also sports a USB power adapter, but with a battery that lasts seven days, you'll only need to charge it once a week.

The UP by Jawbone 3.0 application is now available in 12 languages as a free download in the Google Play store.

"Android users have been incredibly active in the UP community, and we're thrilled to bring UP24 to the Android platform," Bogard said.

The UP24 launched in November with a companion app for iOS for $149.99. It's on sale now in red or black. For more, check out PCMag's roundup of The 25 Best Fitness Apps.

News Source: www.pcmag.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 10:23 AM in Android, Bogard, Google, hypoallergenic, investment, Jawbone, Jawbone. UP24, tracker

Jawbone's UP24 fitness tracker adds Android compatibility

SAN FRANCISCO — Fans of Jawbone's Up bands who happen to be Android smartphone owners as of today can consider the company's most recent take on the fitness tracker, UP24.

Jawbone on Tuesday announced Android compatibility for the $149 UP24 band, which launched late last year as an iOS-only device.

The new hardware added Bluetooth connectivity, which the original Up band ($129) lacks. That means you don't have to plug it into your phone's headphone jack to sync data.

The Android app lets you wirelessly sync from the band to an Android device via Bluetooth Smart technology, so you can get feedback in real-time.

Everybody and their brother has a fitness tracker on the market, so the UP24's arrival on Android was a must to deliver.

Bands from competitors including Fitbit and Nike all offer a variety of ways to track overall fitness and health. The Up made its mark as a simple step tracker that added insight into sleep patterns in a sleek design. An early version was marred by some battery and syncing issues, which the company addressed for the most part in a subsequent model.

I've used the non-Bluetooth Up model for about a year and find syncing still finicky at times. Presumably, not having to stick the thing into your phone smooths out that issue. And there is no display on the band, so you must rely on the app to get the latest info about your progress.

But Up is simple to use and I've continued to rely on it to keep me honest and active during the day, even as I've added a Pebble smartwatch to my wrist-wear. Indeed, it will be interesting to see how Jawbone and others keep pace in the market as smartwatches make their move, many with functionality and apps that mimic what the first-generation of bands provide.

News Source: www.usatoday.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 7:48 AM in Android, battery, competitors, Jawbone's, non-Bluetooth, smartphone, smartwatches, tracker, UP24, wirelessly

Moov to Next Generation Fitness Coaching Wearable

Anyone looking for a cost-effective physical trainer then a date with Moov needs to be set at the earliest. Moov, a wearable device that not only works like a fitness tracker but also imparts continuous coaching tips on what to do and how to do; taking the whole concept of fitness tracking wearables to the next level.

Moov is a sleek watch-like device with a 1.5 inch disc which can be strapped around the wrist, arm, ankle, or even a bicycle. With its 3D leap motion sensor technology it can read every movement of the wearer, and provides the user with real-time coaching tips when paired with an iPhone or an Android based device.

The activity being indulged could range from biking, running or boxing; and the device will continuously train the user to move better or faster while simultaneously correcting postures and improving techniques. The best part is that Moov also applauds and encourages the wearer when an activity is done correctly with a voice-over sounding similar to Siri.

During the launch of the device, Co-founder Meng Li explained that Moov was designed using real-time data that was collected from various athletes and trainers while they were working out. The algorithms were built using parameters like speed and pace at which they ran or pedaled. The angles at which their arms, legs and wrists moved were also taken into consideration during the research process to enable Moov with highly efficient feedback capability.

For instance, when the athlete is running, the app might suggest correcting the posture or adjusting the pace to avoid any stress on the knees, further avoiding possible injuries. Moov also monitors activities like the cycling speed whilst checking the target heart rate, instantly giving feedback to increase or decrease speed to an ideal level.

Moov, a next generation fitness wearable motivates and pushes it’s users to perform better and coaches them till they get it right. Above all, like any good personal trainer should do, it applauds the user on milestones being achieved which makes it gem of a feature to be added.

Li, also said that with the current version of Moov, five different activities can be tracked which includes cycling, swimming, weight training, running and boxing. An exclusive app has been designed to cater to each of these activities efficiently. The running and cycling app will give users instant feedback through an audio output while the weight training and boxing app includes videos put together by professional coaches to train with the right techniques and posture.

Personalisation of the app ensures that the users will be given an option of selecting a coach from the available group of coaches and their progress will be monitored by the device. With regular usage of Moov their activities will be compared with that of the professional trainers and an audio-visual feedback will be provided to correct the errors. With this device, users can also add their friends to the Moov’s network track their performances and compete with them to beat their accomplishments.

Moov is a start-up co-founded by three ex Microsoft employees. Nakola Hu, Yuan and Li worked together to develop sensor based gaming technologies a decade ago. The device is all set for its release this summer and its next generation features will cost customers approximately $120. Available in two colors, white and black, a promotion strategy by the company will let customer’s enjoy a 50 percent discount on pre-orders that starts today. With complete compatibility with iOS available immediately and the device is set to make its debut in Android as well within three months of its release.

News Source: guardianlv.com

Posted by Editorial Team on 12:43 AM in $120, 1.5 inch, 3D leap, 50 percent, Android, Coaching Wearable, Generation Fitness, Personalisation, tracker