You’d figure that Jawbone would be slapping on some timekeeping functions on their latest iteration of the UP. Nope, instead, Jawbone has decided to, one, make it even better, and two, make another version that’s cheaper. Thus they’ve unveiled the UP 3, what is considered their most sophisticated fitness tracker yet, and the UP Move, their budget friendly fitness tracker, that might eventually get you to buy their more expensive stuff.
So just what can we expect from these two fitness tracking gizmos?
Jawbone UP 3
First up, the Jawbone UP 3. This can be said to be Jawbone’s most sophisticated fitness band yet. They’ve integrated the multitude of sensors that were in BodyMedia’s CORE and CORE 2 fitness sensors, which they recently purchased and has arguably one of the most complete set of fitness sensing tech around, and they’ve even managed to shrink that all into one tiny package that’s smaller than Microsoft’s band and their previous UP24.
With a design by Yves Behar, Jawbone’s chief creative officer, you can be sure that this fitness band isn’t going to look out of place with whatever outfit, work or play, you might be putting on. Of course it isn’t just fashion that we’re looking at here. It’s all about tracking our health and fitness, and the UP 3 does have the features in spades. It’s inherited all the activity tracking features that were previously available in the UP24 but there’s some additions to it, including a tri-axis accelerometer, bioimpedance sensor, skin sensors and ambient temperature sensor. They’ve even got a fancy way to monitor your heart. Instead of direct skin contact like most other fitness tracker use, the UP 3 uses a combination of the skin and temperature sensors to measure galvanic skin response.
A bunch of sensors don’t just make a good fitness tracker though. It’s what it does with them and the UP 3 does go the distance. It’s able to detect new activities without you having to prompt it and it can even monitor your sleep, from light to REM. How’s that for some over zealous tracking? And all of these will be able to function up to seven days according to Jawbone and it’s even water resistant up to 10 meters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRVrgQrkWWQ
Jawbone UP Move
And how about the UP Move? Well, compared to its sibling, it falls on the other end of the scale. It’s a decent tracker, but don’t expect it to be packed full of tech like its swankier sibling the UP 3. Instead, what the UP Move offers is a small window for not so health enthusiast to get into the fitness tracking game.
The UP Move is shaped like a slightly flat disc that can be attached to either a simple clip accessory or a band like accessory. The idea here is simplicity. It comes with most of the tech you’d find in the older UP bands like step, activity, and sleep tracking. Just don’t expect it to vibrate or wake you up. There’s only one button that, when pressed once, will inform you of your step progress, and when pressed twice, will show you the time, in a somewhat cute analog way using the device’s LEDs.
Make no mistake though, this isn’t for the super health conscious or the control freak. It’s a beginners entry device into a world of fitness tracking.
http://youtu.be/HgZearTObFg
The Platform
All of these data from both the UP 3 and UP Move has to go somewhere right? And they do, into Jawbone’s health platform. That’s where they’re trying to differentiate themselves from the rest. After all, these days, all a manufacturer has to do is slap a bunch of step sensors and voila, you have a ‘fitness’ band. Through it’s own insight engine, Smart Coach though, users will be able to monitor their progress, gamify their workout and even get personalised health tips. Who said exercise can’t be fun? An added bonus is that Jawbone has also opened up its platform to other developers so, even if you’re not using their fitness trackers, you’d be able to use other devices (at least the ones who’ve opened themselves up to compatility) with Jawbone’s platform. As of now, the Fitbit, anything using Android Wear and Apple’s HealthKit platform will be able to work with Jawbone’s own platform. Now how’s that for being generous.
So how much can we expect to fork out for these two new fitness trackers? The UP 3 is expected to be available at US$180 (about RM520) at the end of the year while the UP Move, will be expected to be available at US$50 (about RM150).
Via Jawbone
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