First revealed at CES in January, the latest in Withings‘ range of Internet-connected body scales, the Smart Body Analyzer, has today gone on sale.
Like previous models, the scale measures weight, fat mass and body mass. In addition though, this new flagship entry in the range measures users’ heart rate and the quality of the air around it.
Heart rate is a pretty logical addition to the device. As Paris-based Withings notes, resting heart rate can be a good indicator of a person’s physical health. On the face of it though, air quality seems a little more of a gimmicky addition – the quality of air we breathe varies depending on where we are, and we’re not going to carry the scale around with us. However, this turns out to be all about good quality sleep.
The device measures the ambient temperature and carbon dioxide level. As Withings puts it, “High levels of CO2 can produce a range of adverse health effects: deterioration of sleep quality, headaches, dizziness, restlessness, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, sweating, etc. By monitoring and managing indoor air quality, people can live and sleep in a healthier environment.” So, make sure you place the scale in the bedroom rather than the bathroom to make the most of it.
As with all Withings devices, information collected when you stand on the scale is immediately sent via WiFi to the accompanying cloud service, which you can access via the Web or iOS and Android apps. Withings data can also sync with third-party fitness services like Fitbit, RunKeeper and MyFitnessPal.
The Smart Body Analyzer costs $149.95. That’s a lot of money for something you’ll probably spend no more than a few seconds per day using, but the real value here is in the data it collects and the ability to view your changing health over time.
➤ Withings
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