For a slightly cheaper approach (assuming you already have an iPhone): I have been successfully and pleasantly using "Lose It!" [1] to track all of my food and exercise for about five months now. So far I've lost 20 lbs and 2% body fat. For sleep tracking, I am using Sleep Cycle [2] to measure sleep hours and (most importantly to me) wake me up at a good time. Nike+ [3] on my iPhone tracks my running times, route, distance, etc. Total cost $2.98 (plus an iPhone of course).
I've been amazed at how easy it's been to get into reasonable shape by changing only one thing: consistently collecting the right data.
Excellent suggestions. I had assumed that Nike+ still required you to have Nike+ shoes, but apparently, nowadays it works with the iPhone's GPS. Downloading it now.
I'm also eager to learn the answer to this, or what kind of options there are to access the data programmatically.
(The answer is relevant to my own startup, http://beeminder.com which is a goal-tracking and anti-akrasia service -- you pledge money to force yourself to keep your data points on a "yellow brick road" to your goal. It works especially well when you can automate the data collection with devices like this.)
I know the FitBit has a dedicated charger that you have to use every few days to recharge the device...what about this? Or is it like those watches that can power themselves through kinetic motion?
What's stopping these things from including a heart rate monitor as well? Do we just not have the sensors, or are they just not as cheap as a simple accelerometer? I'd be much more interested in the exercise tracking if it did something besides "steps". Most devices have the same issue as far as I know. If I'm doing an oly lifting workout I don't do very many steps but I sure do a lot of work. I'd love to be able to quantify that.
This looks very interesting. I been wanting something like this forever. After watching the way the WakeMate has evolved (or not), I might be inclined to try this.
I love the idea, but think I will stick with the FitBit, simply because I hate wearing anything around my wrists. Especially since I am typing at a keyboard so much of the day.
I'd love to find something that could be worn as a necklace (even in the shower). My partner had a fitbit that died when it ended up going through the laundry.
I got mine yesterday and used it last night for the first time as an alarm. It worked as advertised and since it's around the wrist it's really effective at waking you up.
I obviously can't say for sure how it works as I'm just an end user, but I can say you tell the device you are going to sleep and when you wake up. In between, it is obviously sensing your movement using the accelerometer, etc. My guess would be if you fidget around while you sleep this would be considered a light sleep.
dcreemer|14 years ago
I've been amazed at how easy it's been to get into reasonable shape by changing only one thing: consistently collecting the right data.
[1] http://www.loseit.com/
[2] http://mdlabs.se/sleepcycle/
[3] http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nike-gps/id387771637?mt=8
Samuel_Michon|14 years ago
dekz|14 years ago
parshap|14 years ago
dreeves|14 years ago
(The answer is relevant to my own startup, http://beeminder.com which is a goal-tracking and anti-akrasia service -- you pledge money to force yourself to keep your data points on a "yellow brick road" to your goal. It works especially well when you can automate the data collection with devices like this.)
shawnwall|14 years ago
rkudeshi|14 years ago
buro9|14 years ago
nosignal|14 years ago
marcamillion|14 years ago
Thanks for this review!
xbryanx|14 years ago
dreeves|14 years ago
callmeed|14 years ago
coldnose|14 years ago
The good people at Jawbone respect the integrity of babies' orifices, and would never dare to file a patent.
kkwok|14 years ago
jordanmessina|14 years ago
fionabunny|14 years ago
shawnwall|14 years ago
unknown|14 years ago
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jc4p|14 years ago
Flam|14 years ago