Tag Archives: Quantified Self

GOQii Fitness Tracker Outsources Your Stats to an Indian Personal Trainer

Posted on by
GOQii Fitness Tracker

Outsourcing solves a lot of problems nowadays, especially since it costs companies a lot less money than if they found a solution to their problems locally. In this context, why not oursource your fitness stats to a qualified trainer?

That is exactly what the developers of the GOQii fitness tracker are planning to do with their device. Unlike other wearable tech companies who sell their fitness trackers at a sometimes steep price, the manufacturers of GOQii are willing to offer this device for free to anyone interested. In a strategy similar to Amazon’s, this company doesn’t want to make money from its physical products, but from the services that go with it.

Gaming entrepreneur and GOQii founder Vishal Gondal demonstrated how the fitness tracker works using Swapnil, a personal trainer based in Mumbai, India. One morning, Swapnil asked Gondal how he slept, and the the answer didn’t quite characterize someone focusing on fitness: “Feeling tired. Should I get a Red Bull?” Swapnil suggested against that, while also recommending Gondal to try some natural carrot juice with a shot of ginger instead. Swapnil’s last question, “Did you get time for a run?” is nearly rhetorical, as the Indian personal trainer already knows that Gondal hasn’t taken too many steps that day.

Future users of the GOQii fitness tracker should rest assured, as their GPS data is not visible to the personal trainer, despite being collected by the device itself. That’d be something like stalking, and there are plenty of other methods out there to do that.

Gondal finally admits the truth: “I haven’t run so I haven’t replied to the message. This is playing in my mind that I have to reply. Ok, I’ll tell him now.” Using the GOQii app on his Windows Phone Nokia, Gondal replies to his personal trainer: “Yes. Running tomorrow for sure.”

The founder of the company is also very optimistic about where this fitness tracker and service is heading: “In the future we’re going to have a tsunami of personal data coming up. We’re creating a new breed of professionals whose job is to decipher human data and guide people.”

As said before, GOQii is looking to raise money from the service, rather than from the device, so it offers 6 months of daily personal training for $99 with each free device that they offer. The number of personal trainers will surely raise from the current 50, and hopefully, so will the number of subscribers.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Samsung Gear Fit and Voyce, a fitness tracker for dogs.

Lightwave Makes Live Shows Better by Measuring the Audience’s Mood

Posted on by
Lightwave Smart Wristband

This smart wristband may someday synchronize what happens on stage with what the audience does or wants. In other words, Lightwave has the potential of making concerts and live shows, in general, more interactive than they already are.

Imagine the following scenario: most of the spectators start jumping and clapping their hands, and suddenly, the lights behind the singer start syncing with their rhythm. The other scenario would’ve implied a frenetically head-banging audience at a metal concert that point the sign of the horns to the sky, while the lasers behind the band move with them. In both of these cases, the audience would most probably be terribly impressed with the new effects that the singer or the band are displaying, when in fact everything depends on the Lightwave band that the spectators wear around their wrists.

The developers of the Lightwave smart wristband imagined that their product would work like this, but in our times, instead of a distance future. In fact, Rana June, world’s first iPad DJ, had the chance to show how the Lightwave bracelet works at this year’s SXSW, at a BioReactive concert that was sponsored by Pepsi.

Temperature, movement and audio levels are the three main factors that this smart wristband learns about its wearer. After doing so, the information is transmitted wirelessly to the performers’ lighting and audio installations. In the meantime, the performers will also learn about how to react to the audience’s feedback.

As Rana June explained, “This new type of experience data can shape the environment so fans can connect emotionally with the artist and each other. Our vision scales to all types of live events: blockbuster performances, sporting events, conferences – anywhere where audiences want to feel connected to the live experience.”

Furthermore, she pointed out that this type of feedback is only one of the possible applications of the Lightwave wristband: “The possibilities for implementation are as far-reaching as our imaginations. I am excited to see what the world does with this platform for human data, and the relationships we create with each other as a result.”

Indeed, it will be interesting to see other uses of this smart wristband, especially if the developers decide to offer the product’s software as an open-source platform on which people can work on.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about Razor Nabu, the world’s smartest wristband, and the LG Lifeband Touch.

Pebble’s New Android Appstore Features eBay, Evernote and TWC Apps

Posted on by
Pebble Android Appstore

The above apps are only a few of the pleasantly surprising ones found in the long awaited Pebble Appstore for Android.

Launching the metal-wristband Pebble Steel wasn’t enough for this wearables manufacturer, as the software needed to be rejuvenated, as well. iOS users got access to the new app store a few weeks ago, so Android fans got a bit restless, seeing that their version is running late. Luckily for them, Pebble took the veil off its app collection now, and some of the partnerships the company signed to populate the store are simply impressive. There is a Mercedes-Benz app that warns you when your German car is about to hit road debris, and even one that lets you control your smart home from the gadget placed around your wrist.

The three most important partnerships that Pebble announced are with eBay, Evernote and Time Warner Cable. The app corresponding to the auction site enables Pebble users to look for new products and add them to a Watch List. At the moment, you cannot buy things using your smartwatch, but maybe that’s for the better, as it gives you more time to think.

The Evernote app, on the other hand, is a simplified version of its smartphone counterpart. Basically, it enables you to checklists, reminders and notebooks. Typing on the Pebble smartwatch is still in the experimental phase, so it might take a while till people would actually be able to write down important stuff in the Evernote app from Pebble’s Android appstore.

Time Warner Cable’s iControl app developed in collaboration with this wearable tech company enables the users of Pebble smartwatches to control their IntelligentHome. You’ve got to admit that this is pretty innovative, since no other smartwatch manufacturers tried have ever tried this.

Last, but definitely not least, there are new clock faces in the app store, since in the end, the Pebble must act as a watch too, right? If you happen to own a Pebble, regardless if it’s Steel or the classic version, you should go to Google’s Play Store to download Pebble’s new appstore.

Pebble’s update of its app store stands to show that no matter how good the hardware is, without adequate software, it might as well be used as a press-pappier. Luckily for us, Pebble 2.0 delivers more than we could ask for.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Pebble Steel and the Google smartwatch that should be launched sometime in 2014.

BLOCKS Modular Smartwatch to Be Released in 2015

Posted on by
Blocks Modular Smartwatch

Modularity could make as much sense in smartwatches as it does in Google’s Project Ara smartphone, as it would enable people to use only the bits they’re really interested in.

The idea behind the Blocks modular smartwatch is pretty simple: you should be allowed to buy only the modules that you find useful, without paying extra money for the bells and whistles smartwatch manufacturers typically throw in the bundle.

It definitely looks like the world is going back to barebones that can be customized according to the taste and needs of each of us. That’s simply great, as we can create unique combinations of modules that are particular to every individual, and secondly, we no longer have to break the bank when buying a smartwatch or any piece of wearable tech, for that matter.

Needs change in time, and not only because new devices (or in this case new modules) hit the market, but also because humans feel the need to evolve (at least some of us do). Whenever this happens, the owners of a Blocks modular smartwatch would be able to swap their older modules for the newer and better ones, in order to be harder, better, faster, stronger, of course!

In the case of modular smartphones, the modules are found on the back of the device. Taking such an approach would be impossible in the case of smartwatches, so the Blocks timepiece will feature modules in the form of wristband links. This would practically enable people to attach all sorts of sensors (GPS, heartbeat sensors, accelerometers, etc.), cameras, microphones, audio jacks, speakers, and anything else you could think of. If you can’t afford or simply don’t need more than a few modules, you can complete the wristband using dummy blocks. Anyway, this concept could easily open the way for a world of customizations.

The launch date of the Blocks smartwatch is currently unknown, and is only estimated to be sometime in 2015. The price is yet another aspect that hasn’t been disclosed, but the basic package, which includes the display, the CPU and the battery, shouldn’t be more expensive than the $150 Pebble. Rumor has it that Google is going to sell the basic package of Project Ara for $50, so a barebone smartwatch costing three times as much is a bit unrealistic, I would say.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Boeing Black modular smartphone and Google’s Project Ara.

Second-Gen Fitness Wearable Moov Packs 3D Sensors and Audio Feedback

Posted on by
Moov 3D sensor-equipped fitness wearable

Unlike other fitness trackers, Moov’s 3D sensor-equipped fitness wearable can be used for various activities and can even be attached to pieces of sports equipment.

Fitness trackers, despite being only at the beginning of the road in terms of development, still have to come with something unique in order to differentiate from one another. If Samsung’s Gear Fit comes with a heartbeat sensor that has never been seen before in fitness trackers, Moov takes things even further with its 3D sensor wearable. On top of that, it provides audio feedback with the small things that could increase the effectiveness of your workout.

Meng Li, one of Moov’s three cofounders, stated in an interview with Mashable that “We have the same mission: to make people fitter and healthier, but from a different approach that gives you a wearable coach that can coach you while you’re moving and working out.” They are definitely right about having a different approach, as Moov practically turns Siri into your personal assistant. The previous phrase also contains a reference to the main downside of the Moov fitness tracker: it doesn’t work with Android devices, which is quite a shame.

The supported activities available at launch are running, swimming, cycling, cardio boxing and weight training. You don’t have to worry about damaging it while swimming, though, as it is completely waterproof. As you will see in the following video, Moov could be attached to golf clubs to measure the swing, and I think that tennis rackets would qualify, as well. However, this will be implemented by developers as soon as the manufacturer will offer them access to the open platform.

Moov intends to crowdfund this fitness tracker, but for that, it decided to run a campaign independently rather than relying on Kickstarter or Indiegogo. That’s definitely not something you hear everyday, but every company is free to apply whatever strategy it sees fit. Simply put, Moov is looking to raise $40K in the next month. Pre-orders have been opened, and all it takes to claim this impressive fitness tracker is to back the project with $59 for one wearable or $99 for two. Despite the fact that they are offering their device only for the iOS platform, I hope that the crowdfunding campaign will be successful and that the device will hit the market soon. Maybe that will make them consider Android, as well.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the Samsung Gear Fit fitness tracker and the Babolat Play smartphone-connected tennis racket.

Oral-B Smartphone-Connected Toothbrush Is Coming Out in June

Posted on by
Oral-B Smart Toothbrush

While electric toothbrushes have been around for quite a while, dental hygiene devices that connect to apps on smartphones were unheard of until Oral-B announced the world’s first Bluetooth toothbrush.

Ever wanted to receive tips on how to brush your teeth better? The innovative toothbrush that Procter & Gamble created for its Oral-B brand connects via Bluetooth to smartphones running its companion app, in order to bring the Quantified Self even further. Mind you, this smart device does not replace your dentist, it merely makes sure you follow his advice by allowing him to program the app. This way, you will know which areas need more attention.

Michael Cohen-Dumani, global associate director for Oral-B, stated in an interview with Reuters that “Dentists always tell us: ‘People do a great job in the week before they come to visit us and in the week after they visit us. But nothing can hide the fact that when we look inside the mouth we can see all the areas they miss.’” In other words, the Oral-B smart tootbrush takes permanent care of your teeth, by pointing out which areas need additional brushing or if you brush too hard, fact that ultimately can damage your gums.

As Cohen-Dumani explained, the smartphone-connected tootbrush made by Oral-B “will guide you in terms of how to brush, and you will be able to fully personalize the brushing routine for you.” Probably the best thing about this device is that it offers instant feedback, which could made visits to the dentist’s office less frequent.

If you obsess about every detail related to your body, there are plenty of things you could do after taking care of your teeth with the Oral-B smart toothbrush. You could eat using a smart fork that prevents you from overeating. It’s probably not the best idea to do physical activities after eating, but if you’re in the mood for the white sport, you could pick up a Babolat Play smartphone-connected tennis racket or Sony’s smart tennis sensor, which also connects to an app to display your stats. Do you see where we’re heading? Soon enough, all the the products that we use will be connected either to the Internet or to our smartphones. Frankly, I think that’s not a bad idea at all, since we could improve our performance in so many ways by seeing what we did wrong.

Oral-B will unveil its smart toothbrush at MWC in Barcelona next week, and the product is expected to be available in June for $330.

Be social! Follow Walyou on Facebook and Twitter, and read more related stories about the bizarre 3D printed mold that cleans your teeth in 6 seconds and what looked like the ultimate toothbrush back in 2011.