Review

Jawbone Up fitness band review

Can a $99 rubber wristband inspire owners to move more, sleep better, and eat smarter?

By Thomas Ricker on November 6, 2011 03:03 pm 124Comments

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period.

See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills!

Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?

Hardware

A hypoallergenic rubber skin is made to be sweat-proof and water-resistent to a distance of 1 meter

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Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?
Jawbone Up fitness band review

You're fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep. At least that's what the consumer electronics industry seems to be saying with the recent deluge of fitness devices announced. In the last month alone, we've seen the introduction of the seventh generation iPod nano with integrated Nike+ sensor, the Fitbit Ultra clip-on sensor, and Motorola's MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano + LunaTik watchband. And that's not even counting the myriad of dedicated cycling, running, and swimming computers targeting hardcore athletes over the same period. See, fact of the matter is, we are fat, lazy, and tired, particularly in the US and increasingly in parts of the UK and Western Europe. According to 2008 statistics compiled by the US Department of Health Service, 68 percent of US adults are overweight or obese. Ironically, the US also leads the world in gym memberships with 50.2 million people (16.3 percent of the total population) toiling away in air conditioned sweat boxes. Unfortunately, 80 percent of those well meaning individuals don't actually use their memberships beyond the month of January — "resolution month" — resulting in about $12 billion wasted each year. In other words, the recent glut of fitness products has nothing at all to do with corporate altruism; there's gold in them thar cellulite hills! Today also marks the retail release of yet another fitness device: Up, by Jawbone. While most of you know the Jawbone brand from its highly stylized Bluetooth earpieces, the company has branched out recently with its well-received Jambox portable speaker. The Up fitness wristband is meant to be worn 24-hours per day, every day. Like the Fitbit, Up includes an accelerometer that tracks your movement in order to give an estimate of your calories burned. It also features a sleep measurement mode that continuously measures your sleep cycle. However, unlike the Fitbit, Up can vibrate your wrist at just the right moment so that you awake feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Or at least that's the claim. Up is also very much post-PC, meaning it connects directly to the iPhone's headphone jack to synch with a free app. Question is: is it worth $99 given all the competition?

If you've seen a Jawbone Jambox then you're already familiar with the Up's rubber covering. The band itself is composed of a steel spring vertebrae that snaps rigidly into place around the wrist. It's hypoallergenic covering is made to be sweat-proof and water-resistent to a distance of 1 meter (about 3 feet).

There's no clasp on the wristband so it's easily removed and put on — faster than a wristwatch in most cases. In practice, mine has held up to daily showers over the last four days of testing. It dries quickly in the air or with a wipe of the towel.

Beneath the rubber epidermis you'll find a high-tech carcass made from a 10 day battery, a vibration motor for alarms, and a motion sensor

I don't wear a wristwatch on a regular basis, and when I do the strap is made from steel or leather. I found Up's rubbery texture to be mildly annoying, especially at first. The rubber can be sticky resulting in a slight but noticeable tug at the skin and hairs around the wrist, especially when the sweat begins to flow during a working out.

In general though, I found Up to be comfortable enough that I rarely noticed it except when it would stick inside a shirt sleeve while getting dressed. I also have to slide it up my wrist whenever placing my hands on the palm rest of my laptop.

Up's anatomy benefits from the miniaturization of sensors, batteries, and motors driven by demand for smaller and smaller smartphones. Beneath the rubber epidermis you'll find a high-tech carcass made from a built-in 10 day Li-ion rechargeable battery, a vibration motor for alarms, and a motion sensor. At one end of the band is a square multifunction button for putting Up in activity, sleep, or workout modes. Press-and-hold to switch between active and sleep modes; or press then press-and-hold to go into workout mode. Two indicator lights — a blue moon (sleep) and star (red when charging, green when in activity mode, or flashing green when in workout mode) — are neatly integrated into Up's skin and illuminate briefly to confirm your selection. Unfortunately, while the lights are easily seen in the gym, they are nearly invisible when outside in the sunlight. A 3.5-mm plug is on the other end, hidden by a Jawbone-branded cap. Now, about that cap...

Eventually you will lose the plug cap, I'd put money on it

It's my guess that at some point in time you're going to lose the 3.5-mm plug's end cap. I remove and plug the Up into my iPhone three or four times a day: one in the morning to see how I slept, once or twice during the day to check my activity, and a final time at night to see how my overall day looked. That's three or four opportunities to lose the cap. Eventually, you will lose it, I'd put money on it. Fortunately, unlike the Fitbit device which can inadvertently pop off your belt and disappear (like mine did), the Up wristband itself is not likely to fall off your wrist without you knowing about it.

Update: Jawbone responded saying it will sell a pack of three replacement caps for $9.99 on jawbone.com

If you haven't figured it out already, the Up mates directly with the audio jack of the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. It doesn't charge via the jack, naturally, but it will manually sync with the free Up iOS application. Jawbone claims full Up compatibility with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S. It also support the iPad and iPad 2 but the Up app isn't formatted to take advantage of the iPad's larger screen. It does support the iPod Touch 4th generation and above but the GPS functions in the app are limited.

Oh, and as a bonus, the Up also makes a decent video viewing stand just as long as you don't mind listening to your video through the on-board speaker.

Software

The polish is applied to a thin veneer — the app feels very much like a 1.0 product

Up integrates the same Fullpower-MotionX engine already found in Jawbone's Era motion-controlled headset. It's this internal software that allows Up to make sense of the data collected by its motion sensor, converting it into steps, distance, calories burned, pace, intensity level and active versus inactive time. You sync data off the Up by attaching its 3.5-mm plug to your iOS device, launching the free Up app, and hitting sync.

The iOS app is free but not all that intuitive even though it features the kind of UI polish you'd expect from a Jawbone product. Unfortunately, the polish is applied to a thin veneer — the app feels very much like a 1.0 product (although it's listed as version 1.1 for launch) with its confusing structure and buggy operation.

In portrait mode you can see a segmented view of your sleep, activity, and meals. Rotating your device into the horizontal presents you with a detailed view of each segment ordered chronologically in a timeline. I ran into a bug more than once, where nothing would display on the landscape timeline until I swiped the screen. There's more finicky behavior if you tap the screen in portrait mode, as doing so will force the display into landscape. The only way to return it to portrait is to rotate the phone 90 degrees in one direction and 90 degrees back.

With great lucidity and intent, I stripped Up off of my wrist and allowed my backup alarm to rouse me later

Sleep tracking

One of Up's potentially hyperbolic features is the programmable Smart alarm. Jawbone claims that Up "wakes you at the best possible moment in your natural sleep cycle." It does this through actigraphy, a non-invasive monitoring of your body's nocturnal activity (Fitbit does the same). In essence, putting the Up into sleep mode turns the device into a sleep actigraph where Jawbone's "proprietary algorithms" (as they were described to me) begin actively measuring your states of sleep based upon micro movements at the wrist (similar to eye flutter in REM). The data is then converted into hours slept, time to fall asleep, light versus deep sleep, and sleep quality. Actigraphy is established science. More to the point, it does seem to work. Sleep mode turns itself off automatically after it detects a certain number of steps.

You set and activate Smart Alarms using the iOS app. Unlike typical alarms that wake you at a discrete time that you select, Up wakes you up anytime within a 30 minute range. Therefore, it's important to set the Smart alarm for the last possible moment that you must be awake.

In practice, it does seem to work. However, the first time I used it was shortly after we launched The Verge. Up started vibrating at the earliest possible time within the 30 minute range. With full clarity of mind I was able to calculate that I was robbed of an extra half hour of sleep. So, with great lucidity and intent, I stripped Up off of my wrist and allowed my backup alarm to rouse me later. I certainly prefer being awoken by a gentle vibration instead of the piezoelectric blast of audio released by traditional alarms. However, the idea of waking up even a minute sooner than my allotted sleep quota is too great a mental hurdle to overcome.

meal tracking

Up's food journal is by far the weakest part of the overall experience. At the moment, all you can do is photograph your food for reference on a timeline. After an hour or so, you'll receive a push notification asking you to pick an appropriate facial expression icon that best describes how the meal made you feel. Jawbone says you can use your responses to help discover which foods make you feel the best. Really, that's just marketing spin for an underdeveloped feature. Fitbit, for example, allows you to match your meals to a large database of predefined generic and branded foods with their calorie counts already inserted. The Fitbit site then lets you know how your caloric intake balances with your activity allowing you to adjust your activity to match your weight loss or fitness goals. It's still an approximation and requires a lot of manual input but it far surpasses Jawbone's feeble attempt at managing your eating habits.

In an ideal world, using the Up app to photograph your food's label would recognize it, Google-Goggles style, and automatically assign the caloric data to the meal. Someday, maybe.

The more team members you have the more effective it is, I guess

activity tracking

Up-gpsrun-step-treadmill-gpsrun-555

Activity tracking is pretty straight forward and entirely consistent with my Fitbit experience. The Up tracks your steps, distance, calories burned, pace, intensity level, and active vs inactive times and presents the data as vertical bars on a timeline — the longer the bar the more intense the activity. The sections with a red foundation are workouts (activated each time with a press of the Up's button followed immediately by a press-and-hold). The image above represents today's workout broken into four parts: a 0.40 mile run to the gym, a 3.11 mile climb on the Stairmaster, another 1.83 miles on the treadmill, and then the 0.38 mile run home (hey, I walked a little). The yellow gaps in between represent normal activity.

3.11 mile workout climb exploded

Activity prior to the workout exploded

Workout activity can be tracked with or without GPS data. To start a workout in GPS mode you simply put the band in workout mode (causing the band to vibrate and briefly illuminate a rapidly flashing green star) and then choose "workout with GPS" in the app. To stop collecting GPS workout data you have to stop the app and set the band back to activity mode with another press-and-hold of the Up's button. The GPS data will be combined with the band's data the next time you sync the two. Confusingly, the GPS data doesn't appear in the main activity view along with all your other workout data. Instead it shows up in your general feed alongside data from all your teammates. Yet another annoying design feature of the app.

Up also offers a number of public "challenges," some sponsored by big name health clubs, meant to help keep your motivated. One, like Eiffel Tower, unlocks a charitable donation for the first person to climb 1,655 steps. Another is a group effort to walk the Great Wall of China by combining the total steps of the team. Jawbone's "team" concept lets you see (and compare) how your friends and family are progressing to meet their goals. The more team members you have the more effective it is at motivating your competitive spirit, I guess.

Jawbone automatically publishes your name and profile image to the searchable Up directory. Your user data, however, is set to private by default. You can of course change that to share your data with individuals, teams of people, and / or everyone. Public challenges require you to post some activity data publicly in order to combine with the team effort or to verify your accomplishments towards the goal.

Finally, Up features unique "activity reminders" that alert you with a gentle vibration whenever you've been idle for too long. You control the hours that these alerts are active (for example, 9am to 10pm) and the duration of idle time that triggers a reminder (15 minutes, 30, one hour). Being gently nudged as a reminder that you've been motionless is a far better motivator than Fitbit's witless "you can do it!" messages.

Update: Jawbone responded telling us that an Android app is up next.

Wrap-up

Both the Up and Fitbit Ultra can inspire owners to move more, sleep better, and eat smarter by making them consumers of their own health

I've now lived with both the $99.99 Jawbone Up and $99.95 Fitbit Ultra fitness devices so you're probably wondering which I would recommend? So am I, honestly.

First, Up is only available for owners of the iPhone 3GS or newer models. The iOS app is a basic requirement of the UP system — without it the Up hardware is a functionless rubber bracelet. So the choice is obvious if you don't own an iPhone.

The Up app is pretty limited in functionality compared to what you can do with Fitbit's full-blown web interface and mobile site. And Jawbone's "meal tracking" feature is laughable in comparison. Having said that, iPhone owners will appreciate the convenience of being able to sync and view their data wherever they are (Fitbit owners must walk in range of their dock).

As a 24 / 7 wearable device I greatly prefer Up's wristband design as opposed to Fitbit's clip design. I never worry about Up sliding off my wrist whereas I lost my Fitbit when it popped off my belt. Both devices measure the quality of your sleep but only Up offers an integrated vibrating Smart alarm to wake you up and activity reminders to nudge you out of your lethargy. Up, unlike the Fitbit, is waterproof, allowing you to take it swimming, and it can draw your runs onto a map using GPS data collected from the iPhone. Fitbit Ultra, however, includes an altimeter, which the Up lacks, to more accurately measure the exertion required to climb and descend stairways.

So, I'm calling it a draw and urge you to carefully consider the benefits and shortcomings of each device based upon your own needs. Neither can compare to expensive fitness computers (costing two to three times as much) that measure peak athletic performance while quantifying your every move. They don't have to. The Jawbone Up, like the Fitbit Ultra before it, has successfully inspired me to move more, sleep better, and eat smarter — and that's worth 99 bucks to me.

Update November 22nd, 2011: Since reviewing the product we have experienced a product failure that we've seen repeated too frequently in the Jawbone support forum and on Twitter. We've discussed the issue with the Jawbone team, including Travis Bogard, Jawbone’s VP of Product Management. Jawbone is offering free replacement units but does not yet know the root cause of the issue. Until this is fixed, we can not comfortably recommend this product.

Update: December 8th, 2011: Jawbone has discovered hardware issues with the Up bands and is offering a full "no questions asked" refund.

Compare It

Jawbone Up

8.0 Verge Score 6.0 User Score Write Review

Good Stuff

Waterproof
No risk of losing the wristband
Sync and view data wherever you are
Smart alarms work as advertised

Bad Stuff

Meal tracking is a joke
App software is clearly a 1.0 work
Data management not as fun or robust as Fitbit
You'll lose the cap eventually

Comments

k57rad says:

These reviews are insanely good. In fact, the whole damn website is like reading my favorite magazine. Hmmm, is a print publication in the works? I’d totally subscribe to an exclusive bi-yearly print mag! You guys are good.. reeeeaaal good. I’m gonna pass on the Jawbone Up tho. Superfluous much?

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:11 PM EST reply Recommend (35) Flag actions

Ty1361's reply:

Yeah, no joke. The Verge is the POOP! I kinda want one but I am rocking out with Windows Phone. No app love for at least another 5 years. I am intrigued by this product, would definitely buy. So maybe i should be thanking Windows Phone for saving me money.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:21 PM EST reply Recommend (8) Flag actions

OKJCGO's reply:

Exactly what do you mean by, POOP, sir.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 7:53 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rikkit's reply:

Yeah, same boat. Hopefully it’ll change sooner than in five years time…

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 10:29 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

kernelpanicpopcorn's reply:

Oh, I so much agree with you.

The Verge is crazy good. It’s both my single most favorite tech-site – extremely well-written at it – and it’s beautiful too. Not to mention the mobile version of the site: just right.

Man, I could keep rambling for hours.
I love this.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 4:55 PM EST reply Recommend (6) Flag actions

Bazinga!'s reply:

Agreed, but no print.. Print is outdated, and bad for the environment….

Why not just an iPad/Android magazine in a ‘Wired-style’ package??

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 9:54 PM EST reply Recommend (3) Flag actions

Deontre Hayes's reply:

One word.

“Newsstand” :0

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 11:49 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Deontre Hayes's reply:

Now word.

“Newsstand” :0

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 11:50 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

myChrisD'Angelo's reply:

It’s too positive. Like a video game review

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 11:02 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Wehoo's reply:

So it should be negative even though he likes the product? Should everything be negative?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 2:04 AM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

patrice.ricard's reply:

You’re right especially if you read the ilounge review (www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/jawbone-up-by-jawbone/)

Here they give 8.0 to a product which doesnt deliver (food tracking is a joke and the app is poorly designed)

Posted on Nov 20, 2011 | 12:52 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

FrankyApple says:

Pretty cool, I wish I could buy, but I do not have the money. I find this really good for people that want to be more healthy. I am already healthy enough. For some people this could be a life saving device. In my opinion.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:15 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

coffeecoffee says:

“You’re fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep."

Looks like The Verge knows its audience.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:21 PM EST reply Recommend (29) Flag actions

TFausett's reply:

Nailed me right on the head. Ever since I became a dad I have gotten so lazy.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:32 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

christophermx4 says:

“So, with great lucidity and intent, I stripped Up off of my wrist and allowed my backup alarm to rouse me later. "

That really cracked me up.

On the actual device…honestly, the review didn’t really bring out enough reasons to purchase a device like this. To be frank, I see no reason why a well-written app on a modern smartphone couldn’t be a much cheaper alternative to the Jawbone Up.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:22 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

wasia says:

It’s rubbish, until they connect their fitness software to Runkeeper. I’m pretty sure Runkeeper is the best complete fitness solution out there.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:23 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Jeremy Levine's reply:

Seriously. They need to get this on the Runkeeper Health Graph asap. Other than that looks like a really slick product. I may give it a shot for the optimal wake feature.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 11:28 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

wasia says:

I like an idea of 24/7 wearable bracelet, though

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:24 PM EST reply Recommend (4) Flag actions

EddieRiggs says:

If only they made a version covered in spikes, I’d be on board.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:25 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

David Lii says:

Tried to buy one today, but all of my retailers were sold out. This is the beginning of a big industry.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:28 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

mksidman's reply:

Ditto. Went to my local Best Buy and the product was already begin backordered.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:21 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

mksidman's reply:

being*

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:22 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

bxstrb's reply:

Tried to buy one too. Target never heard of it. Apple only had size small and Best Buy was already sold out.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 8:05 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

mleatherb says:

Awesome Review. Really loving the review style so far! I will be buying one of these. I lose things way to easy, and a 24/7 bracelet is the best thing for me. I’m not lazy by any means, but a little nudge here and there doesnt hurt!

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:30 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

bogorad says:

Thomas, can you tell us if the bracelet buzzes on all alarms/etc emitted by ios?

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:31 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

APVangeliLMS's reply:

It’s not wirelessly connected to iOS, so I would see this as impossible.

The only interface with any device is through it’s 3.5mm headphone jack. At least it has a 10-day battery because of this.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:36 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Thomas Ricker's reply:

No, there’s no radio inside of the band to receive alerts. You plug Up into the iPhone and use the iOS app to set the Smart wake-up alarm and activity reminders that buzz when you’re being too still for too long.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:38 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

kenalexdon says:

Great review. I’ll probably pick one of these up (no pun intended…) If anything, it’ll make me feel futuristic.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:31 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

iVerge says:

great review looking forward to buying one of these

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:32 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

klavr says:

UNOX on The Verge. My favorite combination.

Great review!

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:35 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

kernelpanicpopcorn's reply:

Noticed it as well!

I didn’t know they sold Unox in the States!

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 4:53 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

klavr's reply:

The writer lives in Amsterdam ;)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:56 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

APVangeliLMS says:

I thought you’d be able to sync it with a computer, and that the Android app is coming soon?

Minor important details…

I feel like I want to buy one anyway… Just the sleep cycle tracking, vibrating wake alarm, and activity tracking seem to justify the rather inexpensive asking price… (For a Jawbone product…) Plus, it’s not actually bad looking at all. :)

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:35 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

jharrier says:

Found one of these at my local Apple Store on Friday. Love it so far. As the review said, the food tracking isn’t all that great. The activity tracking is nice and the sleep monitor is fabulous. Really neat to see your activity throughout the day and sleep quality. It has definitely made me more aware of my activity and eating habits.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:38 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

tbechmannfrost's reply:

I am considering buying this. Does the sleep tracking actually work? Do you feel a difference waking up?

Great review. I love the look of this!

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:45 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Norman D. Robinson says:

Seeing how I’ve only recently started to take on a rigorous workout routine that involves my wifey and two close family friends, I’m supper excited about how this device can keep all of us honest and consistently current. We’ev been running from home to work about 6.9 km three time a week. After reading this well written review…., I’m all in on this.

I’ll be looking to make our family purchase and convincing our friends to do the same.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:47 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

RobCurran says:

Brilliant review, I’ll be ordering it for the alarm function alone…

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:49 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

artysx says:

Does is make a difference for sleep quality? Real one?

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:51 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

wasia says:

Everybody, concerned with sleep feature: you can try any of the iPhone sleep apps and decide for yourself, if it helps you. They work mainly the same principal, pretty accurate and draw fancy graphics. There’re plenty of these apps in AppStore.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:57 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

starxd's reply:

How could an app alone work the same way?? The Up tracks your “micro movements” to determine your sleep patterns and then wakes you at the optimal time. No app can do that.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 7:58 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Gameboy70's reply:

You leave the iPhone on your mattress while you sleep, and the app (e.g. Sleep Cycle) uses the accelerometer to track your movements.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 9:23 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

njchen24's reply:

Unfortunately, this won’t work if you sleep on a memory foam mattress (Tempur-Pedic mainly). Thus the wristband make more sense much like the Sleeptracker watch.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:10 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

starxd's reply:

LOL. Ok. I’m sure that’s very accurate.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 3:27 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Matic Drakulic says:

Nice review, I’m really interested in this sleep feature.

It’s funny what Safari does with review on Verge, when you click Reader :D

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 3:57 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

perla says:

Great read!

But i really cant see myself using this thing, its like the sleep cycle app on iphone.. Fun for a week but then it gets to much of a hassle :o)

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 4:04 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Silent Rocco says:

Design is ace! I’m interested. Instabuy for half the price. And gosh, your reviews, your site; The Verge is so above all! Congrats once again.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 4:12 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

LoreMale says:

Wow, ok this is what I’m talking about. This is a review. Well done. Note sure about the Up though. Who would get this thing,

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 4:14 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

AltDimension says:

Oh wow. I want one. Android app is hopefully coming soon.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 4:14 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

BenGuzman says:

Great review. I’m gonna wait a bit and see what the folks at fitbit fire back with.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 4:21 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

PCG1 says:

7th gen iPod Nano?

Pretty sure its still the 6th, just with newer software.

At least according to the Apple website.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 4:29 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

T.Grant says:

At $49, I’d buy this. But for this price I need twice the capability.

-wireless syncing
-no charge batteries like those fancy watches
- built in heart rate

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 4:31 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

gustavomds says:

do want.
if only i could find it in stock somewhere

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:04 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

upsman says:

I am buying 2 :)

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:05 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

DorKnight says:

I was seriously interested, until I saw it was for iOS only… wtf.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:07 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

CraigJ says:

Motorola’s MOTOACTV knockoff of the iPod nano

Yes, it looks like the Nano, but last I checked the Nano doesn’t talk to the iPhone. I was really hoping that Apple would have allowed for the Nano to be used in conjunction with the iPhone and create an their own band for wearing, and make the thing waterproof.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:13 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

aprime's reply:

I’m truly hoping that Apple is working on a wifi/bluetooth Nano.

Boombotix has a Kickstarter project that has a bluetooth adapter for the Nano.

I’m waiting for an iCloud/Bluetooth enabled Nano that is waterproof as well!

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 7:48 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

CraigJ's reply:

I would love to be able to wear a Nano on my wrist and use it to control the iPhone in my pocket, answer calls, change music, talk to Siri. Maybe even face time. An iPhone, a wrist device and a decent bluetooth headset all working together to answer calls, get reminders, see caller ID, etc, etc would be awesome.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 8:08 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

JayTea says:

Nice review. Just not sure if I want one or not, just depends on if the reminders to move and stuff can work without having the device with you (I am going to use my original iPad) and if it would fit my lifestyle well. The sleep and reminders I would use, exercise, probably, but the eating, likely not.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:32 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

CurtD032 says:

I hope it gets popular enough that they release it for other mobile OSes. I would really like one.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:37 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

PremierePrimo says:

That’s a great picture to lead off the review. Well done!

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:46 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Germanthoughts says:

The software really is not very good. You can’t zoom into a detailed view of your workouts. You also can’t assing categories to your workouts. I’d love to be able to differentiate between running, swimming, weight lifting, bike riding, for example, and have the software take those tags into consideration when calculating calories. You also can’t set different alarms for different days of the week.

I am also not convinced that the sleep monitor works accurately. I have only had the device for a week but it looks like it already thinks I’m sleeping when I’m just lying in bed watching TV. It also doesn’t catch that I woke up during the night. Not sure if I’m expecting too much here?

Obviously the real kicker would be if the next generation could integrate Bluetooth 4.0 to sync wirelessly and also buzz the band when you get a text or a call.

Anyways. Just my 2 cents.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:48 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Peteostro's reply:

“Obviously the real kicker would be if the next generation could integrate Bluetooth 4.0 to sync wirelessly and also buzz the band when you get a text or a call.”
Really like that idea but too bad apple locks access to those 2 things so unless apple adds API support it isn’t going to happen. Maybe on android?

Great review Verge. I think I’m going to wait for the basis watch (if it ever comes out)

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 8:19 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Xena says:

Very interesting! I’ll have to check it out when I have money to spare.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:51 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Dasaii says:

I kind of want one just because it looks nice…

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:52 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

nicthemartian says:

i tried the sleep cycle thing on the iHome alarm app, but i kept forgetting to tell it that i was going to sleep (which is activated by sliding a button across labeled “bedtime”) and when i did set that i was going to bed i was still awake for a half hour or so, and as a result didn’t properly track my sleeping habits.
The jawbone up looks to do this automatically (after setting it to sleep mode, lol) so this seems like a somewhat more elegant solution. not to mention it looks great.

Excellent review

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 5:57 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

snoodthebubble says:

Version 2 should be amazing. Include gps and Bluetooth and you’re on to a winner.

I presume that would destroy the battery life, though…

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 6:05 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

starxd's reply:

I am personally very happy that this device works without any radios. I prefer not to have any radio device strapped to my body 24 hours a day. Radiation may only be a minor risk, but why risk it at all if you don’t have to?

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 8:03 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

CraigJ's reply:

It’s not even a minor risk. See also non-ionizing radiation.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 11:41 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Ernest Adeghate says:

As a tech geek the UP appeals to me. As an athlete I consider it useless !

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 6:24 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

.ben's reply:

I agree. Not enough useful features for anyone who exercises regularly. 100 bucks for a vibrating bracelet is insane.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 6:39 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

the_cardinal says:

Any plans to sell this is Australia?

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 6:39 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

reddotster says:

I’ve been using the Lark to track my sleep for a few months. It doesn’t do the “30 minute fuzzy logic” wake up thing, which I appreciate. They recommend you charge it every day and provide a base which does that and holds your phone at night. Additionally, it connects to your phone via bluetooth. I like it quite a bit. I’m interested to compare it to the Up.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 7:05 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Nathann says:

I actually really want this, especially for the sleep feature. But sadly no webos 2.x love ;(

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 7:22 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Cyanobacterium says:

Maybe I’ll get this as a “don’t be a pig during the holidays” reminder. I like the idea of the gentle vibration to wake from sleep. I’d much prefer that to a squawking alarm. Excellent review.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 7:29 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

cb17 says:

Really like that picture at the beginning! Did you guys take that or is that from Jawbone?

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 7:53 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Thomas Ricker's reply:

I took it, in my shower, using a D300 and and 18-200 lens.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 1:53 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

GFujioka says:

I just returned from the Bellevue Square (think Seattle) Apple store and they’re sold out. I called the local Best Buy and they said they’re back-ordered until the first week of December.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 7:55 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Valmoore says:

Great review. I have been tracking the Up and feel that the nutrition tracking (or lack thereof) is a deal breaker. If they are able to fix this in future updates I would likely bite.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 8:03 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

CraigJ says:

There is a problem I’ve noticed lately with hardware companies, and that it that they don’t seem to be that good at software. Software is hard. Good software is really hard. There seems to be an assumption that they can make a great piece of hardware and the software seems thrown together last minute, or takes longer than expected. I suspect that the reason is that calculating timelines for delivering a piece of hardware to the market may be easter to calculate than software development (again, software is hard and is very different from hardware development) and they have to go with what they have because they can’t afford to delay shipping the hardware until the software is fully baked. See also, HP TouchPad, RiM Playbook.

I was really excited about this until I read the software review. It seems like using this effectively means spending most of your time in the application. I will revisit this when they release version 2 of the app if tehy get it right.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 8:04 PM EST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions

werty1432k says:

8 seems a bit high for the review.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 8:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Littlezero13 says:

I was actually able to get one Friday at the AT&T store in my area and thought the review was right on the money. So far, the UP is working great for me. It seems to track movement accurately, and I don’t even notice it on my wrist. I was surprised at how well it tracked my sleep for the last 2 nights. Yeah, the app isn’t perfect yet, but I am hopeful that some of the little bugs you mentioned get ironed out. I also would like to see some changes in the nutrition section. This is definitely worth it for me because it makes me more aware of what I’m doing. Loving the Verge site and enjoyed listening to the first podcast.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 8:39 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

garrett says:

I would certainly like to try this, but the only problem is that there is no Android app. I think these wristbands will soon be a must-have among us “techies”. I mean it’s amazing that a wristband can track so much about us and show us how to improve. It is almost like a Pip-Boy, in a sense, and I do want a Pip-Boy. I look forward to future updates that can truly integrate this into our lives.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 8:39 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

ejk7 says:

Wonderful review! Keep up the great work!
I may consider getting this simply for the sleep tracking. I almost always feel like I wake up in the middle of the wrong sleep cycle and even though I sleep 7 or 8 hours I don’t feel refreshed. That feature alone could be worth the $99.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 8:59 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

mattpagano says:

why isn’t it for sale on amazon.com :(

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 9:23 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

VinodKrish says:

Great detailed review and excellent site… I am really loving this site and the work put together by the team.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 9:28 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

sergiogx says:

I tried to download the app and it didn’t show up.

I’m not on the US so I guess i’m screwed…. so friken frustrating

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 9:32 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ranhalt says:

Pro: No risk of losing it
Con: You’ll lose the cap eventually

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 10:35 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jdoscher's reply:

The fitbit got suicidal on me and got lost in several airports. This thing is much harder to lose, but I am treating “keeping the cap” as a personal contest to see how long I can keep it.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 1:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rockyromero's reply:

I keep the cap in my lips until I complete the sync.

I, too, want to keep the cap as long as I can.

Posted on Nov 11, 2011 | 6:44 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

TheseGoTo11 says:

“However, the idea of waking up even a minute sooner than my allotted sleep quota is too great a mental hurdle to overcome.”

Exactly why I would never use this. I don’t care if 5:55 a.m. is the optimal time for me to wake up…I’m sleeping until 6 a.m.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 10:58 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

Dustin McGrew's reply:

Same here. And why would I listen to a little wristband tell me to get up and move? Who does it think it is? Wake me up 15 mins before my alarm? GTFO.

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 11:11 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rockyromero's reply:

I ignored UP vibrating me before my time, this morning.

Paid the price.

Guilt.

Couldn’t bring myself to email my sleeping results to my wife, who has decided to sleep coach me.

Hah!

Posted on Nov 11, 2011 | 6:47 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Nedkelly says:

What we really need here is the FitBone Up Ultra ;)

Great review!

Posted on Nov 06, 2011 | 11:22 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

TheMilkWars says:

Man, I was almost going to buy this piece of crap. Thanks for the review.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 12:40 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

oghowie says:

Damn, why is this not available at Amazon?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:33 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

preshit says:

I was genuinely considering purchasing one via a friend and getting it shipped to India, but ~~I think~~ I’m definitely gonna wait.

Fantastic review, and I love the formatting and the way photos and text is laid out.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:42 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Crenk says:

Not sure the Jawbone is going to catch on

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 3:28 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rockyromero's reply:

Maybe not with others.

Already planning this for my team & family.

..and holidays are coming for gift giving.

Posted on Nov 11, 2011 | 6:50 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Cormac Wallace says:

Nice review! Also I still can not hardly believe how great the site looks and feel! yes it can be a bit overwhelming in content but it feels like a favorite magazine! Also nice to see the wonderful city of Amsterdam and UNOX soup in on the Verge:P Makes me feel a little patriotic

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 3:42 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Elijah says:

If I new the Apple store would be selling them early, I might have made the effort to hit one up but instead, I waited till Sunday, sent the wife out, and she said that the local Best Buys we’re sold out. Just orders two of them online. I wet with a Medium so I don’t have it slipping up and down my wrist. Hopefully that’s large enough. Everyone keeps saying that the iPhone app is in need of an UPgrade, but it is listed as 1.0. If they had released it as 0.5b, would that of had made it better?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 6:19 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions

Elijah's reply:

knew – wish I could edit my comment right away. And the iPhone doesn’t help either. I promise I’ll proofread more.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 6:21 AM EST via mobile reply Recommend Flag actions

JonTan says:

Holy Hell The layout of the site and its reviews are excellent. I have been reading Gizmodo and Engadget for years and thisismynext for months, and this is by far the best layout and portrayal of pictures and word placement i have come across. Keep up the good work!

“You’re fat, lazy, and not getting enough sleep”
unfortunately this applies to me…

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 7:54 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rockyromero's reply:

I get enough sleep.

I just want to know what’s going on.

Waking refreshed is a plus.

Posted on Nov 11, 2011 | 6:53 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

gpmoo7 says:

Too bad it works only with iPhone 3GS/4/4S … I guess they gotta start somewhere.
I don’t understand why they didn’t use Bluetooth for the connection.

(I actually enjoy reading articles on this website, very nice layout!)

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 8:38 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Totalkharnage's reply:

I’d take no Bluetooth for the 10 day battery life as a result. All about trade offs .

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 11:38 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

sean600 says:

I going to buy this however they said it would be available in Canada Sunday however they are not oh well

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:50 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

sean600's reply:

*I was

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:51 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

nathankollett says:

I’ve had it for one day and it’s already surprising me with how useful it is. So far it seems very accurate as a pedometer and the sleep tracking is also impressive (It even captured that minute or so when I woke up in the middle of the night!).

So far $99 well spent, we’ll see how it holds up with workouts at Crossfit tonight.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 9:55 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

elizabethwebber says:

Thanks for the great review! Looks promising. I was hoping to pick one up, but I guess I’ll stick with my bodybugg from for now. (What they use on biggest loser http://bodybugg.extole.com/a/clk/lqrW) Might not be as pretty, but far more accurate and easy to input my calories. I’ll be excited to see how it comes along though! If the tracking was there I would buy one in a second. All you Android users might want to check it out as an option for you.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 10:39 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Heck says:

Not sure if it’s been mentioned, but AT&T has them in stock. Just ordered one for the wife with free 2 day shipping.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:18 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Rustin says:

Ok, so maybe I missed something, but how do you charge this darn thing? Do you have to replace the battery every 10 days?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:27 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jdoscher's reply:

You charge the device via a USB-headphone jack adapter on your PC. I’m sitting on my butt in my office so it’s a good time to charge it. It’s supposed to go 10 days, I am guessing it’s probably closer to 7-8 but that’s ok with me.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 1:05 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

Rustin's reply:

Thanks! I couldn’t find the answer on their website or in the review. I was thinking the same thing about the battery, but 7-8 days is plenty of window to charge it.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 1:13 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

chriskobar says:

I purchased the UP and used it for a day. Honestly, just not worth it. First of all, and most importantly, why the hell do I need to manually plug the device into my iPhone to sync it with the app. Bejezus H. Monte Cristo! It’s about time such devices can simply communicate with the phone via Bluetooth without requiring me to manually take the device off, remove the cap, plug it in, and hit the (weirdly organized) Sync buttons in the app. Wha? The ENTIRE point of having a $99 device like this is so that I don’t have to do anything. I just amble about all day, run around, maybe workout, crash at night, get up for work, etc., and ANYTIME I want I can simply launch the app and see how I’m doing. This way I can always adjust my activity and get regular feedback. Not much use if the only way I know what I’m up to is to take the device off and do a manual sync. Okay, maybe it’s not horrible, but it’s not a $99 experience. As a UX professional, this is pretty bad, despite all the groovy aesthetics of the device and app.

Also, I just don’t get why I have to hit the “record workout” button whenever I workout. If the device is recording all my activity 24/7, it should know when my activity level has increased to workout levels. If I have to again manually tell it, then another big reason for having the thing disappears. And if I actually want it to track my activity on a map, well I have to have my iPhone with me! But if that’s the case, why have the wristband at all? Hell, I already have RunKeeper….

And finally, if it’s only feedback mechanism is an occasional vibration, how the hell do I know what that really means? What if I ignore it? Will it remind me again soon? (No, not really.) Why can’t the device “talk” to my iPhone and have my iPhone provide actually useful feedback, like showing a message that says “Hey, you haven’t moved from your comfy chair for 3 hours, bud! Time to get up and rock some abs if you wan’t to avoid becoming one of those slugs you always make fun of!” Seriously, though, what it “tells” you is pretty weak. And I won’t even mention the uselessness of the food functionality (sic).

Overally, I really don’t see this helping at all. I already returned it when I realized all its drawbacks. Until someone makes a device that measures your motion activity with GPS accuracy, measures your heart rate with accuracy, does not require another device to be with you while doing this, does this 24/7, can understand what the data means (i.e., you are probably sleeping, you are running, you are working-out: not moving, but exerting), does not have parts that have to pop-off, and can transmit this information bidirectionally with a smartphone app whenever in proximity, it’s just not worth the money buying one.

My suggestion? Use RunKeeper or something similar for tracking your runs. Use Lose It! or whatever you like for tracking food, if that keeps you happy. And set your phone to alert you a few times a day to get off your ass and get active. And then hit the gym a few times a week. Oh, and use the remaining money you saved by not buying this device (~$89) on a great date.

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 1:28 PM EST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

jdoscher's reply:

I think all of your points are valid, but after doing a bunch of fairly manual data logging for fitness over the last year, the Up may not be perfect but it’s a big step in the right direction.
1.) The marking of start/stop exercising is silly on the surface, but it’s great for marking the difference between your workouts and your daily routine. I am already seeing that my daily routine is much more sedentary than I thought, and that my workouts are fine. It would be really hard to see that data mixed together when there are so many different kinds of people and activity levels out there.
2.) Bluetooth would be nice, but it’s waaaaay too power hungry. Even Ant+ would be ok, but since no PCs, Macs or Android devices have the receiver it wouldn’t work without yet another adapter. I think the headphone jack is a nice touch- I just wish I could leech power from my iPhone to my Up. You have to use a PC/Mac for charging.
3.) I think there is a ton of room for improvement- but I still think this is super helpful if you’re committed. Remember that unless you are using RunKeeper, none of these fitness devices get you access to your data in bulk (XML, CSV, etc).. Which is where RunKeeper rocks.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 1:10 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rockyromero's reply:

You described version 9.0 accurately.

Version 1.0 works good enough for me & the rest of us out here.

Wearing it on my ankle, except when sleeping then it’s on my wrist, I’m more aware of my health & responsibility to be more alive.

I’ll also use other apps depending on the workout situation.

It makes sense that UP will have relationships with other apps as fitbit does.

For now, it’s the best out there for what it does: wakes me refreshed, visually track my intake & embarrass me to move more than my team mates.

Posted on Nov 11, 2011 | 7:06 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

sideleven says:

I have a suggestion the makers of the Up could consider for their next iteration(or the android version :p ):- Would it be possible to have a miniaturized NFC chip inside the UP to upload data into the phone?

Posted on Nov 07, 2011 | 2:21 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jdoscher says:

It’s worth noting that the Up has a couple flaws that are possibly improved with software/firmware updates- specifically that you must set it to sleep mode. I passed out on my bed last night before I had a chance to hit the “sleep” mode button combo, so the Up logged no data all night until I awoke in the morning.

Secondly, the iPhone app has a great tool for logging runs via GPS to get more accurate results for distance, but there is no solution for indoors- specifically treadmills. 2k on the treadmill only logged .15 miles on the Up.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 1:03 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

torybriggs's reply:

The Up didn’t accurately log your treadmill workout because your arms probably weren’t moving much. An easy solution is to wrap the Up around your ankle when using the treadmill or stationary bike.

But I agree, I wish it could sense when I’ve fallen asleep.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 2:55 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

jdoscher's reply:

In my opinion they need a “treadmill” mode where you can tell it you’re starting, just like the GPS mode and then manually enter the data on the iPhone. That could all be done without any serious modifications. I won’t soon forget the sleep tracking thing again- with the Fitbit I had to switch it from belt clip to wristband, but there’s far less to lose or change with the Up.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 7:59 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

rockyromero's reply:

One night without sleep tracking may not be a big deal in the bigger scheme of your life.

What is a big deal is possibly waking up less than refreshed the next morning.

Posted on Nov 11, 2011 | 7:10 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

ocha says:

At 99 bucks I’m really ready to try this out.
Hopefully they’ll further develop it but the initial package looks interesting.

Posted on Nov 08, 2011 | 8:36 PM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

sagittariusoverorion says:

hi guys i am little bit realistic on these devices, normally i am really slave of the gadgets gives me the details of my body like heart beat, do i have arythmia( like a holter device) or my aerobic/anaerobic tresholds, pulsoximeter like devices.So I bought this guy in this manner because of my curiosity (from Apple store of Bellevue Square). 1.Design is cool(like Audi or BMW upholstery style) 2.Function; counting my steps is not a ultra feature, WHO suggests 3 days/w, 30-45 mins aerobic exercise to be healthy.You can write it on your office and home door. so you can remember to make exercise. Do you know this reality; most popular second hand item on online stores is treadmill, because everybody buy it but never go on it so they sell it as secondhand. So the companies use your intense desire on the idea “loosing weight”. So why i bought this device ? I am really interested in sleep cycle as a professional medical issue. I am planning to use it to make survey on my osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia patients to understand their sleep habit and exercise capacities during their daily life. So i am not really sure about sleep function works really accurate. I will double check it in the sleep lab of my institute. I can share my results with you here. If it works in correct manner i will use it as a follow up device to able to write an scientific article. by the way it can be used medically for sleep disorders and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to correlate patients “Flick Sign”. And my question to editor is; how this device calculate sleep quality in numbers?

Posted on Nov 10, 2011 | 5:05 AM EST reply Recommend Flag actions

RH-87 says:

This device looks cool and is an interesting concept. The app looks cool and has nice graphics. The overall experience of the device and app is very poor. Where to begin:

A. The device is designed to be worn 24/7, but is NOT comfortable. The rubber pulls at my skin and hair on my wrist and is so thick I catch it on everything. The metal on the back rubs on tables and scratches across my computer all the time.

B. I have to tell it when I’m sleeping. Why? And when I wake up. And if I set it back to “awake” and get up before my normal wake up time the alarm still goes off. I just thought it would have some smarts to it.

C. The battery is crap. I keep trying to charge it with different kinds of chargers (since the only give you a crappy light gray 6" dongle) and I check via this app to make sure I have 100% charge and I’m still not getting a full day. Seems like it was fine before I tried workout tracking mode and ever since then it’s been terrible. I don’t put it in that mode anymore but it doesn’t seem to matter.

D. I have joined challenges but they don’t let me keep track of anything or remind me. ??

E. I get a vibration reminder via the bracelet but nothing in the app. ?? I want reminders re drinking water via a challenge but I get nothing.

F. The calorie tracking via photos seems completely bogus. Not even close. I can’t remember to take pictures of all my food. No good.

So basically it was an idea with promise but just totally let me down in execution. No where near the comfort of Bodybug or Fitbit. Terrible battery. No intelligence. Not tied into challenges. Not seeing any coaching or trend analysis so I can improve. How can this be announced last January, come out in November and be this bad?

Posted on Nov 19, 2011 | 8:57 PM EST via mobile reply Recommend (1) Flag actions

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