App Wrap: "BodyMedia," "Withings"
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
NY1 highlights the coolest and newest apps for your cell phone or mobile device in the twice-weekly segment “App Wrap.” NY1’s Adam Balkin filed the following report.BodyMedia
Your smartphone can do a lot, but it can't everything on its own. In particular, it can't monitor what's going on with you and your body. That's why there are a growing number of peripherals being made available to help your mobile phone out.
For example, the BodyMedia armband can wirelessly, via bluetooth, tell your phone a lot about what is going on within your body, such as how many calories you're burning, how many calories you're consuming and how many steps you're taking. If you wear it at night it will even record how well you're sleeping. Then, based on all that information, it can tailor an exercise program to your needs based on your weight loss goals.
While the app is free for Android and iPhone users, the armband itself will cost you about $250. You will also have to subscribe to the BodyMedia Fit service which costs around $10 per month.
Withings
Withings is another app to help you see inside yourself. It has been around for about a year or so, recording your weight and body mass index numbers on your phone or computer via bluetooth. Now the company is out with a similar system for keeping track of your blood pressure, this time with an app that works with your iPhone, iPod or iPad.
It works just like you think it would. Plug the the Withings blood pressure monitor into your device of choice and it will automatically inflate and take your reading. It then keeps a log of all your information on your personal Withings page. It can also keep a side-by-side log for you next to your scale numbers if you choose to use the Withings scale as well. The app is free but the FDA approved Withings blood pressure monitor will cost you $130.