The US$99.95 Withings Pulse, available now, is a pocket-sized activity tracking tool designed to help users achieve personal health and fitness goals. For the first time ever seen on an activity tracker, the Pulse adds heart rate measurement and automatic run detection to the tracking of steps taken, distance covered, elevation, calories burned, and quality of sleep.
The device syncs via Bluetooth Smart with the free Withings Health Mate app where all the data is collected and displayed in real time. The app is iOS compatible and available for download at the Apple App Store.
Weighing just 8 grams and measuring 1.69 inches, the Withings Pulse is designed to be unobtrusive. It can be inserted into a pocket, bag, or used with the included clip on a belt, shirt or bra. The front of the device features a fully functioning OLED touch surface that will allow users to navigate through the screens and browse a 14-day history of collected data. The back houses the on-board heart rate sensor where users simply place their finger to take their readings.
By adding heart rate measurement to the Pulse, Withings has been able to give users a way to see the larger picture of their total health. By monitoring resting heart rates and heart rates after physical activity, a user can see how the improvement in heart rate correlates to physical activity. The better a user’s physical fitness becomes, the lower their resting heart rate.
The Withings Pulse will also appeal to the 50 million+ American runner/ joggers*. It is designed to automatically detect when a user is running or jogging. To access the duration and distance travelled during a run, a user simply presses the top button on the device to instantly view their stats without the need to fumble through any screens to view it.
What's more, the Withings Pulse also has you covered when it’s time for bed. Users can launch sleep cycle analysis where they can track their movements throughout the night by inserting the device into the included wrist band. The next morning the information is sent to the Health Mate app where users can precisely assess their sleep patterns and actually see how physical activity, or even or lack of it, affects sleep.
The Pulse has a two-week battery life between charges. Charging can be done via the provided standard micro USB cable plugged into a computer USB port or via power supply unit. There’s even a Power Save mode where the Withings Pulse runs on reserve power to give users 24 hours of extra battery life even though the screen isn't on.
The Withings Pulse is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad, iPod touch 4th gen, iPod touch 5th gen and Android devices 2.3.3 or higher. For more information go to www.withings.com/pulse .
