Blog 2 about fitness trackers and equivalent

As per the first one. This blog is based on how I see them, not scientific. If you want scientific there is nothing better than dcrainmaker.

There are two main sources: retailers (online/highstreet/manufacturer) or crowdsourcing (IndieGoGo/Kickstarter).
If you want it now or this week, retailers are the place to go. Also they are released products and supported. This doesn't mean they are perfect or flawless or do not require regular updates, but they have gone through a version of product testing.

If you are happy to wait, have some surplus cash and are interested supporting new products and can stand delays and more wait, crowdfunding may by the place to go. However you need to have patience as you will get in effect a beta (if not an alpha) version and you are part of the test group. Therefore written down specifications and features may be what it may, will or can do but not always what it already will do or at this moment will do well.

By the way, a number of the devices actually be replaced by your android, Apple or Windows phone with the right app. 

For all the devices that can link with your phone to tell you you missed a call, as message a FB entry or Kim K tweeting, that can become irritating. However in a lot of cases I only actually notice my phone is ringing because the band vibrates. So the incoming call feature is actually quite good.

• Fitbit Charge HR, Surge and One - fitbit

In general if you are a bit competitive and you like to compete with friends on who can do most steps (and who doesn't want that) Fitbit seems to have most people on it. 

The One - is the smallest, cheapest and simplest. It counts steps. It has a clip so you can clip it to prevent losing it I guess. It's been my favorite for a long time. Just not been able to find a good place to clip it. Trousers probably not best place as sitting down and standing up will make it move and potentially you will lose it. So I kept it in my pocket without clip. Also not a good idea as I lost at least 2. My favorite way of looking for it was walking around with my phone to see if it would sync. If it did it at least would still be there. It's probably my all time favorite if you really only want steps and an un-intrusive device. No longer have mine. 

The Surge  - Is a full blown sports watch including GPS and you can select all sorts of activities. If you want to wear a normal watch as well, wearing both will make you look like Diego Maradona who used to wear a watch on each arm. It's a good device, the HR is typical Fitbit. God knows if it's correct, but I doubt it. It's a good piece of kit, and can serve as a weekend casual watch. It is expensive if you only use it as a stepcounter, but it can replace GPS, HRM and stepcounter device so maybe based on that it's relatively cheap. If you want to trace a number of different sports easily this may be a watch for you. It also tracks your sleep, if that is your thing. 

The Charge HR - my daily wristband. It has a clock but doesn't look like a watch. Therefore you can easily wear it on the other arm. It is basically the same as The Charge but with HR tracking. If you can't be bothered about your HR don't bother getting this one as it's about £30 more expensive.

• Moov - multi-sport wearable Moov

New kid on the block. The aim is that you wear one on a leg and one on an arm so you can do your triathlon training. Don't like I have to press it to sync. Also, the little device sits in a rubber band but not very secure as I've lost mine on more than one occasion during the night. So if you wear it going for a run, ensure it's below a sock. It does the job, not very intrusive but not sure it's for me. 

• Garmin Vivosmart - fitness / step counter - Garmin

Direct competitor to basically the Fitbit Charge/Charge HR but to HR only via chest strap. Good device, if you like Garmin this is the one for you. It fits well in the Garmin eco system, not intrusive band so you can wear it at any occasion. Not much to say, if I wasn't a Fitbit aficionado I would wear this one.

• Google Glass - V1 no longer in production. V2 corporate only

By no stretch of the imagination the most expensive. £1000 when they were for sale. However I really like the concept and I believe the world isn't ready for it as a consumer wearable. It's used by certain companies, specially in Field Service and Remote / Over the Shoulder coaching. It integrates seamlessly with android but works well with Apple as well. The main feature I like is the integration with Google Maps while cycling. It's very cleverly done and a lot safer than trying to look at your phone. It has it's own social media called Glossaic where you can store the video and/or pictures you take riding or walking around like an alien. The main downfall is the battery life. About 3 - 4 hours. It does have a headset function so you can use it to listen to your music. If you do this and have the GPS on, you better bring a charger. It's a consumer gimmick but will have some real corporate / technology benefits in the near future.

Subjects

• Blog 1 HealBe GoBe - HealBe - GoBe
• Blog 1 Antelope - Antelope
• Blog 1 Beddit - Beddit
• Blog 1 Kreyos - no website but a link to a write up Gizmodo on Kreyos
• Blog 1 Amiigo - Amiigo
• Blog 2 Garmin Vivosmart - fitness / step counter - Garmin
• Blog 2 Fitbit Charge HR, Surge and One - fitbit
• Blog 2 Moov - multi-sport wearable Moov
• Blog 2 Google Glass - V1 no longer in production. V2 corporate only
• Flyfit - smart ankle tracker for swimming, cycling and running. Flyfit
• Runscribe - data collection while training runscribe
• Stryd - power meter for running stryd
• 3ax - clipless pedals - 3Ax - still on kickstarter
• Garmin Vivosmart - fitness / step counter - Garmin
• Smart Halo - turn your bike into a smart bike - smart halo - still on kickstarter
• Recon HUD - The Jet HUD
• SeeSense Icon - the intelligent and connected light. - I've got it, seems cool. Not sure how the theft function works tho. SeeSense
• Gymwatch www.gymwatch.com
• Jabra Sport Pulse - Jabra
• Whitings Pulse and Pulse O2 - withings
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