Withings has expanded its line of activity trackers with Withings Go, which it says is one of the most affordable, versatile and fully featured activity trackers available.
Priced at $69, it is a highly intuitive tracker with always-on E Ink multiscreen display and ability to automatically track steps, distance, running, swimming and sleep features, usually only offered on more expensive devices.
Dashing E Ink display
Withings Go features a sophisticated always-on E Ink display, extending the “at a glance” attribute Withings pioneered with its Activité line. Information is always available, even in bright sunlight or in water thanks to the screen’s 88 graphic segments that transform at a simple touch to create different displays for various situations. The main screen provides the user’s level of activity – shown as a dial depicting the percentage of progress achieved towards a specific day’s activity goal. As this goal is met, the central icon changes to display a reward in recognition of the day’s achievement. The Withings Go will also transform to tell the time, creating an analog watch face.
The very low power requirement of the E Ink display means the Withings Go can operate continuously for up to 8 months. There is no charging required as the device uses a button cell battery (CR2032).
Automatic activity recognition
Withings Go automatically recognizes a variety of daily activities, which allows the user to wear it all day and track everything without having to push a button. For walking and running, the device analyzes number of steps, distance covered, calories burned as well as the duration of the running session. Go is also water-resistant (5 ATM) and automatically recognizes when the user starts swimming, providing the time of the session and the calories burned. At night, Go analyzes and can distinguish between light and deep sleep cycles to give users a full understanding of their sleep patterns.
Withings Go connects to the free Withings Health Mate iOS and Android application, named as one of Apple’s Best Apps of 2014. Health Mate acts as a personal coach to track and motivate users to achieve their own activity goals as well as advanced food logging capabilities, thanks to a proprietary integration with MyFitnessPal. The app provides a timeline of daily reports and contextual advice to help achieve goals. It also includes an interactive leaderboard, personal “data insights,” smart reminders, and achievement badges for added motivation through gamification strategies. In addition, Health Mate integrates with over 150 partners whose services add to the 360° wellness experience (GPS running, food logging, etc.).
Wide wearable appeal
The Withings Go is designed to expand the appeal of activity trackers to wider audiences, helping people of all fitness levels achieve their health goals. Available in 5 vibrant colors (black, blue, green, red, yellow), it can be worn in multiple ways to suit individual styles or social settings. Whether placed on the wrist, clipped to a belt, carried on a keychain, or in a pocket, it is with you wherever you go.
Withings Go expands the Withings portfolio of trackers that currently includes the Pulse Ox activity, heart rate, and blood oxygen level tracker ($99.95) and three distinct models of the Activité line of highly stylized analog watch activity and sleep trackers. These include the luxury Swiss made Activité ($450), the premium Activité Steel ($169.95) and the versatile Activité Pop ($149.95).
“We are delighted to introduce Withings Go which rounds out our portfolio of stylish, advanced activity and sleep trackers that meet the needs of people from all walks of life,” says Cédric Hutchings, CEO of Withings. “Sporting a number of industry firsts, from always-on multiple displays to dynamic activity recognition, we have once again released a product that will make activity tracking accessible for everyone.”