UP3, UP Move: Jawbone courts both fitness fans and newcomers
Jawbone released two fitness trackers on Tuesday: the UP3 and the UP Move. The UP3 is the slimmest and most advanced fitness tracker the company has made. The new device comes with a slew of features, including an accelerometer, temperature sensors, and can measure bioimpedance, which includes hydration levels and heart rate. The UP3 can even collect detailed information about how well the wearer slept and what can be done to get more rest.
All of the information is stored in the UP app (available on Android and iOS devices) where Jawbone's Smart Coach gives personalized guidance to help users reach fitness and health goals. The app is the only way to see health data, because unlike many other fitness trackers, the UP3 doesn't have a built-in screen. The UP3 has a price tag of $179.
“Our advanced, multi-sensor platform delivers a huge amount of new health data, backed by our smart algorithms and our highly personalized Smart Coach system," Travis Bogard, vice president of product management and strategy at Jawbone, said in a statement. "And because the technology is fully updateable, we’re able to unveil great new features and experiences in the coming months.”
One of the most striking things about the UP3 is the design. With the fitness tracker, Jawbone says it tried to make the most aesthetic band it could. The UP3 is slim and comes in a variety of colors and styles. It has a one-size-fits-all band that has an easily adjusted strap.
"A key part of the Jawbone design language is to differentiate our product lines with jewelry-like surface textures that present our users with varied choices in materials and finishes," Yves Béhar, Jawbone's chief creative officer, said in a blog post. "We never think about hiding our components behind fashion clichés. Instead, we want to create wearables that express their high-tech function while creating new categories of beautiful and personal accessories."
Jawbone also debuted the UP Move, which is a smaller version of the fitness bands. This device seems to be geared toward first-timers looking to give fitness tracking a try. Instead of wearing it on a wrist, the UP Move is designed to be clipped onto pants or a shirt. The UP Move goes for $49, perfect for those on a budget.
"UP Move is a ... great option for anyone at the beginning of a fitness or weight loss journey," Mr. Bogard said. "Incorporating the same ... activity features as our UP and UP24 bands, the UP Move tracker combines style, versatility, and comfort with highly accurate tracking and personalized guidance."
The smart band market is expected to grow 129 percent in 2015, according to research group Canalys, and going into the holiday season, a number of companies are looking to gain a foothold in the market. Microsoft released its Band in late October. Around the same time, Fitbit released the Surge, Charge, and Charge HR. Apple Watch, which won't be released until next year, will also be able to track movements that will be stored in a fitness app.
"When it comes to wearables, we've seen plenty of sensor-laden devices that would be tough to wear all day, and plenty of pretty-yet-functionally-light gadgets that may not be robust enough for health-tracking addicts," wrote Engadget's Devindra Hardawar. "With its slick design and bevy of sensors, the Up3 could finally end up being the ... device to bridge that gap."
