The competition in the wearable technology industry continues and Withings is not about to back down, releasing its next-generation Pulse O2 activity tracker that goes beyond the conventional features of tracking steps, elevation, heart rate and calories burned.
Pulse O2 is equipped with the ability to measure the wearer's oxygen levels using a lens and light mounted on the back of the device. This reading helps the wearer assess the overall condition of his respiratory system by providing an estimate of the level of oxygen saturation in the bloodstream. This feature is particularly useful for mountain climbers, hikers and persons with breathing difficulties such as asthma and bronchitis.
It can also keep an eye on the wearer's sleep patterns, measuring the length of time spent in bed compared to the actual time spent sleeping. Pulse O2 also has the ability to analyze sleep phases, helping the wearer determine his ideal waking time.
Withings' latest activity tracker looks almost like a carbon copy of its predecessor, the Pulse. It is a small rectangular piece with blue LED lighting for easy reading in whatever lighting condition. Wearers have the option of using a black or blue wrist strap for wearing the device around the wrist like a wristwatch or clipping it to their clothes.
To view other statistics, users only need to swipe the interface to see the readout on sleeping patterns, steps, elevation, calories and heart rate.
Pulse O2 automatically syncs with an iOS or Android smartphone using Bluetooth Low Energy. It also connects with Withings' Health Mate app to provide wearers with real-time coaching and in-depth information about their stats.
Customers who bought the original Pulse do not need to purchase the Pulse O2. Withings will roll out a firmware update that will allow Pulse to measure wearers' oxygen levels, though the company did not provide the details of when the update will take place.
Although Nike, a big player in wearable technology, has lately dropped its market-leading FuelBand, major companies such as Google and Samsung believe in the potential of the budding industry.
Whether the wearable niche is starting to boom or not it will take some time to tell. Clearly, leading brands are pouring money to get into the game while some seem to shy away from it. High-tech watches are popping out from all directions and has definitely redefined what the wristwatch is for and today that is not simply to tell us the time.
The Pulse O2 is now available at the Withings website for $119.95.
