The week in wearable tech
It’s been another busy week in wearable tech – here are the key stories from the week.
Amazfit gets AI workout coach
Zepp Health has launched an AI coach for its Amazfit Falcon and T-Rex Ultra smartwatches.
The coach offers real-time, two-way coaching vis a ChatGPT-style chatbot, and enables users to ask a range of training questions.
Examples shown in the promo video include “how can I increase my VO2 max”, with the AI suggesting structured workout sessions. However, it doesn't yet interact with your recorded workouts, or offer real-time coaching.
Oura study shows Covid hits unvaccinated harder
Smart ring maker Oura has published a study showing that the physiological response to COVID infections was greater in its unvaccinated users.
Focusing on breathing rate, body temperature trends, heart rate variability fluctuations, sleep efficiency, and resting heart rate data in the month prior to and following an infection or vaccine, researchers were able to identify larger fluctuations in those who didn't report having a vaccine.
Recommended by LinkedIn
Whoop launches Stress Monitor feature
Whoop has officially launched its Stress Monitor, and the fitness tracker can now offer real-time feedback on stress levels.
The Whoop app displays your real-time stress levels, and you get a Daily Stress Summary, which tells you how much time you spent at elevated stress compared to your daily average.
Whoop also offers guided breathing exercises as a way to combat stress. It's chosen a specific type of guided breathing called ‘physiological sigh’, which was developed at Stanford, and was chosen for being “the most efficacious in helping reduce and create a state of relaxation," according to Whoop VP Kristen Holmes.
Fitbit closes down community features
Not content with removing music streaming apps from older models, Google and Fitbit have now announced that elements of the Community will be removed from the app.
Per a comment shown in the Community tab of the iOS/Android app, shown below, Fitbit has shuttered adventures, challenges, and open groups.
he sunsetting doesn't end with the Community tab, either. Fitbit is also removing Fitbit Studio for developers, instead pointing them in the direction of its command-line SDK. This was one avenue for creators looking to create their own Fitbit watch faces or third-party apps for Fitbit OS.
Change is in the air over at Fitbit. Google is trimming down Fitbit's feature offering – and it appears as if it's looking to make the company's offerings less appear less favorable against the Pixel Watch.