Jawbone announces the UP Platform and acquires BodyMedia

I have tried many activity trackers, but after the release of the new Jawbone UP and Android support, the UP is my preferred choice. Jawbone just announced their new UP Platform (PDF file) that takes the UP even further and allows 3rd party developers to integrate their service with all of the amazing data the UP captures. To continue solidfying Jawbone's place in the fitness market, they also announced the acquisition of BodyMedia.

UP Platform

The latest UP software for Android and iOS is pretty powerful in itself and I particulary like the ability to view all of my data and also share parts of it with family and friends. With the new UP Platform support, we see 10 apps/services at launch that you may already be using for your health tracking.

The current 10 supported apps and services include IFTTT, LoseIt!, Maxwell Health, MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal, Notch, RunKeeper, Sleepio, Wello and Withings. I am a huge fan of RunKeeper and now when I track my runs using my MOTOACTV I can get that data into UP and have a single place to go for all of my health and fitness tracking needs.

Support for these apps launches on iOS, but you can always use an iOS device (like your iPad) to setup the integration and then view the data on an Android device. Native support for Android is in development.

I own a Fitbit Aria scale, but may have to sell it and move to a Withings scale since I do workout in order to manage my weight and enjoy the ease of use and collection with a WiFi scale. Some of the other things you can now do with the UP Platform, as stated in the press release, include:

• Log a run or bike ride with RunKeeper or MapMyFitness, and view your workout data in UP, including maps of your route, to see how last night’s sleep may have impacted your speed or distance.
• Step on your Withings scale and automatically import your weight into UP, to track it in the context of how you sleep, eat and move, and get support from your UP teammates as you work toward your goal.
• Create nudges using IFTTT based on your UP activity, like texting you to go for a run if the weather is sunny, or tweeting at your workout partner when you reach 15,000 steps.
• Complete a workout with a personal trainer in your home or hotel room using Wello, and log the workout directly into UP.

I am very interested in the IFTTT funtionality and plan to set up a few of these routines. Jawbone stated they will be opening up the API to more developers in the future so we will see support for the UP expand. Which of the 10 launch services interest you?

BodyMedia Acquisition

I tried out a BodyMedia Fit device in the past and while it collects an amazing amount of data, I was not a fan of the upper armband approach to data collection and stuck with wristband or clip-on devices. BodyMedia is a leader in health tracking and has one of the largest databases of human sensor data with a registration with the FDA as a Class II medical device.

BodyMedia has nearly 300 issued and pending patents so combining their technology with Jawbone's design expertise is an exciting prospect. BodyMedia employees will join Jawbone's existing team.

Related stories

• Jawbone Up: New internals and attractive mobile app provide stylish life tracking (review)

• Jawbone released Android app for Up, becomes my prime life tracker

• Fitbit adds Android direct syncing support for Galaxy S III and Note II users

• Fitbit One adds Bluetooth sync and silent alarm; the one life tracker to buy (review)

• Nike drops plans for Android Fuelband app, time for Jawbone and Fitbit to step up

• Fitbit Ultra or Jawbone Up: Which one meets your lifestyle tracking needs?

• Life-tracking tools for a better, healthier you: Fuelband, Fitbit, Up compared