PPUG Spring 2013 picks: Jawbone Up, BodyMedia Fit, and Withings Body Analyzer

At last month's PPUG meeting, I gave a presentation called Using technology to be healthy and live longer. If you missed the meeting, you can download my presentation (.key, or PDF).

The products I demonstrated included:

• Jawbone UP ($129.99): A wristband that tracks how you sleep, move, and eat. It also includes cool features like smart alarm, power nap, and idle alert. This is the band that I replaced my Nike+ FuelBand with because of the sleep monitoring functionality. I reviewed the Jawbone Up here on March 19, 2013.

• BodyMedia Fit Link ($149.99): This armband monitors your calories, activity, and sleep, and integrates with the Activity Manager portal to analyze raw data, log food, and track your progress. It's an FDA-registered medical device with the most accurate calorie burn measurement (based on clinical trials). The armband includes sensors for skin temperature, galvanic skin response, and heat flux, and integrates with the new Withings WS-50 wi-fi scale (see below). The Fit Link requires a subscription ($6.95/month, $59/year, $89/two years) to use beyond the trial period.

• Withings Smart Body Analyzer ($149.95): This killer, next-generation wi-fi scale measures weight for up to eight different users (so it is suitable for the whole family), body composition, heart rate, and indoor air quality, and features in-app coaching. It syncs with the Withings Health Mate app for iOS (free, App Store) and also with the BodyFit system (above). This is probably my favorite and the most compelling device of the lot.