The Jawbone UP3 is available in SA, as of Monday.
The wearable fitness tracker captures workout and sleep data, and, unlike its precursor, the UP2, the UP3 monitors the user's resting heart rate, as measured upon waking up, before influences such as movement, exercise or caffeine take their toll.
New algorithms allow the UP3 to identify and classify different physical activities. While it automatically recognises activities such as running, cross-training and cardio, it can learn to automatically register many more difficult-to-recognise activities such as cycling, weight-lifting or yoga.
Jawbone's UP devices, which do not feature a display screen, link to the UP for Jawbone smartphone app, available free for Android and iOS via Google Play and the App Store. The app displays the data collected by the device and offers a Smart Coach feature, which uses analytics to offer personalised goals and tailored guidance while tracking the user's progress.
The UP3 also captures sleep stages including REM and Light and Deep Sleep, and through the app can provide insight into the user's sleeping patterns, such as optimal bed time or whether the user should take time to de-stress before bed.
"With UP3, our mission was to create the world's most powerful tracker in the smallest possible design," says Travis Bogard, VP of product management and strategy at Jawbone. "Because UP3 is fully updateable, we're able to unveil new features and experiences in the coming months."
The UP3 has a battery life of up to seven days, and is splash-proof rather than waterproof, which means users can wear it in the shower or while washing their hands, but not while swimming.
The minimalist, wristband-like wearable comes in black or silver and is available for R2 399 at Clicks, Dis-Chem and Dion Wired, and online from Superbalist.com and takealot.com.
UP3 was released in the US on 20 April, and its successor, UP4, was released in the US on 25 June. In addition to UP3's features, UP4 is equipped with an NFC chip for making mobile payments - a feature that would currently be of little benefit to SA users, however.
Other popular wearable fitness trackers available in SA include the Fitbit, Garmin, and Misfit ranges.
Share