This morning, Philips announced a new line of personal health technology similar to Withings’ popular products. Today’s announcement isn’t just focused on one area either. Philips will be releasing a new Health Watch, scale, thermometer and blood press monitor. With fitness tracking dominating 2016, it’s no surprise that the Dutch brand is entering the fray. Full details on each release below.
Of course, everyone is bound to be drawn to the Health Watch. Like other wearables on the market, it will track your activity, heart rate and sleep rhythms. The free iOS and Android app works in conjunction to help monitor your progress throughout the day. Another key piece is the inclusion of caloric intake tracking which is also handled through your smartphone.
Philips’ goal is to paint as accurate of a picture about your personal health and lifestyle as possible while collecting “clinically validated measurements”. Users won’t be seeing an Apple Watch-like device, although it will tell you to stand from time-to-time. At this time, it doesn’t look like the Health Watch will include smartphone notifications as the focus is on your body, not your Facebook account. It is available for pre-order today from Amazon for $299.99.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIh5L3tdWDs
There were other products announced in today’s press release too. As we noted above, Withings has long been known for its Smart Body Analyzer (fancy for a scale). Philips is introducing a similar product today that measures weight, estimates body fat and calculates BMI. It is set to retail for $99.99 when it is released.
Rounding out Philips’ new line of health-focused products is an upper arm and wrist blood pressure monitor ($90 and $100, respectively) and an ear thermometer ($60). Each of which are fairly standard in their features with the added ability of communication between other devices.
Dr. Mark Aloia of Philips explains the differences between their new products and existing options on the market:
“Our personal health programs are different because they’re built to motivate the user, showing that small steps can lead to big results. Changes don’t need to be radical. In fact, small changes sustained over time are a good way to help us reach our health goals. Measuring and tracking helps us take the small steps needed to improve our lifestyle. Our programs support you personally as you take those steps.”
Each of the new Philips HealthSuite products are available to order today from Amazon.
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[9to5-press-release]
Philips Launches Ecosystem of Connected Wearable Technologies – for People Who Want to Take Control of Their Health
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) today announced the global availability of wearable technologies and the first in a series of personal health programs that empower consumers to take greater control of their health. The medical-grade health monitoring devices — a health watch, connected scale, blood pressure monitor and thermometer — and a fully integrated companion HealthSuite Health App will be available at www.philips.com/healthprogramsbeginning August 1.
Over 66 million Americans over the age of 50 have at least one chronic disease1, yet research suggests that up to 90 percent of chronic conditions can be prevented through lifestyle changes2. Philips’ new products are designed to help those at risk of chronic disease to start measuring, keep monitoring and stay motivated in creating sustainable behavior change.
Philips’ personal health programs provide personal, tailored support to people taking steps towards healthier habits. Developed with leading medical experts and psychologists, they empower individuals to:
- Start Measuring: accurately track with the range of Philips connected health measurement devices
- Keep Monitoring: view data through an easy-to-use dashboard on the Philips HealthSuite health app
- Stay Motivated: stay in control of their health by tracking progress toward personal goals
The programs are designed for individuals who are at risk of developing chronic, lifestyle related conditions and who are aware of their higher risk status and are active in managing it. Each program comprises connected health measurement devices, an app-based personalized program, and secure, HIPAA-compliant cloud-based data analysis. The medical grade devices include:
- The health watch, which continuously and automatically measures a wide range of health biometrics, including heart rate, activity, and sleep patterns. It helps people seeking to prevent or manage lifestyle-induced chronic conditions by providing accurate and clinically validated measurements, enabling people at risk of disease to track their health on a day-to-day basis and identify how their daily lifestyle is impacting their health. $249.99 (model DL8791/00)
- The upper arm blood pressure monitor and wrist blood pressure monitor, which allow you to measure your systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as your heart rate. Upper arm: $99.99 (model DL8760/37); Wrist blood pressure monitor: $89.99 (model DL8765/37)
- The body analysis scale, which measures weight, estimates body fat (BIA), and calculates BMI. $99.99 (models DL8780/37 – black and DL3781/37 – white)
- The ear thermometer, which allows you to accurately measure body temperature in two seconds. $59.99 (models DL8740/37)
“Driving meaningful innovation to help improve people’s health and wellbeing is part of our DNA at Philips,” said Jorgen Behrens, Business Leader, Personal Health Solutions, Philips. “We have a 100-year heritage in providing healthcare solutions, from oral health to cardiac care. We’re the only company with such extensive healthcare and consumer lifestyle expertise. We combine deep clinical know-how and rich data, consumer insights and advanced technology to craft solutions which help individuals along the whole of their health journey. Our personal health programs have been developed in conjunction with leading doctors, psychologists and other experts. They will allow individuals to accurately measure vital signs to understand how lifestyle choices affect their body; set goals and monitor their progress, and stay motivated.”
“Our personal health programs are different because they’re built to motivate the user, showing that small steps can lead to big results,” said Dr. Mark Aloia, Behavior Change Expert, Philips. “Changes don’t need to be radical. In fact, small changes sustained over time are a good way to help us reach our health goals. Measuring and tracking helps us take the small steps needed to improve our lifestyle. Our programs support you personally as you take those steps.”
The programs represent a new era in connected care for consumers, patients and health providers, as healthcare continues to move outside the hospital and into our homes and everyday lives. They are built on the Philips HealthSuite digital platform, an open and secure, cloud-based platform that collects and analyzes health and other data from multiple devices and sources. The Philips HealthSuite Health App is free and available on iOS and Android starting today. The health devices can be purchased directly from Philips’ website or via Amazon.
About Royal Philips:
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. The company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips’ health technology portfolio generated 2015 sales of EUR 16.8 billion and employs approximately 69,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.
[/9to5-press-release]
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