Fitbit Adds Glucose Tracking To The List Of Ionic's Features
The wearable company is partnering with Dexcom to quickly deliver data for people with diabetes.
Wearable tech has carved out a comfortable section in the tech industry and, when it comes to watches, consumers can select from a plethora of features to fit their lifestyle. The NBA has partnered with Fitbit, one of the most notable names in wearables, inspiring gamers to get more active by offering in-game rewards for activity. This time around, Fitbit is partnering with a company to add a glucose monitoring feature that could improve the lives of many.
Reported by Engadget, Fitbit is teaming up with Dexcom to add glucose monitoring to the Ionic's feature set. Dexcom currently provides continuous monitoring via a sensor that's placed under the skin and there are ways to view the data on smartphones and the Apple Watch.
"We believe that providing Dexcom CGM data on Fitbit Ionic, and making that experience available to users of both Android and iOS devices, will have a positive impact on the way people manage their diabetes," said Dexcom's CEO, Kevin Sayer.
The Ionic, which is due for launch in October, will be $299 and has quite a few features already. The smartwatch can track the wearer's oxygen level to track sleeping patterns and help those with sleep apnea, has GPS tracking for in-depth tracking of outdoor workouts, and will also work with Fitbit's new Coach feature that instructs wearers with audio and video workouts. Consider this another step forward as Fitbit works to provide helpful gear to an even wider swath of consumers and provide a watch with end-to-end capabilities.
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replyCharles Singletary posted a new article, Fitbit Adds Glucose Tracking To The List Of Ionic's Features
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Damn! I have Type 1 and got all excited, assuming this was going to be something along the lines of the rumored glucose-sensing watchband coming for the Apple Watch. Instead, it just displays data from an under-the-skin glucose monitor (as mentioned in the article). Here's a review of that tech: https://www.hanselman.com/blog/DiabetesTechnologyDexcomG5CGMReviewSoMuchWastedPotential.aspx
Side note: That device says it still requires calibration vs. a regular finger stick twice a day, too, which is discouraging. But I wonder: are they required to say that for legal reasons, or is there actually a big risk that the thing won't be sensing your bloodsugar correctly? Has anyone used one of these?
I still can sense when my bloodsugar is getting too low or too high, so I don't need the thing to be dead-on accurate. It'd just be awesome to be able to quickly check that feeling against a device without spending a crapload more money on healthcare. -
I wish any of these devices (fitbit, apple watch) had accuracy worth a damn compared to a chest monitor...
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hmm maybe apple improved the v2 watch? I remember reading that pretty much every wrist based heart monitor was like anywhere from 5-20% out from a chest strap when running, but yea that doesn't look too bad...
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Also their industrial design is terrible - those are all hideous
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