Tools, Gadgets, and Widgets

I got a new toy. It's a Jawbone UP. The UP is an electronic bracelet that tracks your movement, sleep patterns, and eating habits. You sync the device with your smartphone where you can set your goals., how many steps you want to move in a day, an alarm when you've been sitting too long, hours of sleep, and what you are eating. You can also connect with friends who also have the device.

I'm still in the getting to know you phase. The bracelet is made from latex-free rubber. (Good thing because I have a severe latex allergy). You wear it day and night, in and out of the shower. I don't like the feel of it when it's wet so I take it off to shower. The few steps dancing around aren't going to matter for my 4,000 step goal. I'm working up to 10,000 steps per day.

The device comes in a bunch of colors and looks like a colorful bracelet. It fits well, but is a little heavier than it looks. You know you are wearing it. You change the operating mode by pressing on the silver endcap. Changing modes isn't intuitive and it takes some time to get it right. There are quite a few online resources to help you out as the device doesn't come with a manual.

The down side to the device is having to remove the silver Jawbone cap to connect the device through the earbud port on your smartphone. Jawbone also makes Bluetooth headsets that use a wireless connection to detect your phone. Too bad the same technology wasn't included in the bracelet.

The bracelet comes with a charger that connect by USB port to your computer. The charge supposedly lasts 10 days. I ran into a problem where the bracelet crashed when it indicated it still had a 3 day charge left. Again, online resources helped me get the device back on track without losing data.

I'm enjoying UP. I like trying to beat my daily personal best and best of all I don't have to spend hours at the gym working out.