Category Archives: health

Owlet Smart Sock for Sleeping Babies at CES

February 1, 2017ces, health, Interview, Special Media, videoces, CES 2017, children, Health, Interview, parenting, videoAndrew

The technology to measure physiology is becoming commonplace: any smart watch worthy of the name can record heart rate. The trick now is to incorporate these sensors into other useful gadgets. A good example here is the Owlet Smart Sock which brings reassurance to parents that their baby is sleeping normally.

The Owlet Smart Sock monitors a baby’s heart rate and blood oxygen, alerting parents or carers if either measurement causes concern. The Owlet Smart Sock system has three components; the smart sock or bootie which is worn by the baby on its foot, a monitoring unit and the companion app. The bootie communicates with the monitoring unit via Bluetooth and if there is a problem, parents are notified by visual and audible alerts on the Owlet unit and smartphone(s).

The app is available for both iOS and Android but check compatibility before buying.

The Owlet Smart Sock is available now for $249 direct from Owlet.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

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TytoCare Telehealth at CES Keeps Sick Kids at Home

January 25, 2017ces, health, Interview, Special Media, videoces, CES 2017, Health, Interview, videoAndrew

Parents around the world will recognise the perennial problem of taking their child to the doctor for relatively minor ailments simply to get prescription or medication. The kid just wants to be wrapped up in bed watching TV but they’ve to be dragged down to the doctor for 2 minute exam to confirm it’s nothing to worry about. TytoCare have a brilliant solution in the shape of the TytoHome telehealth and remote examination kit. Todd finds out more from Dedi Gilad.

The TytoCare system is a hand-sized unit with a small screen which has icons for the body area to be checked – nose, ears, heart, lungs, temperature. The device uses a selection of interchangeable sensors which are shaped appropriately and are plugged into the rear of the unit.

The device combines a number of medical instruments, including

a high resolution video and still camera
an infrared forehead thermometer
an otoscope for the ear
stethoscope for the heart and lungs
tongue depressor for the mouth and throat

The TytoHome connects via Bluetooth to any smartphone and the complementary app demonstrates and guides the owner in the use of the device. The collected data is either recorded for later review or on online consultation can be started with a healthcare provider, sending data back to the clinician during the discussion.

The TytoHome is expected to retail at US$299 when it comes to market. There are enhanced versions for professional use (TytoPro and TytoClinic).

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

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Fall Asleep Effortlessly with 2breathe at CES

January 23, 2017Apple, ces, health, Interview, Special Media, videoApple, ces, CES 2017, Health, Interview, sleep, videoAndrew

Getting enough sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle but for some people the problem isn’t just about getting into bed early enough, it’s about falling asleep. Israeli firm 2breathe has developed a smart sensor and complementary app to help those who have difficulty nodding off. Todd relaxes with Erez.

2breathe is a guided breathing system that uses a body-worn sensor to read the breaths in and out. The app records the breathing rate and then using softly-spoken instructions and gentle music, gradually reduces the breathing speed of the wearer. As the breathing rate slows, the soon-to-be-sleeper will get drowsy and fall asleep. In the morning, the app produces a session report, showing the time to snooze and breathing patterns.

The CES Innovation committee though this was a good idea too, awarding 2breathe a CES Honoree Innovation Award.

2breathe is available now for US$179, either direct from 2breathe or other major online retailers. It’s currently only available for Apple iOS devices.

Todd Cochrane is the host of the twice-weekly Geek News Central Podcast at GeekNewsCentral.com.

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Bioreline Launches VisoDerm Skin Analyzer at CES 2017

January 4, 2017ces, healthBioreline, CES 2017, VisoDermJenThorpe

People who want to improve their skin tend to reach for specialized lotions that can help with that. Others change their diet in the hopes that doing so will fix their skin problems. Bioreline (part of the French startup Neobie) has come up with a new solution. Bioreline is launching their new connected skin analyzer at CES 2017.

Bioreline’s new connected skin analyzer is called VisoDerm. It is associated with Bioreline’s organic cosmetics range. According to Bioreline, both VisoDerm and their cosmetics are based on the Vegebiotic (or vegetal science of the skin.) Co-founders of Neobie, Martine and Daniel Constant, are convinced that using all the parts of a plant guarantees a high concentration of active ingredients in their organic cosmetics, and that this is what the body needs.

VisoDerm was created and developed based upon recommendations by beauty professionals. It is compsed of an optical probe that is connected to image processing software. It delivers an objective and scientific skin diagnosis and establishes a personalized skin care treatment as well as a follow-up of the results.

The VisoDerm probe is equipped with 5 million pixels, enabling users to enlarge an image 50 times for a highly accuracte scan of the skin using 4 different lights: visible, scattered (epidermis analysis), polarized (dermis analysis), and UV (pore analysis). VisoDerm also provides an analysis of the skin focused on the following parameters: rate of hydration, sebum secretion, redness, stain, skin complexion, skin structure, pores and wrinkles.

VisoDerm can give you a printable “beauty prescription” that identifies the exclusive treatments at a Biorline Institute and the specific Biorline products that can result in visible and lasting skin improvement.

Visit Neobie at CES 2017 at booth number 50636.

2breathe Sleep Inducer Wins 2017 CES Innovation Award

November 16, 2016ces, health2breathe Technologies, CES 2017JenThorpe

2breathe Technologies is a leading pioneer of digital therapeutic devices. They have announced that their 2breathe Sleep Inducer has been selected as an Innovation Award Honoree in the CES Fitness, Sports, and Biotech product category. The product was showcased at CES Unveiled New York at the Metropolitan Pavilion.

2breathe induces sleep via guided breathing using a full-pattern Bluetooth respiration sensor and patented real-time coaching technology. Guiding tones composed from the user’s breathing prolong exhalation to reduce neural sympathetic activity and induce sleep. A detailed session report shows users the number of breaths taken, how well they followed the tones and when they fell asleep.

The underlying technology for 2breathe is based on the founders’ first product, RESPeRATE. It was invented by co-founder and CEO of 2breathe, Erez Gavish, and his father, scientist Dr. Benjamin Gavish. When 90% of RESPeRATE users reported an improvement in sleep, they decided to adopt the guided breathing technology onto a smartphone and created the 2breathe Sleep Inducer solution.

2Breathe Technologies Ltd. Will be at CES 2017 at booth #51044.

HiMirror Named CES 2017 Innovation Awards Honoree

November 16, 2016ces, healthCES 2017, HiMirrorJenThorpe

HiMirror is a consumer electronics company within New Kinpo Group, a global electronics company. HiMirror announced that it has been named a CES 2017 Innovation Awards Honoree in the Smart Home products category.

HiMirror is the world’s first personal beauty and health consultant providing a revolutionary approach to daily beauty; offering in-depth, personalized skincare analysis based on the evolving condition of a user’s skin as she or he ages. HiMirror recognizes and identifies problem areas so you can react quickly with their suggested solutions.

HiMirror provides you effective care plans based on the results of the perfect Skin Index Synthesis, a combined assessment of your Heathiness, Clarity, Firmness, Texture, and Brightness. It takes a photo of your face and provides comprehensive analysis of your skin. HiMirror points out your dark circles, pores, red spots, dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, or problems with your complexion.

HiMirror launched in the United States in October and is available for purchase through its website. The standard device retails for $189 and includes profile set-up for four users on the device. HiMirror’s companion product, the Smart Body Scale ($79) provides body and weight analysis and corresponding exercise solutions.

HiMirror will be at CES 2017 at booth #42513.

Thumbs Up for Fitbit

November 3, 2016fitness, healthcustomer service, Fitbit, fitness, HealthAndrew

All too often we hear stories of poor customer service so I want to give some props to Fitbit who replaced my Flex with no fuss or special blogger treatment. Here’s how it went down….

I’ve had a Fitbit Flex for nearly two years and it’s one of my favourites as it’s waterproof and I wear it while swimming. A couple of months ago the middle LED stopped working and last week another one seemed to stop. All other functions worked fine, so the Flex was still counting steps and syncing to my Fitbit app. In reality the fault was largely cosmetic.

Still, I decided to contact Fitbit’s customer services via email. I paraphrase each message.

Me: I’m having trouble with the LEDs on my Flex dying one by one. See photo.
Fitbit: Ok. I see that. Could you try resetting the Flex followed by a full charge.
Me: I’ve done that and yes, one of the LEDs is now working but the middle one still isn’t. See new photo.
Fitbit: Ok, I see that it’s still not working. When and where did you get the Flex?
Me: I got it in November 2014 and here are the details.
Fitbit: No problem, that’s fine. We’re going to send a replacement. What’s your address?
Me: Thanks. Here’s my address.
Fitbit: The replacement Flex is on its way.
Me: Thanks again.

And sure enough, the replacement Fitbit Flex arrived in the post yesterday. All the LEDs work fine.

Reviewing the email exchange, it really couldn’t have been sorted it out in anything less. A big thumbs up to Fitbit for sorting it out easily and painlessly.