More and more devices are incorporating Internet connectivity. Adding this connection provides new features to conventional devices. Withings has taken the simple scale and turned it into a tool for helping maintains ones ideal weight.
The Wi-Fi Body Scale provides personalized data that can be accessed from your smartphone, tablet or web browser at a moment’s notice. Withings offers free iOS apps for the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad or Android app to review this data. Unlike most standard scales the Wi-Fi Body Scale measures one’s weight along with lean and fat mass. In addition the Wi-Fi Body Scale reveals BMI (Body Mass Index), which is a measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adult men and women.
Whole families can use the Wi-Fi Body Scale as the included dashboard allows up to eight profiles. For those who are into sharing every aspect of your life with the social media universe, Withings has built in hooks for Facebook, Twitter and more.
Keeping track of one’s progress is a simple as having weekly email reports sent out. Withings partners with a host of other fitness services to help create and maintain a sports program or health regimen.
The Wi-Fi Body Scale comes packaged in a white cardboard box with an image of the scale in the center and the iOS app running on the iPad and iPhone on the top right. Some features are listed on the lower section of this cover. The back lists additional features and technical specs in several different languages.
Inside the package we find the Wi-Fi Body Scale covered by a protective baggy and an adhesive shield along with a USB 2.0 cable, four carpet feet, four AAA batteries, tape measure and installation guide.
The Wi-Fi Body Scale is a beautiful looking scale with a piano black-mirrored glass slab surface. The scale is extremely flat at 0.9 inches and measures12.6 x 12.6 inches. The scale weighs 5.1 lbs or 2.4 kg for those metrically inclined. This scale comes in black and white versions; for today’s review we will look at the black model.
Two black lines intersect at right angles dividing the scale into four quadrants. In the center is a silver disc. Found towards the top of the Wi-Fi Body Scale is the display screen. The Withings name is imprinted on the lower half of the scale. Invisible electrodes cover the surface of the scale; these help determine the user’s fat and lean mass.
One drawback to this mirrored glass slab surface is that it gets dirty very quickly.
Flipping the Wi-Fi Body Scale over we see a silver and white surface reminiscent of the Apple design aesthetic. On each corner are four feet, which are pressure sensitive to help weigh the user. In the center is the battery door compartment along with a silver button.
Opening the battery door reveals four AAA battery bays, a switch for measuring weight in pounds or kilograms and a mini-USB port for initial set up of the Wi-Fi Body Scale.
Specifications:
A new way to keep trim
It graphs your weight, BMI, lean and fat mass so you can access it from your smartphone or web browser at any time.
An included free service links your scale to the internet
The web dashboard is the extension of your WiFi scale. From any web browser, or from the free iPhone application supplied by Withings, you can log on and see a rich, relevant view of all of your weight data collected by your scale, with no time limitation and in total confidentiality.
Each time you weigh yourself
Everyday the WiFi scale measures your lean and fat mass automatically. This allows you to concentrate on the origins of your weight variations.
The web dashboard offers a rich graphical interface with easy browsing over time and allows you to zoom in on the date ranges of your choice. You therefore take pleasure in observing the evolution of your fitness in a simple, intuitive environment.
Precise, personalized data
The WiFi scale is extremely accurate. It is normal that the web dashboard takes into account this precision and reliably reproduces your data.
Click on the label of a weigh-in to accurately see your weight, your fat mass, and your lean mass. Then the screen displays your body mass index (BMI) and situates your data in relation to the healthy reference ranges set to your profile.
For the whole family
The WiFi scale is for the entire family, and the dashboard lets you manage up to 8 users.
You can monitor your children’s growth directly in your interface so you can keep an eye on their health over time.
Stay motivated
Monitor changes in your weight with graphs automatically generated by the Withings scale and avoid getting discouraged.
Share your progress with friends on your blog, Facebook or Twitter. Let your friends cheer you on!
Set your goals and get a weekly progress report by email.
Assess your efforts
Body composition model
The Withings scale can measure your muscle mass and fat mass so you can see the real impact of your efforts.
A balanced diet
Evaluate your diet with Withings’ nutrition partners and consult your results.
Sports program
Create your own sports programme with any of the many Withings partners and monitor its effectiveness. Discover a range of compatible services
A high-tech tool
Multiple users
Your entire family can use the Withings body scale. It can automatically recognise different users.
Mobile
Consult your graphs on your iPhone with WiScale, the free Withings app.
Instant results
Your weight is measured immediately. No need to calibrate or turn on the Withings scale.
A healthcare partner
For your specialists
Your coach or nutritionist can monitor your progress directly on their computers.
For your medical records
Add your measurements directly to your medical records online.
For your doctor
Generate and print graphs showing your growth, weight, height and BMI for your medical records.
Specifications:
Data collection
Instant weigh-in by getting on the scale
Automatically turns on and off
Weight
Display units : kg, lb, stlb
Graduation 0.1 kg (0.2 lbs) – 4 sensors
Maximum 180 kg (396 lbs)
Display
Big graphical screen (2.4" x 1.6")
White, high-contrast lighting
Body analysis
ITO Invisible electrodes
Fat mass
Lean mass
Body mass index (BMI)
Personalized multi-user monitoring
Automatic user recognition
Comparison to reference values dictated by doctors
Online connection
Private website secured by password
Monitoring weight fluctuations and fat mass graph
Comparison to reference values dictated by doctors
Ability to set objectives
Web browser supported: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari¹
Dimensions
Extra flat scale 0.9 inches
Glass slab 12.6 x 12.6 inches
Weight 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs)
Power
(4) 1.5V batteries (AAA)
Connectivity
Wireless 802.11b/g
Very low power consumption
WEP/WPA/WPA2-personal security
Data sharing
Data can be set to private or shared with the other users of the scale
Ability to make your graphs accessible on a webpage
Ability to automatically publish your weight on Twitter
Content of boxed set
Withings WiFi scale
USB 2.0 cable
(4) 1.5V batteries (AAA)
4 carpet feet
Installation guide
Start by inserting the four AAA batteries into the bottom of the scale and then going to http://start.withings.com to set up the Wi-Fi Body Scale. From this website you will need to create a Withings account and a user profile. Once this is accomplished the Installation software can be downloaded which configures the scale for Internet access.
To use the software you will need to plug the Wi-Fi Body Scale into your PC or Mac with the USB connector attached to the scale and to your computer. Your local Wi-Fi networks will be listed and you will need to enter the appropriate network password.
Now you are ready to use the Wi-Fi body scale. Place the Wi-Fi body scale on a regular floor or a non-plush carpet. When using the scale on a carpet you will need to install the included feet to partially elevate the device. Since the scale measures electrical resistance it is best to weigh yourself in bare feet. A typical measurement takes about 10 seconds as the weight is initially measured followed by body fat and then BMI.
This data is then wirelessly submitted to the Withings website for recording. The user can view this data through popular browsers including Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer and Chrome. The Withing’s website also works with their blood pressure monitor which can be purchased separately; thus providing a larger
For those using iOS or Android devices a free app is available which provides much of the same information. global view of the user’s health. To get started simply enter your username and password when the app starts.
Here are some shots of the various capabilities of the web and iOS apps.
The maximum weight limit for the Wi-Fi Body Scale is slightly less than 400 pounds. Since the scale uses a tiny current to measure fat mass one type of user who should avoid the Withing’s scale are those with cardiac pacemakers.
All of the data is password protected and the user can decide whether to share it via Twitter or Facebook. Additional scale users can share the scale and have their own personal accounts linked to it.
An included tape measure allows monitoring the growth of the entire family.
The provided batteries will supposedly last from 6 to 12 months depending on how often the scale is used. According to Withing’s the scale only connects wirelessly to the Internet after a weighing has been performed.
Conclusion:
Weighing yourself can seem pretty mundane when using a regular scale but thanks to the interactivity of the Wi-Fi Body Scale and its bundle software now this information can be used to motivate and track your health. Withing’s has turned the everyday scale into a powerful tool for maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
What may scare off some potential buyers of the Wi-Fi Body Scale may be the price. This is the one of the most expensive scales you will come across but its potential uses make it a worthwhile investment.
By using a slick interface the scale tracks the users weight, BMI, lean and fat mass. This data can then be forwarded to healthcare providers, trainers or out into cyberspace via social media. The Wi-Fi Body Scale allows up to eight users and can automatically recognize them based on their user data.
In addition the Withing’s website can interoperate with numerous other health services making the MyWithings page an information hub for your health. Whether you are an athlete, health conscious or serious about weight loss, the Wi-Fi Body Scale is a great way to achieve those goals.
Pros:
+Beautiful design
+Wireless
+Internet connectivity
+Free iOS apps
Cons:
-Mirror surface gets dirty quickly
-Expensive
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