Basis launches long-awaited wrist-worn health tracker

30 November 2012 - 16:16 By APF Relaxnews
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Image: ©Basis

Makers of the Basis health tracking wristband finally launched their long-awaited product on Thursday, almost a year after it caused a stir at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, an international gadget fest.

The concept of Basis is to track your activity and sleep while delivering data-focused insights about your lifestyle to help you develop better habits, from getting enough rest to taking the stairs rather than the elevator.

While Basis faces plenty of stiff competition from devices like Fitbit One and the newly re-launched UP, the device contains features the others don't: a built-in accelerometer to track movement, an optical blood-flow monitor for heart rate tracking, a perspiration sensor to measure exertion, and skin and ambient temperature sensors.

Basis of course also measures sleep habits like Fitbit One and UP, but the difference is that you don't have to manually press a button at bedtime since the accelerometer can sense when you're sleeping.

The device is available for pre-order for $199, and the company says it will ship in a few weeks. As of now, Basis is only available in the US, but the company says it plans to roll out the device in other countries soon.

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