The Jawbone Up3 is the latest in a line of health gadgets that monitor your sleep health. The Up3 collects data related to your quality of sleep using an innovative wristband technology.
The Up3 measures your heart rate using metal-covered sensors that press against the skin. This is in contrast to rival, battery-intensive approaches that combine infrared and visible-light LEDs with photosensors.
While other smartwatch providers have plans to monitor and report similar health statistics, the Jawbone Up3 is unique in its delivery and aimed solely at those concerned that they aren't getting a healthly night's sleep.
Using a technique called bioimpedance to track the wearer's pulse, the wristband passes an imperceptible electrical current through the body to measure its resistance to the effect.
This same process is already used by a number of specialist medical devices to measure heart rate, body fat, fluid levels and other body composition readings. It also features in a few consumer devices such as Fitbit's Aria weight scales.
“Because bioimpedance requires significantly less power compared to optical sensors for the same level of accuracy, we can deliver a smaller form factor and longer battery life” ~ Jawbone.
How The Jawbone Up3 Analyses Your Sleep
The Up3 is designed to measure the wearer's heart rate while they are resting and just after they wake up, and the company has plans to extend their use with a software update to other times of the day.
The Up3 continuously records a user's pulse when they are asleep, showing when they shifted between the REM (rapid eye movement) stage – when the heart rate is usually fairly irregular – and deep sleep, when the heart rate is usually steadier. This technique provides more accurate readings than other devices that rely on accelerometer sensors to track changes via body movements.
The Up3 is also able to measure user responses to sleep hygiene suggestions, including routine actions like late-night showers and cooling the bedroom. This in turn will determine the actions most likely to help you get a better night's sleep.
User's can make sense of the data recorded by the band using the bundled SmartCoach software (as seen in the picture below).
How Much Does The Up3 Cost?
The only potential downside is that it lacks an LED display, relying on a connected smartphone, tablet or PC to analyse data and provide user feedback.
There are already a fair few health apps and wearable devices on the market, and while one might be inclined to buy a smartwatch that “does it all”, the Up3 is dedicated to tracking sleep health and monitoring associated body data.
Moreover, you almost invariably have to take a smartwatch off to charge at night, but the Up3 gives you 7-days wear on the trot. It is also smaller and lighter, and therefore more comfortable to wear through the night.
The Up3 is a great tool for those wanting accurate data on their quality of sleep, and will be of great appeal to those already who want to solve poor sleeping habits.
