We were quite pleased today to find two articles (links here and here) comprising a full page in the New York Times that highlight technologies (for gift giving) related to health. The articles highlight items such as the Fitbit and Withings scale shown above (and available through our online store) in addition to sensors and trackers such as the Zeo, Jawbone UP, and Nike +. Why does this excite us? Because this is what the future of health will look like.
One thing that each of these gadgets has is common is the passive collection of (your) data. When you wear or carry these devices with you, they automatically collect data about your activity, your sleep, and your weight (for the Withings scale). Moreover, these devices then easily send that data online, in some cases over a wireless network. So, besides being super cool, why is this important?
First, data collection is critically important. Why? Well, in order to really know what is going on, we need hard, objective data. Try to remember everything you did last month or even last week. What did your diet look like, how did you sleep, how much and what kind of movement did you engage in? You might have an idea, but you probably don’t have many hard numbers to back that idea up, unless you have been spending a lot of time logging all of that information. Without that information, we cannot understand the relationships between the behaviors and how those behaviors help or hurt our chances of achieving our goals. Without that information, we cannot tell if we are improving or getting worse. The data doesn’t lie - and we need that data.
Second, passive data collection is the way of the future because it makes everything much easier. I don’t need to log or record my workouts or weight anymore. With a Fitbit and Withings scale, I simply step within my wifi network and all of my data is downloaded automatically. After integrating these devices with the Dan’s Plan website, I can then easily evaluate and analyze what I have been doing and what I should be doing better without ever recording a single data point by hand. Is that incredible or what? I love things that save me time and effort. Take that, George Jetson.
So, we love that the NYT is highlighting these sensors and trackers on their list of great holiday gifts. Whether you’re thinking about purchasing one or more of these gadgets for yourself or for a loved one, please don’t delay. These will not only make for very cool gifts, but they also represent future investments in your health and the health of your loved ones.