Posts Tagged: different

Withings’ Body Scan scale can measure the composition of different parts of your body

Over five years after the release of the Body Cardio (and one flirtation with Nokia), French company Withings has released its far most technologically advanced connected scale yet, the Body Scan. The big change over the last model is the addition of a handle with four stainless steel electrodes that allows it to measure ECG, segmented body composition (fat/water in your arms, legs and torso) and even esoteric things like nerve activity. All of these features will also make it one of the most expensive scales yet when it arrives to market. 

Withings says it's the number one US smart scale manufacturer and created the Body Scan "because users are demanding more and more medical and health data and information," Withings CEO Mathieu Letombe told Engadget in French. 

Withings Body Scan scale
Withings

The new scale is certainly designed to deliver that. Though the design and high-strength tempered glass construction are similar to the previous Body Cardio, it's loaded with extra sensors that can tell you more than ever about your body. That includes four weight sensors, 14 ITO (Indium tin oxide) electrodes within the platform and four stainless steel electrodes on the new handle. The battery can now go for a year between charges compared to nine months before and it packs a larger, higher-resolution 3.2-inch LCD color display.

The handle allows safe, low-level electrical signals to pass through your entire body, not just your feet — much as you may have seen on some advanced gym scales. To start with, that enables a new 6-lead ECG that can detect heart arrhythmias via two sets of electrodes on each side of the handle and one within the base of the sale. That compares to a single lead on smartwatches, so the Body Scan can deliver more specific results "that can easily be ready by a cardiologist," said Letombe. 

An embedded algorithm can detect heart patterns associated with atrial fibrillation, showing the results on the display or Withings' Health Mate app. Those can be stored to show trends or "shared with medical professionals from the app," according to Withings. "Each time you weigh yourself, the scale can deliver that information, thanks to the new handle." 

Withings Body Scan can also record your ECG and assess nerve activity

In terms of your weight, Withings claims the Body Scan is accurate to within 0.1 pounds (50 grams) or double the previous model, but that's just the start of showing your body makeup. It uses multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to measure whole-body fat and water percentage, visceral fat, muscle and bone mass and extracellular and intracellular water. It can even provide readings for individual body parts, including your torso, arms and legs. All of that allows you to spot things used by health experts and sports professionals like dangerous localized fat or muscle imbalance, Withings said. 

Working with a French company called Impeto Medical, Withings also developed a feature to assess nerve activity. It can track sweat gland activity in the feet (sudomotor function) using a small direct current via the electrodes located in the plate. Impaired function in that regard could show signs of degeneration of small nerve fibers, something that can be corrected with regular activity and a healthy diet. 

"It's a useful function, because there are a lot of chronic health issues like obesity associated with poor nerve function," Letombe told me. "Impeto creates devices used by neurologists and others doctors that can cost upwards of 10,000 euros, and the Body Scan is a consumer product that, again, does that every time you weigh yourself." At the same time, Withings will be able to collect nerve activity data from millions of users that could be useful for medical research and patient care.

Withings' Body Scan scale has a handle that can measure fat in different parts of your body
Withings

Along with the scale, Withings is also introducing (yep) a subscription service, with the price yet to be announced. It will "allow users to connect with medical specialists for advice and consultation while providing clinical teams with data in real-time," Withings said. It'll also offer personalized health plans, videos and more covering topics like nutrition, sleep, exercise and stress management to help users with their health goals. 

With the Body Scan, Withings will be offering consumers one of the more advanced health, sports and medical home devices out there — at a price. It's expected to cost $ 300 when it arrives to the US and Europe in the second half of 2022 following FDA clearance, or $ 100 more than the Body Scan's launch price. That will include three free months of the subscription service, but it's still big chunk of change for a scale. 

A lot will depend on whether it delivers on all the promised features with reasonable accuracy and if it receives its FDA clearance in a timely manner. That's not necessarily a given, as it took Withings well over a year to get its ScanWatch cleared by the FDA after it was first released. The company also had issues with its Pulse Wave Velocity (PVW) heart health feature, and pulled it in some regions over regulatory concerns. 

Given all that, it's fairly bold on Withings' part to introduce a scale with even more advanced medical and health functionality. "We think that's how we can advance a user's health, not by asking an extra effort, but delivering more targeted information on a product they use every day," said Letombe.

Follow all of the latest news from CES 2022 right here!

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

A different kind of #YouTubeRewind: What you liked in 2019

In 2019, you joined forces to set a record for the most liked video on YouTube, helped an unlikely country star take over the charts, and brought Minecraft’s popularity to new heights. As 2020 draws near, it’s time to celebrate the moments that defined the past twelve months in pop culture.

But first, we can’t ignore the elephant in the room: Last year’s YouTube Rewind, um, wasn’t your favorite (to put it lightly…). So this year, we tried something different and looked at what you did like — a lot. Our Rewind 2019 video compiles the top videos and creators that you liked and watched the most around the world, from the biggest games to must-watch beauty palettes and breakout stars.

But of course, it’s also time to announce our annual lists of top trending videos and top music videos.

2019 saw creators transform into mainstream celebrities with genre-defying influence: James Charles and Tati’s back-and-forth transcended the beauty community; Shane Dawson continued to find success with his longform docuseries format and foray into the makeup world; and MrBeast’s ultra-charitable challenge videos united viewers across the internet.

Also on this year’s top trending list: A long-requested episode of Hot Ones, a meme-making moment from Soulja Boy, a conversation-starting short film, SNL’s most-watched sketch of 2019, an underdog victory in the ring, and an informational video on why spiders and bees are actually our friends.

Collectively, these 10 videos were watched 305 million times and for around 50 million hours. The channels behind them total more than 110 million subscribers.

Top Trending Videos in the U.S.

  1. James Charles – No More Lies
  2. First We Feast – Gordon Ramsay Savagely Critiques Spicy Wings | Hot Ones
  3. shane – Investigating Conspiracies with Shane Dawson
  4. MrBeast – I Bought Everything In A Store – Challenge
  5. Gillette – We Believe: The Best Men Can Be | Gillette (Short Film)
  6. DAZN USA – HIGHLIGHTS | Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr.
  7. jeffreestar – Kylie Skin Review with Shane Dawson
  8. Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM – Soulja Boy Drags Tyga, Drake, Kanye West & Reclaims The Best Comeback Of 2018
  9. Saturday Night Live – R. Kelly Interview Cold Open – SNL
  10. TheOdd1sOut – The Spiders and the Bees

In music, Lil Nas X emerged from obscurity to take the top spot, and powerhouse female artists (Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish) continued to transform the sound of pop.

Top Music Videos in the U.S.

  1. Lil Nas X – Old Town Road (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus) [Remix]
  2. Dababy – Suge (Yea Yea) Official Music Video
  3. Yo Gotti ft. Lil Baby – Put a Date On It (Official Video)
  4. Polo G Feat. Lil Tjay – Pop Out ?By. Ryan Lynch Prod. By JDONTHATRACK & Iceberg
  5. Lil Nas X – Old Town Road (Official Movie) ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
  6. Offset – Clout ft. Cardi B (Official Video)
  7. Billie Eilish – bad guy
  8. 21 Savage – a lot ft. J. Cole
  9. Ariana Grande – 7 rings
  10. Daddy Yankee & Snow – Con Calma (Official Video)

For a deeper look at the year on YouTube and to see the top videos and trends in many other countries, head to this year’s Rewind site.

Posted by Kevin Allocca, Head of Culture & Trends


YouTube Blog

Kik Messenger will keep running under a different owner

Kik Interactive may have chosen to focus on cryptocurrency, but its messaging app will apparently live on. In a new post on Kik's blog, MediaLab has revealed that it has acquired Kik Messenger from its creators and will continue developing the app. M…
Engadget RSS Feed

Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass will be totally different stores

Google and Apple have just begun a public experiment. One that affects the daily lives of millions of people; specifically, anyone who plays mobile games. Apple launched Arcade on September 19th, charging $ 5 a month for unlimited access to more than…
Engadget RSS Feed

The iGotchta app transcribes and translates voicemails into 11 different languages

Japan-based company Sourcenext’s new product, iGotcha, automatically transcribes and translates incoming voicemail messages into 11 different languages. It’s available for Android and iOS.

The post The iGotchta app transcribes and translates voicemails into 11 different languages appeared first on Digital Trends.

Mobile–Digital Trends

Samsung Gear A watch: There may be 3 different models

Samsung may introduce its first round smartwatch soon. The device may sport a rotating bezel, a crown-shaped power button, and 3G connectivity. Here’s everything we think we know about it so far.

The post Samsung Gear A watch: There may be 3 different models appeared first on Digital Trends.

Wearables»Digital Trends