And while the new heart rate-tracking Steel HR makes some aesthetic compromises to gain smartwatch functionality, it’s still one of the most attractive wearables you can buy. At least on paper. It’s basically a classic wristwatch – stainless steel body, chrome hands, silicone strap – but with a boatload of health-enhancing tech built in: LED-based heart rate monitor, step counter, distance tracking and calorie counter.
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How does that all come together? Steel HR can automatically measure continuous heart rate during workouts, average heart rate during the day, and resting heart rate while sleeping, while also offering a dynamic digital screen that displays your overall health data and smartphone notifications.
In addition, Steel HR will be available in two sizes: 36mm and 40mm.
Withings will begin selling the Withings Steel HR at the end of October. “With the wealth of insights it provides and the extended battery life for a health watch of its type, Steel HR truly is the first of its kind”. Of course, how well it tracks heart rate is also important, and we don’t know that yet. This low-power mode gives you an additional 20 days of battery life: you lose heart-rate tracking, but you’ll still be able to keep a tab on basic activity, including steps and swims.
And as opposed to the earlier Steel, the Steel HR will run on a rechargeable battery that’s expected to last up to 25 days between charges, instead of a coin cell battery used in the previous model which lasted about eight months.
When you’re working out, you can hit the button on the watch to launch a continuous heart rate session. The idea of cramming in a digital screen alongside an analog watch face isn’t a new one, although Withings’ version is significantly more elegant than Guess’ version.
The wearable works with Withings’ existing Health Mate iOS/Android app. That goal can be set through the Withings Health Mate application, which is available on both Android and iOS. Acting as a powerful resource to manage many aspects of everyday health, Health Mate provides detailed information about activity including heart rate summaries, a daily timeline, personalized advice, and advanced food logging capabilities.
Withings Health Mate app is back again, fully compatible with the Steel HR.
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You’ll also be able to share your data, and even challenge your mates through in-app leaderboards and good old social media.
