One of the biggest challenges for the wearables industry is the relatively low adoption rate by the mass market. Withings is betting that price is a significant barrier and its reduction could lead to wider adoption beyond the Quantified Selfers. It’s gambling on that premise with a the launch of a $150 smartwatch called Activité Pop at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, according to a company statement.
As TechCrunch points out, it’s considerably cheaper than its $450 Activité watch because it lacks luxury components like a leather strap and isn’t Swiss made.
The smartwatch doubles as a fitness tracker. A goal and activity like walking, running or swimming is recognized by the device and it has a second hand that shows the user progress made towards their goal. The watch vibrates once the goal is achieved. At night, the watch monitors sleep quality and uses a vibration alarm. It also syncs with a companion app, Health Mate, to help users visualize their data. It doesn’t require the headache of charging because a battery powers it for eight months.
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A smartwatch with a more budget conscious pricetag seems like just the kind of thing the healthcare industry would welcome — a passive device that’s accessible enough for mass market users to monitor their health. Gartner in particular envisions that gyms, insurance companies, weight loss clinics and employers will some day offer wearables at subsidized rates to encourage their use.
