As is now tradition, MobiHealthNews is heading to the big Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas for the Digital Health Summit on Friday. I'll be moderating the mobile health focused session, which includes representatives from WellDoc, AT&T, GreatCall and Epstein Becker. All week mobile health and connected fitness news announcements have trickled out ahead of the big event.
Expect much more coverage on consumer health news from CES later this week.
Here's a quick roundup of some of the new devices, apps and services set to be on exhibit on the CES show floor:
Lifecomm mPERS
Lifecomm, a joint venture between Hughes Telematics, Qualcomm and American Medical Alert, will unveil its vision for the next generation Mobile Personal Emergency Response System (MPERS). The stylish, technologically advanced device is expected to be commercially available by the end of 2011. “The Lifecomm device will incorporate automatic fall detection capability, so caregivers and family members are quickly notified even if the user is unable to call for help. The enhanced feature set of the Lifecomm system will enhance the lives of our traditional PERS users both inside and outside the home.” The Lifecomm mPERS device has three configurations: A wristwatch, pendant or belt clip as shown above.
Motion's new tablet
Motion, which develops tablet PCs and supporting mobility solutions for particular vertical markets (especially healthcare), announced plans to unveil its first small form factor, rugged tablet PC designed for productivity and business integration. The new tablet is called the Motion CL900 and the company plans to sell if for less than $1,000.
Telcare 3GM Blood Glucose Meter
Qualcomm announced that it would provide the cellular connectivity for Telcare's 3GM blood glucose meter. Telcare will use Qualcomm's wireless Internet of Everything Module (IEM). The device is currently in prototype phase, but it is designed to transfer blood glucose readings to a patient's family members or physician following each test. Unlike many of the other connected blood glucose meters on the market, Telcare's will not have to be paired with a mobile phone for its connectivity.
Alivecor iPhone ECG
Perhaps more than any other health-related device set to be demonstrated at CES this week, AliveCor has generated the most buzz. The Seattle-based company, which is headed by inventor and longtime mobile health pioneer Dr. David Albert, will demo a case for the iPhone 4 called the iPhone ECG that pairs with an app to create what Albert describes as a clinical quality ECG instrument. Rumor has it the case will retail for about $100. It is not yet FDA-approved.
iHealth Blood Pressure Monitoring System for iPhone
iHealth Lab, which announced the iHealth Blood Pressure Monitoring System for iPhone today, expects to have the blood pressure arm cuff and iPhone docking station peripheral on Apple Store shelves in the coming weeks. iHealth’s offering includes a battery-powered hardware dock, blood pressure arm cuff and a corresponding app. iHealth enables users to self-monitor their blood pressure at home and share the results with friends, family or care providers. The system works with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Withings Blood Pressure Monitor, Withings Baby Monitor
Withings, which developed the WiFi-connected weight scales WiScale, has announced two new products: a blood pressure monitor and a baby monitor that both connect to Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Each device will feed collected data into their own respective apps. The Withings Blood Pressure Monitor helps users test, track, graph and share their blood pressure information with family, friends and physicians. The device will begin shipping at the end of January.
Ideal Life Health Tablet
While it doesn't yet have an image of the device (image above is for its blood pressure monitor), telehealth company Ideal Life plans to introduce its IDEAL LIFE Health Tablet at CES this week. Jason Goldberg, founder and president of IDEAL LIFE: “By being the first tablet that automatically synchronizes with data systems used by providers, patient or caregivers, it gives unprecedented, easy and affordable connectivity for sharing important health information. Most exciting is the ability to directly connect with coaches and providers in the comfort of your home through our secure video communication link on the IDEAL LIFE Health Tablet itself.” Surprised the company didn't opt to use a consumer tablet already on the market like Apple's iPad or Samsung's Galaxy Tab.
BodyMedia FIT Armband
BodyMedia, which develops connected fitness devices and mobile applications, has inked a deal with mobile operator Sprint to embed 3G cellular connectivity into its BodyMedia FIT Armband. BodyMedia already offers a number of devices that help users track calorie burn, activity levels and sleep, but those devices transmit data to users’ nearby phones via Bluetooth. The new deal with Sprint enables BodyMedia’s devices to continuously transmit the collected fitness data to the user’s mobile phone no matter where it is.
UnitedHealth's OpumizeMe Walking Challenge at CES
Health insurance provider UnitedHealth is setting up a fitness challenge at CES for attendees called the OptumizeMe Walking Challenge. (The screengrab above is from UnitedHealth's recently released OptumizeMe Windows Phone 7 app.) United notes that "discovering all of the great new products at the world’s largest consumer electronics show requires a lot of walking, and UnitedHealth Group is giving attendees a chance to be rewarded for all that activity." The first 750 CES attendees to stop by UnitedHealth's booth will receive pedometers. Whichever user logs the most steps taken over the course of the two days (January 7 and 8) will receive a brand new iPad 16GB.
Consumer Cellular's planned glucose app
Consumer Cellular, a low-cost mobile phone service provider that caters to the senior market, plans to announce "several new lifestyle solutions to empower customers to lead independent, active lives," which will include an application for mobile glucose monitoring for diabetics and GPS tracking for senior safety.
