LifeWatch AG (Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland) has presented the LifeWatch V, a feature-packed healthcare smartphone for patients and health conscious consumers. At its core, the LifeWatch V is a pretty standard Android-based phone. However, what sets it apart is the presence of a plethora of medical sensors powering seven health tests, combined with wellness-related applications and cloud-based services. The health tests are operated by placing a finger on one of the sensors, allowing users to measure, track and analyze their medical measurements, take corrective action, plan meals, activities and more.
The tests include one-lead ECG, body temperature, blood glucose, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, body fat percentage and stress levels as expressed by heart rate variability. Each medical test is presented as an application and, in addition, there are diet applications and programmable reminders for medications. All collected data is automatically and securely saved to a remote server and can be retrieved from the cloud for follow-up anytime, anywhere. Results and historical data can be shared with doctors, family or others on the user’s request through e-mail or text message.
All-in-all, we think the LifeWatch V looks like a very promising device that is definitely one to watch out for. Until the LifeWatch V most of the included tests required the use of often expensive and bulky dedicated devices. Even if you only need a blood glucose meter, this phone already gives you the advantage of not having to carry around a second device while being always connected. For the tech-junkies in us, one disappointment is that the phone is only running the now antiquated Android version 2.3, but other than that it features most essential smartphone functions. There is no information on pricing or availability yet, but LifeWatch intends to launch the healthcare solution smartphone world-wide in collaboration with local partners.
Press release with more on the phone’s specs: LifeWatch V: State-of-the-Art Smartphone with Healthcare Capabilities Empowering Patients and Consumers…
Product page: LifeWatch V…