Glooko has released an Android version of its diabetes management system that connects your glucose meter to your smartphone for managing blood sugar data. The system has been available for Apple iOS devices for a while and now finally makes the step to the Android ecosystem. Glooko for Android has received FDA clearance and is compatible with 24 glucose meters and 16 Android devices, with more to be added over time. The app is free to download from the Google Play store, while the cable costs $39, just like its iOS counterpart.
The MeterSync Cable connects to the audio jack of the phone and to the same port on the glucose meter. An optionally available USB on-the-go cable provides support for meters with a micro-USB connector. After connecting the cable you can download blood glucose readings onto your Android device, and from there you can view glucose readings from one or multiple meters in one chronological logbook. Data can be annotated with lifestyle context notes (food intake, medication use, exercises and other health events), and shared with healthcare providers or be viewed online.
According to MobiHealthNews, who spoke to Glooko CEO Rick Altinger, the company’s long-term plan is to lose the cable entirely in favor of wirelessly connecting meters to smartphones via Bluetooth LE, but the third-party meters themselves aren’t ready for that functionality yet. In the meantime, Glooko is working on a device that plugs into a meter but then connects wirelessly to a smartphone (similar to the ditto Glucose Data System we recently reported on). The company hopes to release this product in the spring of next year.
Here’s an instructional video showing all the steps to using the Glooko on Android:
Flashbacks: Glooko FDA Cleared to Market Its Diabetes Management Products; Glooko’s New Diabetes Management System FDA Cleared; Glooko’s 2nd Version of Diabetes Management System Released
Announcement on Glooko’s Blog: Glooko for Android – 4 Facts for Getting Started!
Product page: Glooko…