The Withings Wi-Fi scale is a fascinating step forward in the use of Wi-Fi to share information for the consumer's benefit.
I purchased my scale from the Withings web site but it was shipped from their U.S. Amazon store. It appears to be one of the first scales to ship within the US as I received it in early October 2009.
After the scale is configured for your Wi-Fi network, and the account on the server is set up, the process of weighing goes like this: Step on the scale. The scale will fluctuate for a moment while adjusting to your weight. After a few moments, the scale should accept a weight, and then display a bar moving across the display from left to right as the data is uploaded to the server. When the bar display is complete, the scale then displays your Body Fat % and then displays your BMI. If the scale has a problem thinking that the person on the scale is not centered, there will appear an arrow in one of the corners where it believes there is too much weight and it would like you to adjust your weight away from that corner.
The scale is a pretty straightforward device and will not require any in-depth learning but some users might desire a user's manual as there is none beyond the slip of paper that instructs you how to insert the batteries. A pdf document that a user could download would be a great addition for those that would like to better understand what the capabilities are for the device and how they can make best use of the product. After all, this scale is not a cheap scale and most users who purchase it will be technically minded with curious wonderings beyond what is obvious. Withings does have an online forum for ongoing discussion and if you have a question, visiting the forums helps as there are always other users who are experiencing the same issues or have found an answer for something you may come up against.
The scale has the ability to recognize more than one user. There is an algorithm that the server uses to determine which user is on the scale as it expects each user to have a significantly different weight and/or body fat % composition than other users. If it can not detect which user is on the scale from 2 different users, the scale will show an arrow so that by adjusting the users balance on the scale, the user can indicate which user they are. If there are 3 or more users using the scale, this process will not work and the users must each 'claim' or 'refuse' the weight on the web site for their tracking. Unfortunately, having a single user claim that weight will not remove it from the other user's records and each other user must also remove the 'unknown user' weight.
Because I have an iPhone, I was intrigued by how I (or others that I allow) could watch my weight change and body fat changes over time. It is impressive how quickly the iPhone receives the weighing data and Withings has been smart to use a badge on the WiScale application to notify the user that new data has been received. I have not noticed any Alerts yet on the iPhone but they are aware of that capability given that the preference exists within the iPhone settings.
For the techies that like to take things to the next level, there is a capability to download a CSV delimited file containing your weighing history. The file is perfectly formatted to slide right into your Excel program.
There are a couple of things that I expect to see happen as Withings moves to version 2 of their software. Currently, there is no ability to upload data to the server so as to benefit from having historical data that you have accumulated prior to your Withings scale purchase. Manually entering historical data is limited in that the server does not accept data with the precision similar to what the scale records. Withings says that this will be fixed in a future update.
A feature that is missing is the ability to indicate that the user is an athlete and that the Body Fat should be analyzed with that significant difference in mind. Many users who choose a scale such as this might well be expecting this recognition by the software.
The Basal Metabolic Rate would also be a nice feature that may be included at a later time but is not currently calculated or shown.
Withings Scale Pros:
Attractive
Capable of ongoing improvements in features through firmware updates
iPhone application for ease of sharing your success
Capable of multiple users being tracked
Can be set for metric (kg) or imperial (lbs)
Very responsive to customer feedback
Withings Scale Cons:
Accuracy is limited to your typical home use scale.
Not the cheapest product that does this kind of analysis but one of the more innovative.
Executive bottom line: The scale has some fun potential but it should be recognized that technology does not necessarily bring about increased accuracy. I've rated this scale with 5 stars because it is what it appears to be, the design is beautiful and the scale uses technology in innovative ways. The scale has potential for becoming an an awesome product as Withings has the capability to enhance its current capabilities easily. Let's hope they continue to give us even more as time go on.
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Withings Wifi Body ScaleProduct Description: Monitor your body weight like never before with the Withings WiFi Body Scale, a digital wireless body fat monitor. This bathroom scale uses a WiFi connection to store weight, BMI, and body fat data online or on your iPhone. With the Withings WiFi Body Scale, you can track your progress and motivate yourself to maintain a healthy weight.
The WiFi Body Scale
At a Glance
Records weight, fat mass, lean muscle mass, and BMIMonitors your data on a private, password-secured website
Free iPhone application increases data access
Accurate graduation of 0.2 pounds; maximum weight of 396 pounds
Multi-user monitoring allows up to eight users
The Withings WiFi Body Scale makes it easy for you to log on from any Web browser and access your data. View larger.The scale automatically recognizes up to eight different users, so your entire family can use it. View larger.Access Your Health Data Online or with Your iPhoneThe Withings WiFi Body Scale is packed with technology, yet it's simple to use. You can monitor the long term evolution of your weight directly on a secured web dashboard. From any web browser, you can log on and see a rich, relevant view of all your weight data collected by the scale, with no time limitation and in total confidentiality. Withings has also developed an iPhone application, WiScale, available for free at the iTunes App Store. This app puts your very own fitness coach right in your pocket, which means you can consult it whenever and wherever you like.
Stylish, Accurate Healthcare ToolPowered by four 1.5-volt AAA alkaline batteries (included), this high-tech scale's black-and-steel design makes it an attractive addition to any décor. And this scale is just as accurate as it is good looking--it features four sensors and measures in graduations of 0.2 pounds, accepting a maximum weight of 396 pounds. The Withings scale can measure precisely your muscle mass and fat mass so you can see the real impact of your efforts. The accuracy of its measurements makes it the ideal tool to monitor your health and fitness.
Scale Offers Creative Ways to Keep FitTake advantage of the Withings scale's many options to help you stay healthy. Set your goals and get a weekly progress report by email. Share your progress with friends on your blog, Facebook account, or Twitter account (only if you want to). You can even generate and print graphs showing your growth, weight, height, and BMI for your medical records. If you work with coaches or nutritionists, they can monitor your progress directly on their computers as well.
The scale automatically recognizes up to eight different users, so your entire family can use it. Go beyond just the basics to evaluate your family's diet with Withings' nutrition partners and consult your results or create your own sports program with any of the many Withings partners.
What's in the BoxWithings WiFi scale, four 1.5-volt AAA alkaline batteries, four carpet feet, tape measure, and installation guide.
Specifications Online Connection Private website secured by password Monitoring weight fluctuations and
fat mass graph Comparison to reference values dictated by doctors
Ability to set objectives
Body Analysis ITO Invisible electrodes Fat mass Lean mass Body mass index (BMI)
Connectivity WiFi 802.11 b/g Very low power consumption WEP/WPA/WPA2-personal security
Data Collection Instant weigh-in by getting on the scale Automatically turns
on and off
Data
Sharing Data can be set to private or shared with the other users of the scale Ability to upload information to a select number of third party websites
Display Big graphical screen (2.4" x 1.6") White, high-contrast lighting
What the Press is Saying About the Withing Scale NYTimes.com"By amassing a continual flow of data, you'll be able to monitor your progress in maintaining, or achieving, a healthy life style."
USA Today"The Wi-Fi body scale from Withings can keep dieters connected"
CBS, The Doctors"Pediatrician Dr. Jim Sears recommends the Withings WiFi Body Scale, which Tweets your weight when you step on it!"
MSN Tech & Gadgets"Its dark metallic case and digital display make it look more like a distant cousin to the new Apple iPad than an object that should sit prominently on the floor beside the toilet."
Engadget"More often the object of dread than fascination, the humblebathroom scale has been given a makeover by Withings . . ."
Buy cheap Withings Wifi Body Scale now
The Health-o-meter HDM753DQN-95 runs on 2 AA batteries (not 4 as described by Amazon). It must be turned on by tapping the right front corner of the scale, which is also used to select a user number (1 - 4) and to reset the tracking history. The user then waits for the scale to set to zero and for the instruction to step on the scale. It takes several seconds for the scale to stabilize on a weight. Any movement by the user during this period result in an error display (E).
