ULP Bluetooth weight scale lets user smartphones track weight and BMI

ULP (Ultra low power) RF specialist Nordic Semiconductor ASA announces that the world's most prolific Bluetooth low energy health and fitness product developer - Wahoo Fitness - has launched a Bluetooth low energy, Smart weight scale, the $99 Wahoo Balance Smartphone Scale, which employs a Nordic μBlue nRF8001 Connectivity chip to wirelessly connect to any Bluetooth v4.0 enabled smartphone or device. This includes Bluetooth v4.0 enabled iOS devices, as the iPhone 4S/5, 3rd/4th generation iPad, iPad mini, and 5th generation iPod touch running either the free Wahoo Fitness app or any one of what will be a continually growing list of compatible leading weight tracking apps. At launch supported apps will include TargetWeight for Adults, Target Weight Pro, iBody, TactioHealth, Wahoo Fitness Scale App (free), and Monitor Your Weight (including iPad HD variant). Other apps in the near future include Lose It!, and Calorie Counter by MyNetDiary. Wahoo also plans to roll out an Android app for Bluetooth v4.0 enabled Android smartphones and devices. In operation, the Wahoo Balance functions like a regular weight and BMI scale and supports up to 16 individual user profiles. Weight and BMI data measured by the scale is stored in memory (for up to three months) until each user activates their favorite weight app on their smartphone. If the device is within range (indicated by a light on the scale's LCD display to let the user know it is successfully connected to the app) all their recorded weight data is then imported automatically via Bluetooth low energy wireless technology. The use of an ultra-low power Nordic μBlue nRF8001 chip also enables the Wahoo Balance to operate for up to 12 months from a pair of regular AAA batteries under typical (daily) usage conditions. "Weight tracking apps are extremely popular," comments Molly Andruszkiewicz, director of marketing at Wahoo Fitness, "but until now they've relied on the end user to manually measure their weight [and BMI] and inputting that data into them, which is inconvenient and prone to inconsistencies. This weight scale changes all this by completely automating the weight measurement logging process in a way that could not be more reliable, easy, and effortless for the end user." "Weight scales could be a game-changer for the entire Bluetooth low energy product market," continues Mike Stashak, VP of Sales & Marketing at Wahoo Fitness. "Until now Bluetooth low energy products - although welcomed with enormous enthusiasm - have targeted fairly niche applications. The Wahoo Balance is a Bluetooth low energy product that is relevant to everyone." "Weight is a major wellness concern for many people," comments Geir Langeland, Nordic Semiconductor's director of Sales & Marketing. "And so I can only commend Wahoo Fitness for developing a Bluetooth low energy weight scale that makes it even easier for people to measure and track their weight." Nordic has been at the forefront of the group that defined the Bluetooth low energy specification since becoming a foundation member of Nokia's Wibree Alliance in 2006 (the Alliance became part of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) in June 2007). Nordic contributed decades of expertise - gained in producing successive generations of class-leading proprietary and interoperable (ANT/ANT+) ULP wireless connectivity solutions within a field that it pioneered. Other Bluetooth low energy / Bluetooth Smart products launched by Wahoo Fitness in the past 18 months include the world's first iPhone based bike power trainer - the Wahoo KICKR - that allows users to train indoors using their own bike; and the world's first Bluetooth low energy/Bluetooth Smart bike computer - the Wahoo RFLKT - runs from a coin cell (watch) battery for up to two years without having to be removed from the user's bike handlebars. Nordic Semiconductor Wahoo Fitness