Jawbone Announces 'UP3' Wristband with New Sensors, 'Smart Coach' Functionality

[Wes129]

Jawbone Has Significant Quality Issues

The one thing that scares me is the history of Jawbone's UP band quality. If this new design has eliminated the issues that have plagued Jawbone so badly, I'd happily purchase this device. Their app is by far better than any of the other apps I've investigated, and it continues to get better. I'm slightly excited about this news.

I agree completely with this. Both my wife and I purchased the Jawbone 2nd Gen (wired) bands, and each of them have hardware failures every 3-6 months. I'm currently on my 5th band, and my wife is on her 3rd. These issues are not limited to our versions...the Up24 also has serious quality control issues. Jawbone keeps replacing faulty bands (as long as they're within the 90-day replacement warranty) but the replacements fail shortly thereafter.

I would HIGHLY caution anyone considering their newest hardware offering (UP3) to wait and monitor their support forums to see how many users have issues with the bands. I have absolutely ZERO confidence in Jawbone's ability to conduct quality control. And they refused to upgrade me to a newer version or even accept a trade-in.

My recommendation: stay away from Jawbone fitness trackers!

Oh, and one more thing: don't expect their app to integrate well with Apple's Health app. The sleep data is only syncing "In Bed" time, not hours of sleep. The issue has been present for months, and their support team has been unresponsive. Jawbone is focused only on using their own apps, not integration with other apps like Health.

 

[NightFox]

I think it's impressive. I still wish jawbone would put a screen on it though. I think it would be a decent product to wear alongside(the other wrist) the apple watch since you can't wear an apple watch 24/7 nor be in water with it. Also jawbone has had the best app in the fitness band genre for a long time. They "get it".

I'm really still hoping apple & Nike will partner up and rerelease a fuelband style product. The watch is ok but it's not made for gym goers or athletes.

Yet the key attraction to me is that it doesn't have a display.

You can keep some of the people happy all of the time...

 

[twolf2919]

I'm intrigued by this, but for $100 more I can get the Apple Watch in another 5 months or so.

You're off by 50% - it should be "for $150 more" as the rumored base price of the Apple Watch is $349 (latest rumor has the midd-level version priced at around $500 and the "Edition" version up to $5000.)

 

[bstpierre]

That was my first thought. I had an Up for about 6 months before the hardware started failing. Absolutely loved the phone software.

I will be watching this with interest although the price tag feels a bit high for what you're getting.

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Er, it's by Jawbone, not fitbit?

He probably needs an upgrade.

 

[spazzcat]

You're off by 50% - it should be "for $150 more" as the rumored base price of the Apple Watch is $349 (latest rumor has the midd-level version priced at around $500 and the "Edition" version up to $5000.)

The sport one will start at $350.

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I agree completely with this. Both my wife and I purchased the Jawbone 2nd Gen (wired) bands, and each of them have hardware failures every 3-6 months. I'm currently on my 5th band, and my wife is on her 3rd. These issues are not limited to our versions...the Up24 also has serious quality control issues. Jawbone keeps replacing faulty bands (as long as they're within the 90-day replacement warranty) but the replacements fail shortly thereafter.

I would HIGHLY caution anyone considering their newest hardware offering (UP3) to wait and monitor their support forums to see how many users have issues with the bands. I have absolutely ZERO confidence in Jawbone's ability to conduct quality control. And they refused to upgrade me to a newer version or even accept a trade-in.

My recommendation: stay away from Jawbone fitness trackers!

Oh, and one more thing: don't expect their app to integrate well with Apple's Health app. The sleep data is only syncing "In Bed" time, not hours of sleep. The issue has been present for months, and their support team has been unresponsive. Jawbone is focused only on using their own apps, not integration with other apps like Health.

The UP has always been my favorite, but they don't last. The new one looks like they may have addressed the issue by move the tracking hardware out of the band and put it in the top area where it will not get bent over and over again when you remove the tracker...

 

[jgz]

Firstofall, I'm really happy, that the market for wristbands with HR functionality starts growing, as I'm not really comfortable with chest bands. I can't get it, why famous sportswatch- brands like Suunto, or Polar didn't invest their knowhow and money in such a product. Hopefully they get on this train now, but anyway as a vintage watch lover I would prefer a wristband full of sensors instead of heaving some kind of band with a display on it.

Hopefully the final product will look a little better in terms of material quality, look here

If so, I'm a 100% buyer, if not, I will have to wait for the next gen...

 

[rdlink]

I didn't wake up tired. Yes my brain tells me all those things. I obviously don't live like you. Maybe if you lived like me you'd understand. But as you don't the jawbone is for you. Enjoy.

Actually, I have lived like you. But I don't avoid exploring or considering advancements in technology to improve my overall health and/or quality of life. And I don't ridicule those who do by implying that they have no brain...

 

[Bubba Satori]

Are you going to need to buy a new one every 3-6 months due to hardware failure...

Why, does it use Apple Wi-Fi?

 

[kaielement]

The one thing that scares me is the history of Jawbone's UP band quality. If this new design has eliminated the issues that have plagued Jawbone so badly, I'd happily purchase this device. Their app is by far better than any of the other apps I've investigated, and it continues to get better. I'm slightly excited about this news.

I know what you mean I had five difernt bands all replaced out under the warranty. And after my last one went out they told me I was finlay outside the warranty and that they wouldn't replace it. So instead of fight them I just went out and bought the Missfit Shine. So far I am loving it. I mean of all the fitness tracking apps the Jawbone was one of the best. But the Missfit's app isn't bad either just getting used to it. I do love the fact that the Missfit is Bluetooth as my up band wasn't. The Missfit is waterproof so I can wear it 24/7 (even in the shower which is something I didn't do with my up band even though they said you could I had one go bad in the shower). Oh and the battery is amazing 4-6 months and I never have to charge it. Any way I hope this new Jawbone band is miles better then the other up bands.

 

[firewood]

I got one of these the day I was made. It resides in between my ears. I listen to it daily and open it for answers and feedback. Its so powerful. I call it a brain. It is connected to all these sensors I have in and around my body. Its amazing how they give feedback and info to the brain.

The human brain also gets fooled, distracted, exaggerates, forgets, makes mistakes with simple arithmetic, and etc. The sensors give feedback and the brain turns it into mush and made-up stories. It's good at solving really difficult problems, but often bad at a whole bunch of really simple tasks that require consistent attention and accuracy. Brain operated humans use their senses and feedback to slip and fall, lose their keys, crash cars into their own garage doors, send the wrong people to jail with "eyewitness" testimony, a whole bunch of screwy stuff.

Ask people what their wearable computing device with accurate sensors measured (how much exercise they really got that day, etc.), and the humans usually guess wrong, sometimes wildly wrong.

Can't even remember whether jawbone or fitbit from 20 lines back !!!

Use it, but don't trust it.

 

[Carlanga]

They need to price it at $99 IMO.

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Firstofall, I'm really happy, that the market for wristbands with HR functionality starts growing, as I'm not really comfortable with chest bands. I can't get it, why famous sportswatch- brands like Suunto, or Polar didn't invest their knowhow and money in such a product. Hopefully they get on this train now, but anyway as a vintage watch lover I would prefer a wristband full of sensors instead of heaving some kind of band with a display on it.

Hopefully the final product will look a little better in terms of material quality, look here

If so, I'm a 100% buyer, if not, I will have to wait for the next gen...

The chest straps are always better HR monitors than the sportwatches; FYI there are sportwatches from Polar that do HR w out a strap. Suunto is now into sports instead of outdoors now? I have an Observer that I love modified w a nylon strap that should last forever. The watch does a bunch of thing and I think I have owned it for more than a decade.

 

[Lostanddamned]

I know what you mean I had five difernt bands all replaced out under the warranty. And after my last one went out they told me I was finlay outside the warranty and that they wouldn't replace it. So instead of fight them I just went out and bought the Missfit Shine. So far I am loving it. I mean of all the fitness tracking apps the Jawbone was one of the best. But the Missfit's app isn't bad either just getting used to it. I do love the fact that the Missfit is Bluetooth as my up band wasn't. The Missfit is waterproof so I can wear it 24/7 (even in the shower which is something I didn't do with my up band even though they said you could I had one go bad in the shower). Oh and the battery is amazing 4-6 months and I never have to charge it. Any way I hope this new Jawbone band is miles better then the other up bands.

I had four shines go wrong in less than six months, each one in a new and disappointing way compared to previous ones. I also repeatedly tried to order accessories (watch strap, wristband) from their online store, but found that these orders were never dispatched, lost in the post or returned as undeliverable. The final straw came when they failed to deliver a product for one month and I only found out after a week’s worth of email conversation with their “customer support” team.

I find the company somewhat immature compared to others.

 

[Kavier]

It's not the best looking band but I love how much it can measure and that it is actually waterproof. I have been looking for a band I can swim with for a while. I think I'll hold off to see the reviews though.

 

[flyinmac]

Only resting heart rate? Kidding me?

well, that is the only one that matters... I need to know my heart rate as I shove potato chips in my mouth while watching sports on Television.

I need to know whether my heart rate increases or decreases depending on which team is winning.

 

[jgz]

They need to price it at $99 IMO.

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The chest straps are always better HR monitors than the sportwatches; FYI there are sportwatches from Polar that do HR w out a strap. Suunto is now into sports instead of outdoors now? I have an Observer that I love modified w a nylon strap that should last forever. The watch does a bunch of thing and I think I have owned it for more than a decade.

Thanks for the Polar advise, I'll check that.

Suunto with their Core and Ambit models have quite some ambition into serious sports/fitness tracking, don't you think so? You are right Sport doesn't always mean Sport In my case, I do some running and Skitouring, thats all...

 

[Oletros]

Only resting heart rate? Kidding me?

According to Jawbone site, it can track any heart rate

The UP® system takes a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle. With the UP3™ band you are able to get the most complete picture of your overall health. UP3™ tracks your activity and sleep in the background and captures your heart rate on demand

 

[kaielement]

I had four shines go wrong in less than six months, each one in a new and disappointing way compared to previous ones. I also repeatedly tried to order accessories (watch strap, wristband) from their online store, but found that these orders were never dispatched, lost in the post or returned as undeliverable. The final straw came when they failed to deliver a product for one month and I only found out after a week’s worth of email conversation with their “customer support” team.

I find the company somewhat immature compared to others.

I know a few people who own the shine and had no problem. I know four with the up and only one has had a good one everyone else has had to get them replaced out several times.