This is Halo, the new Amazon activity tracker . An interesting product that opens the way for the company to a new terrain for them: health. Whether it is successful or not is something that we will see over time, but for now it comes with some striking news and a payment service that it seems will not be the only one we see in this regard this year.
This is Amazon’s Halo
Amazon gets into the realm of sports bracelets or physical activity quantifiers with Halo. His first proposal offers some interesting news, although it will be difficult to gain a foothold in the market. Because at the bottom you have Xiaomi and its Mi Band 5, an economical and very capable proposal. And for that more demanding sector the Apple Watch is practically the indisputable option. Still, Halo, Amazon’s activity tracker has an ace up its sleeve.
This surprise letter is none other than its application and subscription service that will offer the user added value that many other proposals do not currently offer. Although we go by parts and first we know what Halo is like on a physical level.
As you can see, Halo is a simple bracelet with different types of bands that uses various sensors that go from one accelerometer to another to measure heart rate, monitor sleep and even incorporates microphones to analyze the user’s voice. But there is no screen, no GPS module or WiFi connectivity. The only way of communication with the mobile phone is the Bluetooth connection.
These are the main features of Amazon’s Halo:
- Quantifying bracelet with a module without a screen, GPS or WiFi connectivity
- Bluetooth connection for phone pairing and data synchronization
- Sensors included: accelerometer, temperature sensor, and heart rate monitor
- Two microphones with a button to mute them (not for using Alexa, that integration does not exist)
- Android and iOS support
- Interchangeable bands (15.99 for sports versions and $ 19.99 for cloth)
Knowing all this, as you can see, it is an activity bracelet that physically attracts little attention, although that gives a bit of an idea about where the shots go by Amazon. Here they want you to forget about the gadget itself and focus more on the data. Therefore, along with the bracelet comes a subscription service with the same name that will cost $ 3.99 per month.
This will be in charge of processing your data and proposing a series of challenges and routines so that you improve aspects of your day-to-day life and with them the healthy habits that allow you to be better in health matters.
For example, alongside the already popular cardio, sleep or heart rate exercise measurements, they will also be able to measure body fat and even tone of voice. With one they will then give you indications to improve your physique and with the second they will be able to know your mood during the day. They are undoubtedly two of the great values of this proposal.
How do you collect the data required for both functions? Well, for the subject of body fat, the camera of your smartphone will be used to perform a 3D scan of your body. Thus, with that image, the Amazon algorithms analyze it and indicate an approximate value of body fat. For the second, the two microphones built into the bracelet are used. They listen to your tone and can tell when you’re in better spirits or sadder.
Halo, Amazon, and user privacy
At this point it is likely that, also knowing the problems and suspicions generated by the use of Alexa within the home, you wonder what happens to data privacy . Well, here as with almost any technology company you have to take a leap of faith. Sometimes it is more or less dangerous, but Amazon warns that they are taking many precautions to be one hundred percent safe .
Thus, the first thing he did was create a document where they explain well what type of data they collect, where it is stored and how to eliminate it if desired. Also, if you are interested in Halo, but some of its functions are not useful for you, you can deactivate them as they are all optional.
As extra details, there are points that are worth highlighting:
- The Halo profile is separate from your Amazon account. So whether or not you are over your weight, they will not recommend diet products when entering the store.
- Data can be deleted at any time
- The most compromised ones such as digital scanning or those referring to voice can be eliminated individually
- These body scans only stay 12 hours on Amazon’s servers and are not shared with other applications
- The voice is analyzed locally on the phone and then erased
- The data can be shared with Amazon partners, but always generated by the laboratory function and anonymously
Halo, price and availability
Halo will be priced at $ 99, $ 64.99 if you buy it early. The only problem is that for this you will have to have access by invitation. For the rest, the monthly subscription service will cost 3.99 euros.
Success or failure? It is difficult to venture out and say what will happen. Amazon has tried in the past to innovate and it has not succeeded. Here you have two tough rivals as we said at the beginning. In the most economical sector there are proposals such as the Mi Band 5 from Xiaomi and for those who do not mind investing more in a more serious device there is the Apple Watch or some Garmin watches.
However, if Amazon manages to add value to the product with this service and its partners, proposing deliveries and effective improvements for the ordinary user, they may be able to gain a foothold. For now, it only remains to be patient and see what kind of reception you have. in the market.
