There has been a lot of buzz around Intel’s Basis Peak smartwatch due to hit the market this November. What differentiates this smartwatch from the rest of the pack is its emphasis on healthy-living and fitness tracking.
This watch is not your grandma’s fitness tracking wearable. Nor is it your traditional smartwatch. It’s more like a fitness-band smartwatch hybrid of awesomeness.
All about Goal Setting and Building Healthy Habits.
The Peak Basis doesn’t simply track your footsteps – no that’s too basic.
This smartwatch takes it to the next level by allowing you to set goals, or habits, and “check in” daily on your smartphone.
These habits aren’t just related to steps taken. They can also include other types of activity like bike riding as well as sleep-related reminders.
Your weekly goals are then adjusted based on the prior week’s performance. This system has been dubbed the “healthy habits system.”
According to the company, this system allows “users set tangible goals like going to sleep at the same time each night or standing up from their desk once an hour during the day”.
This system helps ensure that a user’s goals are reachable and their habits sustainable.
Even better, setting goals with your Peak watch is simple because the watch is iOS and Android compatible. Not to mention, tracking data is also accessible online from a computer. This is great for those who don’t like to configure a lot on their smaller-screened smartphone.
It Sends Notifications, too.
Aside from daily and weekly goal-setting, the Basis Peak would not be a proper smartwatch / fitness band if it did not send notifications, too.
Because of your predefined daily habits, the watch is able to send a habit notification when you need a push.
Like, “Hey sloth, get off the couch. You’ve only walked ten steps today!”
However, with its initial release in November, the Basis Peak will only be able to send notifications to your smartphone. However, with future updates wrist notifications will be added into the mix.
Also looking ahead, the Peak watch will eventually be able to display text messages, alerts and phone calls with future updates.
Essentially, the Basis Peak will be like a personal assistant meets motivational coach. Who never leaves your side.
Jam-Packed with Sensors.
Like the older model, the new Peak watch continues to come equipped with BodyIQ technology that automatically detects walks, runs, bike rides in addition to sleep and wake times.
However, differing from their earlier model, the heart rate-related sensors have been re-engineered. Now there is continuous heart rate monitoring. And, of course, all of this heart rate data is then compiled into their analytics dashboard.
This feature is great for both workout junkies as well as those with any heart-related health conditions.
The company is so keen on their improved heart rate monitor that they have been as bold to claim that the “Peak could even replace your traditional chest-strap monitor.”
Data Syncs to Smartphone (iOS and Andriod only).
Without a doubt, this watch was designed with mobile in mind.
The Peak comes with Bluetooth SmartTM, which helps automatically sync fitness-related data. Simply setup your Peak with iOS or Android apps, sync your data wirelessly and get insights on your smartphone immediately.
According to the company, “Our redesigned apps not only provide summary data, but let you dive deeper into each activity or night’s sleep.”
The following is a list of compatible iOS devices (must be iOS 7 or higher). As you can see, basically everything following the iPhone 4:
- iPod Touch (5th Generation)
- iPhone 6
- iPhone 6+
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5c
- iPhone 5s
- iPhone 4S
Below is a list of officially supported Android devices:
- Samsung Galaxy S5
- Samsung Galaxy S4
- LG Nexus 5
Yikes. Looks like a lot of Android devices are left out of the mix!
However, don’t fret – there is also an “unofficially supported” Android Basis app. Which the company claims may be buggy. However, they promise to add more “officially supported” Android devices in the future.
Get Analytics on Your Computer, too.
Don’t have one of the supported devices mentioned above? (Cough, Windows Phone.)
It’s okay – there’s an entire Basis Peak online dashboard where all your fitness data can live.
On the web application one can set goals, view insights and as well as look at sleep and fitness data. Everything you can do on your Smartphone.
Would the Peak Alter Your Fitness Regime?
While all of this is convenient, would owning a Peak revamp your fitness regime?
Yes, having push notifications when slacking and the ability to set goals is helpful … But only if it’s actually acted upon.
Take Mint.com, for instance, which provides insight into weekly spending and offers long-term financial goal-setting. One can setup a Mint account, get alerts, and then never make actual changes.
Unless, you as a person, is determined to spend less and save more: financial goals will never be reached. (I know this because I am one of this people!)
The same argument could be made for the Peak. Having a dashboard of fitness analytics and recommended goals doesn’t mean you’ll make concrete changes.
Yes, the Peak does reside on the wrist, meaning it’s a lot more “in your face” than a Mint email reminder. Nonetheless, one could still not acknowledge their push notification and remain sitting on the couch.
The point is: fitness features and notifications offered by the Peak only come in handy for the person dedicated to using them.
Wrap up: What Makes the Basis Peak Standout
In the fitness-tracking arena, it seems the clear competitor with the new Peak is the Jawbone Up. Like the Peak, this fit band is designed to be worn 24/7. However unlike the Peak, it lacks an actual screen.
While there are many other smartwatches on the market, none have the emphasis on habit-building that the Peak has. (Again, which only matters if you’re committed to changing your habits.)
Here are a few other Peak specifications that make the smartwatch standout:
- Relatively affordable, starting at $199
- Android and iOS compatible
- Lasts up to four days on a single battery charge – much longer than other smartwatches
- Water resistant up to 5ATM, meaning it’s good for swimmers
- Five advanced sensors for heart rate, motion, perspiration and skin temperature – which offers a very comprehensive picture of your health and fitness makeup
- It has a sleek design
In the end, the Basis Peak is a revamped fitness-based smartwatch. While it has not been released yet, the smartwatch seems perfect for the fitness junkie wanting to track analytics and hit new goals. The watch also appears to be beneficial to the everyday person, committed to making lifestyle changes and just needs the extra nudge.
Do you think a habit-enforcing watch like Peak would change your fitness regime?