The article also highlights the importance of understanding the limitations of these devices. While some features may have been cleared by medical regulators, most of the functionality has not been proven for efficacy. The article advises consumers to read the user manual to understand how the device should be used and what it can and cannot do. It also warns against making life-changing decisions based on the data from these devices. The article concludes by suggesting that the future of the category could involve more in-ear monitoring and the use of AI to extract better signal from noisy data.
Key takeaways:
- Self quantification is a growing trend with an expanding world of wellness wearables and fitness trackers. However, most of the data being output by these devices hasn’t been reviewed by regulators, making it difficult for consumers to know how accurate these “personalized” assessments really are.
- While some devices have features that claim to be able to detect medical conditions or disease risks, medically cleared features remain the exception in the space. For example, Apple has made much of its FDA-cleared ECG (elctrocardiogram) and atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) detection features.
- Consumers should approach all fitness/wellness products with a critical eye and be wary of devices that overpromise. Reading the small print, not the marketing, is crucial to understanding what the device can and cannot do.
- When using devices with regulator approved features, it's important to follow the instructions to ensure the best recording possible. However, consumers should not assume all outputs on a particular device are credible because the FDA approved one of the features.