| MacUpdate Weekend Sale | :This weekend MacUpdate has slashed prices on Painter 12 and Painter Lite. Painter 12 retails for $429, but has been reduced by 54% to $199. Painter Lite has seen a 58% price cut from $69 to $29. Hurry, because these deals are only available until May 19th 2013. |
Jawbone is increasing its push into the fitness tracking market by announcing it has purchased BodyMedia. The acquisition of another manufacturer of wellness devices comes at the same time as Jawbone opens up its API to developers, allowing for other apps to be able to use data generated by the wrist-based lifestyle monitor, the Up.
Facebook announced today that it had altered its Facebook Messenger app to allow users to create Messenger accounts with only a name and a phone number. The alteration brings Facebook Messenger into the company of other SMS-replacement apps such as WhatsApp and Handcent, as users can now message contacts with just a phone number, as well as share photos with them. The social network rolled out the update to its Messenger app for Android today, and will be rolling out Messenger accounts over the next few weeks.
Jawbone is retrying its wrist-based health monitor by improving and re-releasing the Up. Worn on the wrist, the Up uses various sensors to measure how people eat, sleep, move and generally live their lives, in an effort to help users live a more healthy lifestyle. The wristband then connects to an iOS device via the headphone socket, which displays the collected data in a free app.
Withings today announced the US availability of its next generation of Internet-connected bathroom scale. The Wireless Scale WS-30 brings Bluetooth Smart technology and Wi-Fi capability to the bathroom, allowing users to wirelessly beam vital information without having to connect to a computer directly. The Wireless Scale also includes on-screen visuals that will help users correctly position themselves for accurate weighing.
The online portfolio of designer Carl Jeffers, noted by ZDNet's Stephen Chapman, has tipped information on an Apple health campaign for its designers, at least in the UK. The image galleries show a design + health kit that features weighted coffee mugs, Post-It notes that include exercise reminders, mouse-pads with ergonomic reminders to 'sit back' and booklets with health regimen ideas and exercise guides for the office. There is no indication in the packaging as to when the kit was produced.
In brief: danholt4mac and MacTech have both announced discounts on some of their products. danholt4mac is offering its Calories software at a discount of 40% off regular price. MacTech is now offering its customers a bundle that includes a two year subscription to its magazine along with their DVD Archive that contains the complete collection of issues from the magazines 24 year history. On a separate note, one MacNN employee recently dropped their MacBook Pro and broke the display. Looking for a low cost solution they tested out the service provided by iResQ. They found that the repair was completed in a very timely fashion and resulted in no additional damage and a display comparable to the original.
Angeion has announced iNewLeaf, an app for the iPhone and iPod touch that allows users to monitor fitness routines. The program is based on results from personal metabolic evaluations that can be administered at select health clubs. The 10-15 minute test is designed to calculate the body's response to exercise by measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in each breath. Analyzed results are then used to create optimized workout plans that include heart rate, cycling speed, power and cadence. Users can view the actual calories and fat calories burned after each session.
Past concerns for the health of Apple CEO Steve Jobs are resurfacing after his demonstration of the iPhone onstage at the WWDC keynote, with a spokeswoman passing off his mince physique as a "common bug". The Wall Street Journal reports that, in addition to the new iPhone, bloggers and internet news sites are abuzz with talk of whether Jobs is in good health or not. Jobs recently suffered from pancreatic cancer, which was revealed after it was believed to have been treated.
Crackatonic Projects has released Optimism 1.0, a health-wellness planning application that takes a pro-active approach to dealing with mental health. Optimism works by helping users monitor patterns in their lifestyle such as a person’s mood, exercise, sleep, and other potential triggers, symptoms or activities that may trigger depression. The program requires Mac OS X Version 10.2 or higher and runs as a Universal Binary for both Intel and PowerPC processors. Optimism 1.0 costs $19.95 and is available as a full-featured 7-day trial.
