28 Oct 2013
By Belle
Belle

Quantified Self weekly links: An app to help you remember to breathe, and the future of Quantified Self

Fitbut Orb

1. Breath, an app to remind you to breathe

A hilarious (and well designed) site to poke fun at the Quantified Self movement and how far we might take it.

The app includes helpful features like a Breath trainer to help you remember to inhale and exhale, and automatic updates for Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn so you can tell your friends about your breathing habits.

Apparently the app is soon being released for “iOS, android and potato.”

2. Consolidate this: Quantified self edition

There are too many choices available for consumers when it comes to devices and apps that track your steps or daily activities. What needs to happen is consolidation across the industry and a focus on storytelling, not just activity.

Nova Spivack wrote this interesting piece on Gigaom about the Quantified Self movement and where it’s going next.

3. I Never Sync My Jawbone Up

Ryan Hoover explained why he still likes wearing his Jawbone UP, even when he doesn’t see his daily step count.

The brands we associate with are a personification of ourselves, a vehicle for branding and establishing an association with others.

The Jawbone Up and other QS wearables do more than portray an image. They establish a bond with other early adopters and QS enthusiasts. By sporting an Up, you become a part of the tribe, forming a social connection. For many, the Quantified Self movement isn’t really about quantification.

4. 3 Disadvantages to the Quantified Self Movement

Some great points in this article, mostly about issues we’re trying to address with Exist:

  • Too many apps, services and data to manage
  • Apps can’t talk to each other
  • Security concerns

More:

Bowflex Boost tracker review: This fitness tracker falls flat

New Fitbug Orb fitness tracker released, priced at $50 (pictured at top)

Misfit Shine coming to Best Buy soon, in two new colours

How to design your own Quantified Self experiments properly

The new Nike+ FuelBand SE unveiled

Fitly, a simple new iPhone app that uses the M7 to track your fitness data

Review of Automatic, a tracker for your driving

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