iPosture review: it ain't no slouch!
By Laura June 
posted Dec 5th 2008 5:42PM
posted Dec 5th 2008 5:42PM
What it is
The iPosture monitor comes in a blister pack (apparently the company didn't get that memo about frustration-free packaging), along with two spare 3-volt Lithium batteries, a Quickstart Guide, two sheets of double-sided adhesive stickers, a red velveteen carrying case, and of course, a copy of Young, Sexy and Healthy. The device itself is about a 1-inch diameter of white plastic with a pressure sensitive front, it comes loaded with a battery, and is outfitted with a wire clip for fastening.
The iPosture can be worn three ways: clipped onto the clothing or a necklace via the aforementioned wire clip, or adhered directly to the body using the included stickers. We tried all three methods, and have to say that ladies (and men who wear bras) have an advantage here, because the iPosture feels most comfortable and secure clipped to a strap. The adhesive stickers do seem to work fine, but we spent a good bit of time trying to figure out where it would be most comfortable, and then a bit more worrying about it falling off. If you work anywhere outside the home, you definitely don't want the device falling into your clothing suddenly mid-day. We were the least fond of the necklace method of donning the iPosture -- it was both uncomfortable and not to our liking aesthetically (it looks ridiculous). Regardless, all three methods actually seem to allow the device to function about the same.
What it does
The iPosture literature repeats (many, many times) that it's "quick and easy" to use, and truth be told, it is. Once you're wearing it, you stand (or sit) up straight, shoulders back, i.e., with "proper posture," then tap the iPosture lightly, just once. If you've done it correctly, the device will vibrate for about two seconds. If you've improperly set it -- either by pressing it twice or holding it down too long -- the monitor will vibrate twice. In the latter case, you just start over. If you've somehow managed tap the button properly (we're awesome and got it on the first try!), then that's it -- the device is now supposedly monitoring your posture, and you should be able to proceed with your previously scheduled day.
Of course, the first thing we did was start flailing around wildly, leaning backwards and forwards, hunching over dramatically -- all to test out the little beast. When it didn't vibrate instantly, we thought 'well, this is a piece of garbage,' then read the literature to discover that, unsurprisingly (not to mention quite sensibly), the iPosture is programmed to ignore most jerky, temporary movements, and that only when you've held a "bad" posture for about a minute will it vibrate. And does it ever do just that! We must note here that it turns out that our posture was pretty much as bad as it gets (we're talking Hunchback of Notre Dame territory, folks) but we're going to blame the job, and the fact that we often sit at our desk (okay, table) for hours without moving.
When we first wore the iPosture, we were both shocked and embarrassed to find how often it vibrated. The vibration is quick and pretty much silent, but we found it to have an instant effect on our behavior. If you've gone so far as to have bought and donned the device, it seems reasonable to assume you won't ignore its nagging, even if you could... which you can't. It's pretty annoying, and, as we already said, shocking.
When it vibrated we found ourselves bolting up in our chair to right our posture -- just as desired! At first, that reaction was quite temporary, and we were slouching like losers again in no time. But wearing the device essentially creates a little game out of sitting, and soon enough, in the back of your mind, you're thinking about how long you can go without the darned thing vibrating. Day one was exhausting, and we found that by and large, our posture was only terrible while sitting at a computer working. When sitting on the couch reading, or cooking dinner, it vibrated far less, and for long periods not at all. Any prolonged silence of the device led us to wonder if the battery was dead (it never was), which is probably a totally minor concern. Also, it's worth mentioning that by the end of the first day, our back and shoulders actually hurt, but cleared up by the next day. The second and third day of wear the iPosture vibrated much, much less, and we certainly began to notice our overall posture was much straighter, and that, kind of surprisingly, it was more comfortable to sit correctly!
Wrap-up
So, it turns out that despite being absolutely ridiculous, the device pretty much works as advertised. It essentially annoys you into sitting up straight, though it must be noted that you have to actually know how to stand up straight in order to set the device properly. We can't really say how it will (or, more likely, won't) affect our posture long-term, but like the Wii Fit before it, it definitely gets you thinking consciously about your body, which can't be a terrible thing. Sure, it's a little preposterous for $89.95, but, just as we were writing this, we decided to check out the iPosture website and it turns out that we're all in luck -- it's gone on sale for the holidays for $49.95. Oh, and we still haven't gotten around to reading Young, Sexy and Healthy yet, but we'll be sure to let you know how it is once we do. It looks like a real page-turner. Check out the gallery for some more captivating images.
That's about $49.93 more than a would pay for this.
wow, a 3rd nipple...
A third nipple, that vibrates!
This could replace all the nuns in the first through 8th grades!
Looks like utter crap. (Someone had to say it...)
'i' agree 'i' normally use my iphone for this task stops me from sleeping
......
No comment.
But you commented.
He clearly didn't... see, he said so himself.
But I like slouching :(
You'll like it even more with a vibrator.
It looks best in Picture 4.
The box it comes in is more useful then the product... FAIL
Picture 1 is to prove that, yes, it did in fact come from a box.
Picture 4 is to prove even further that it is, indeed, a box.
Also, it proves that Engadget doesn't really care about bandwidth or storage.
This is AWESOME... if you want to look like a complete douche...
I'm a fulltime freelance webdeveloper & actually the past year or so I've become increasingly self conscious about my posture
as a few people have commented that I'm slouching (this is while i've been standing)
I'm going to buy one of these and try it out. Hope it helps
Well I just made a failed attempt at purchasing the iPosture online
I live in New Zealand and when checking out you can only select the United States
Dam...
I agree, to avoid back pain and to walk upright in your later years this is a good idea. I sit all day a write code and always find myself slouching. (am not getting any younger)
Good for staying awake in meetings and class though
but, what's the purpose of that?
Wow... I recall a Dilbert episode along these lines... it ended badly...
The picture of the empty shipping box in your gallery was especially enlightening!
My personal favorite, as well.
I'm more of a closed box picture kinda guy. Am I an optimist? Maybe...
Where is the picture of it strapped to Laura's bra?
Just wondering. :)
CREEPER ALERT!!!
CREEPER ALERT!!!
Your picture looks like a douche that appeared in Discovery Channel that had fathered like 15 kids through artificial insemination...
If you think that's creepy.. check out his blog :X
http://www.beforeisleep.net/
A good chair is a better solution. This is a failed attempt of correcting the result, not the cause of the problem.
The chair is not the cause of people slouching, trust me, I've gone through a lot of chairs...
(professional crooked-back talking)
Any chair will make you slouch eventually, that's true, but a bad one will make you do so in a much shorter period of time.
Ultimate solution? Bed + Laptop.
Actually bureX is right. Some types of chairs make you stay in correct posture for much, much longer than other chairs, making this device kind of useless if you use one of those chairs. Dual-density foam chairs are an example.
Get a swingseat.http://www.swingseat.com/
The best posture at your desk is the posture that is always changing. If you lean forward, you want the seat pan to tilt forward. If you lean back, the seat pan should be tilted back.
Also, get out of your seat and walk around every 30 minutes.
yeah, if it wasn't 500 bucks for the chair i'd get one
if you're one of those on the verge of having your back permanently hunched... you'll know how good this christmas present wil be.
As iEye said last time this was featured,
To Windows people: Don't worry, there will one day be a day when all companys want a x on their product instead of an i. Like Xbox or Xzune or XWindows or XXX. Sounds like fail to me!
But there is already an X windowing system.
Heh heh I couldn't resist that low rank... but yeah, I guess M$ is already on the beautiful road to FAIL.
@yopladas
umm...
OSX?
Sounds like fail to me!
I think my back problems could diminish because of this...
But I'm not buying it. Seems like too much of a hassle...
Maybe if it could somehow be implanted into my skin?
I guess it would work. But I'd try some other measures first.
on the store...
"Yes, I want my FREE Lifetime-Supply of EZ Stick Adhesive Patches and Batteries for my iPosture"
"because each month we will send you a month's supply of each, absolutely free!"
wow.
that was not in the review.
oh, I forgot to read the little words...
"** Then every 30 days we will send you a fresh supply at a significant discount over the retail price."
I thought they were free. But then again, it was stupid of me to think that...
/sad
it says free to me
"Then every 30 days we will send you a fresh supply absolutely free!"
Why would some one name something with an apple name that controls the way you sit/stand? It sounds a little cultish haha :]
Are you sure that this isn't made by Apple?
It has a stupid "i" in front of it's name, and it's grossly overpriced for what it actually is.
picard.jpg
Laura, you cook?
$50 for a vibrator connected to a timer and an angle sensor? Really? this seems like something that could be hacked together for about $20 retail.
Are there not phones out there with built in accelerometers and vibrators? Someone get on this, probably be worth $2 in the app store.
You know, in all seriousness that's a really good idea. The main caveat I can think of is the sheer weight of the iPhone. But I use my iPhone in a shirt pocket and perhaps any such developer could design their app with that in mind? (Not sure what solution might work for the ladies...)
damn.... US only... I really wanted to try this out...
http://www.jabjab.net
I'm a geek and a guitarist. ie. I sit at a computer desk all day, then hang a heavy wooden plank from my neck at night. Not a good combination for posture...
If it stops me going permanently hunchbacked it looks like money well spent.
Yeah, like the staff at Engadget work 10+ hour days.
Just kidding.
Isn't that Prince's Logo on it?
Don't slouch or no umbrella will keep you dry when it RAINS PURPLE.
I just bought one as a gift for my girlfriend. She has terrible vision and leans into her laptop screen all the time. I would much prefer a vibration for her than me having to nag. Now I can just make fun of her for a stupid looking thing stuck to her!
is that cleavage sweat on the cover of young,sexy and healthy
- trying to decide if I'm aroused or disgusted