Withings WiFi Body Scale integrates Twitter, launches in the US
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted Nov 11th 2009 12:20AM
posted Nov 11th 2009 12:20AM
You know that friend -- we all have one -- that bores you with incessant tweets regarding his weight, his caloric intake, number of miles jogged, so on and so forth? Well, don't let him get a hold on this: finally available in the US, the WiFi Body Scale by Withings has received a bit of an upgrade, with its web app now offering Twitter integration. Not only does this bad boy register your weight, body fat, and BMI, but you can now configure it to send your stats to "the Twitter" either daily, weekly, monthly, or each and every time you weigh -- and your followers will start dropping faster than even you could imagine. But don't take our word for it! As our man Cedric Hutchings (the company's general manager) states, "adding this social functionality makes the WiFi scale by Withings the first true flagship of the Internet of Objects." Right. He might have added that the company's given "fail whale" an entirely new meaning. Yours for $159. PR after the break.
Withings Announces Social Media Functionality to its WiFi Body Scale
Withings utilizes Twitter updates to keep users motivated and help them reach their weight loss goals
Issy-les-Moulineaux, France – November 10, 2009 -- Today, Withings is announcing Twitter integration into its first-of-its-kind WiFi Body Scale. As the world's first WiFi connected personal weight scale, it automatically records the user's body weight, lean & fat mass, and calculated body mass index (BMI) to their secure webpage and/or free Withings iPhone application, WiScale. Now, with this new added feature, users can set up alerts to automatically post their updates to Twitter accounts, further motivating them by sharing their progress with followers.
"This social media feature was the next logical step in the evolution of the WiFi scale for our customers," said Cedric Hutchings, Withings General Manager. "Here at Withings we are committed to roll out new features and services on the field thanks to automatic updates. Adding this social functionality makes the WiFi scale by Withings the first true flagship of the Internet of Objects."
By default, the Twitter feature will not be activated when you purchase your scale, it will have to be enabled by the user on www.withings.com. During the Twitter set up process, a user can set their Twitter alerts to post automatically at each measure, daily, weekly or monthly (see image here). The tweet will read the users current weight and how many pounds they have left to reach their set goal, whether they need to loose or gain! Since the scale tracks up to eight users per scale, only the users that enable this feature will benefit from the online peer motivation. More information on the Twitter feature here: Withings Blog.
With its extra-flat (.9") black and steel design, the scale is an ideal addition to any bathroom. It's jam-packed with technology, while still remaining very simple to use. By using bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), the scale calculates the user's body fat composition. The scale is the perfect tool for anyone who is concerned about their health and is interested in monitoring the benefits and progress of their diet and exercise plan.
The scale is currently available on www.withings.com for $159.00 USD. For more information on Withings, go to www.withings.com. To request additional information or images of the WiFi Body Scale, please contact PR representative Jessica Darrican at (305) 576-1171 ext.16 or jessica@maxborgesagency.com.
About Withings
Withings is a French start-up established by three executives from the technology and telecom industry. With a focus on the innovation and design for everyday products, Withings introduced in September 2009 its first-of-its-kind WiFi Bodyscale in the United States. For more information on Withings, visit www.withings.com.
Withings utilizes Twitter updates to keep users motivated and help them reach their weight loss goals
Issy-les-Moulineaux, France – November 10, 2009 -- Today, Withings is announcing Twitter integration into its first-of-its-kind WiFi Body Scale. As the world's first WiFi connected personal weight scale, it automatically records the user's body weight, lean & fat mass, and calculated body mass index (BMI) to their secure webpage and/or free Withings iPhone application, WiScale. Now, with this new added feature, users can set up alerts to automatically post their updates to Twitter accounts, further motivating them by sharing their progress with followers.
"This social media feature was the next logical step in the evolution of the WiFi scale for our customers," said Cedric Hutchings, Withings General Manager. "Here at Withings we are committed to roll out new features and services on the field thanks to automatic updates. Adding this social functionality makes the WiFi scale by Withings the first true flagship of the Internet of Objects."
By default, the Twitter feature will not be activated when you purchase your scale, it will have to be enabled by the user on www.withings.com. During the Twitter set up process, a user can set their Twitter alerts to post automatically at each measure, daily, weekly or monthly (see image here). The tweet will read the users current weight and how many pounds they have left to reach their set goal, whether they need to loose or gain! Since the scale tracks up to eight users per scale, only the users that enable this feature will benefit from the online peer motivation. More information on the Twitter feature here: Withings Blog.
With its extra-flat (.9") black and steel design, the scale is an ideal addition to any bathroom. It's jam-packed with technology, while still remaining very simple to use. By using bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), the scale calculates the user's body fat composition. The scale is the perfect tool for anyone who is concerned about their health and is interested in monitoring the benefits and progress of their diet and exercise plan.
The scale is currently available on www.withings.com for $159.00 USD. For more information on Withings, go to www.withings.com. To request additional information or images of the WiFi Body Scale, please contact PR representative Jessica Darrican at (305) 576-1171 ext.16 or jessica@maxborgesagency.com.
About Withings
Withings is a French start-up established by three executives from the technology and telecom industry. With a focus on the innovation and design for everyday products, Withings introduced in September 2009 its first-of-its-kind WiFi Bodyscale in the United States. For more information on Withings, visit www.withings.com.
Just when I thought the intarwebs could not get any more interesting...
I'll take 4, thanks.
Do you want that many or are you just THAT morbidly obese?
Let's see Ashton get one of these!
If you pack on too many pounds, YOU become the Fail Whale.
why? so its easier to pick on fat or (gravity challenged)people but finding out where they live by there tweets see how much they weight and and if u can temp them bye putting pies on there porce and watch thee scale tweet to see if there weight goes up
or girl scouts and worlds finest chocolate salesmen and women target you cause your weight falls under there target market range
Why USA? I'd rather have a two digit number (in kg) on my twitter rather than 4to10 digits everyday >_
If this wouldn't cause anorexia, I don't know what will. Oh well, I'm all for more skinny hot chicks.
i don't know about the rest of you but i like a girl with a little meat on her bones
when's my toilet getting twitter/Facebook integration?
Jacob just took a shit (about a minute ago)
Jacob just took a piss (about 2 hours ago)
Someone already did this already and for free about half a year ago: http://www.clockskew.com/2009/04/08/twittering-bathroom-scale/
Lets see who can set the high score!
I feel fat. Someone feed me. Oh god, help me.
Yours for $159. PR after the break!!
oh..my god..
Mike Smith is sitting on the can. In related news, he just lost 1.4lbs!
deserves the crapgadget tiltle.
To bad they only give a one year warranty for this thing, for these house hold appliances you'd imagine a somewhat longer warranty.
I was just saying, a product isn't going to make it unless it integrates social media. I think we can look forward to a blender that does Facebook. Jake just made a protein shake. Click here for the recipe!
I purchased the Withings WiFi scale a month ago. I also have a Tanita Pro scale with all the bells and whistles.
The Withings scale is just as accurate as my Tanita (well, don't use either on a carpet) with the added advantage that it wirelessly sends all the data (fat, bmi, weight, lean mass, etc) to their website and to my iPhone.
Since I track tons of things about my health (steps, sleep, blood pressure, etc) - it was always a pain on the Tanita to have to write everything down, then go enter it into my tracking programs.
I'll also mention that the Withings staff seems particularly interested in listening to their users. The online forum provides a feedback method and Withings seems to implement most of the good ideas suggested.
Also, the scale is built for the iPhone. I was stunned to see an indentation in the back of the scale that fit my iPhone. Placing the iPhone into the space lines up the speaker in mic in the iPhone to complementary speaker/mic in the back of the scale. The Withings iPhone program can then be used to program the scale (setup wireless WEP, etc) - and it does it all using sound - very very slick.
Of course, you can also set it up via your Mac and a USB cable.
All in all, I'm super happy with the unit. Now if my FitBit would just ship!
I have a Withings scale too and I love it (had been using a Tanita for more than 10 yrs and tracking weight and bodyfat in MS Excel)
I have to agree with iPhoneGuy they listen to feedback and make changes regularly--they are one of the most responsive manufacturers I've ever seen (check out FitBit if you are into this stuff...they have the same customer philosophy).
I think people here in America should be legally forced to use one of these. Maybe that would get all the fat fucks to slim down.
Seriously, everywhere you look it's fat-ass people with their fat-ass kids.
You really don't want government health care the way this country is going: you'll be paying for people's lipo suction and gastric bypass before long.