LAS VEGAS — The problem with the state of smartwatches, beyond the sucky software, is that they’re all ugly. The Apple Watch might very well be the first wearable that not only works, but looks good too, although we won’t know for sure until the finished product is on our wrists this spring.
There were dozens and dozens of smartwatches displayed on the sprawling show floor at International CES last week, but the only one that looked good enough to adorn my wrist was the new Withings Activité Pop.
It doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles of fancier watches like the Samsung Galaxy Gear, but it’s not your average dumb watch either. And for now, just a smidgen smarter is smart enough.
Based in Paris, Withings is known for its Swiss-Made Activité watch. The new Pop model, on display for the first time this year at CES, is the less-premium sibling for those who don’t want to spend $450. Both the Activité and Activité Pop look very similar with their traditional analog faces, but the Pop lacks a sapphire glass display and Barenia leather strap. It also lacks the coveted “Swiss-Made” stamp of approval.
It’s really barebones from a hardware perspective
From a technological perspective, the only thing that makes the Pop “smart” is an accelerometer and Bluetooth. It’s really barebones from a hardware perspective, which lends it a more simplistic, elegant design. The secondary dial fills up as you reach your preprogrammed steps goal for the day. Battery life is fantastic, as you only need to swap the rear juicer out every eight months.
The real magic happens in the Withings Health Mate iPhone app, which is a free download in the App Store. Once you pair it with the watch over Bluetooth, you’re off to the races.
Inside the app you get a helpful breakdown of the day’s activity, with health tips catered to your behavior. The effect is kind of like having a personal life coach telling you to sleep or workout more.
The Pop’s accelerometer can detect when you’re walking and running, and the watch is waterproof up to 50 meters. Withings says the Pop supports swimming tracking, but the feature hasn’t been enabled yet in the app.
The Pop also knows when you’re sleeping, and it can even vibrate your wrist to wake you up at the best time in your sleep cycle. I’m a sleep-tracking nerd, so I love that I can open the Health Mate app and see when I was in deep versus light sleep, how many times I woke up, etc.
From a visual perspective, the Pop is great. I’ve been wearing it for the last few days, and the silicone strap hasn’t been giving me any skin irritation. A light-up display would be nice for life’s darker moments, but it’s not a deal-breaker. The biggest problem I have is a software issue: Bluetooth syncing is slow and requires the Health Mate app to be open on the paired iPhone. Hopefully background syncing will be added in the near future.
The Pop is available in three colors: Azure, Shark Grey and Sand. Each comes with a matching wristband, and Withings says more wristband colors will be available in the near future.
You can buy the Activité Pop exclusively from Best Buy’s website for $149.95 in the United States, but availability is limited. Best Buy retail stores will start carrying the watch in March.
Alex Heath is a journalist who works for Tech Insider. He’s the former co-host of The CultCast. He has been quoted by the likes of the BBC, KRON 4 News, and books like “ICONIC: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation.” He lives in Lexington, Kentucky. If you want to pitch a story, share a tip, or just get in touch, additional contact information is available on his personal site. Follow him on Twitter.
12 responses to “Withings’ new Activité Pop is a smartwatch you’ll actually want to wear”
Having purchased (and returned) the Withings Activite’ pop, I can say it is not something I would wear: It is not a good watch, at least as sport watches go. First and foremost, there is no lum on the hands….so it does not glow in the dark — yet you are supposed to wear it while sleeping.
Second complaint: the domed crystal will not last long…it will be banged in to things, and at best, be scratched up…at worst, shatter.
Third: it is too small for my wrist.
How did you buy it so soon? I’d like one myself you see..
It was available on line at best buy, but sold out quickly. It could be really nice with two or three changes…lume on the hands, perhaps make it a little bigger (40 mm would be nice), and use a plastic composite crystal (include a polishing cloth). The crystal will scratch, but could be buffed out…or use a sapphire crystal.
What I did instead was buy a fitbit charge HR, wear it on my right wrist, and use my usual watches on my left wrist. (actually, as someone who has multiple watches, I do not want to be tied to one watch…)
Thanks, I’m in the UK /France so it’s going to be a while. by then hopefully the price will be down and as you say, some improvements. the glass does concern me..
I am not sure if the price is unreasonable — with a sapphire crystal and lume. I would also like to see a more robust case: better water resistance. But, that will make it harder to replace the batteries, which has to be done frequently (for a watch). Solution: bigger, with more battery.
Ae you sure I’ll actually WANT to wear this watch? How can you be so sure?
Just having fun playing My Cousin Vinny. ;-)
hmmm…I’ll wait for the Awatch.
i agree with most of Alex’s review. I just reviewed the Withings Activité POP. While it is a great entry level device, I believe the price is still slightly high. $99 would have been a winner. Unfortunately, while this model is cheaper than the previous one which retails for $450, it is much easier to scratch without the scratch-proof sapphire glass.
//Shmou
@krishdtech
Im guessing the price will sink to 99 before too long. The competition with Jawbone’s budget solution and others is going to only increase. I’d love to see a reduction in the more expensive sibling.
Useless post biased go stick your mac to your ass
Useless comment