All articles tagged with #health tech
A DC Rainmaker 24-hour peek at the Fitbit Air covers a full unboxing, initial hardware comparisons (to Whoop 5.0/MG, Polar Loop, and Amazfit Helio), and on-wrist shots for both Ray and his wife. The post signals a deeper look once a 24-hour data pass is analyzed in Google Health, including early running and cycling data, with plans to expand the review as more metrics come in.
Victoria Song argues that renaming PCOS to PMOS reflects a broader hormonal and metabolic condition, and that personalized health tech is not yet capable of reliably addressing chronic illnesses. While wearables and AI promise tailored guidance, PMOS manifests differently across individuals, interacts with insulin resistance and medications, and is influenced by factors like hormonal contraception, making universal personalization elusive. Despite industry optimism, real-world personalization still requires significant self-tracking, medical input, and trial-and-error, highlighting a gap between hype and what current science and healthcare systems can safely deliver.
A rumored Fitbit Air, a screen-free fitness tracker aiming to rival Whoop, is expected to launch around May 16 for about $99. It would focus on passive metrics like sleep, heart rate, HRV, and activity without a monthly fee, and would offer multiple color options and bands (Obsidian, Lavender, Berry) as Google continues to push into health wearables.
Fresh leaks and public sightings show Fitbit’s upcoming screenless wearable—a thin, band-like device meant for health metrics without a display, with live-data software glimpsed in a Pixel-style UI; its name remains undisclosed as it vies with WHOOP and Oura.
Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman unveiled Luffu, an AI-powered family health platform that aggregates data from devices like Apple Health and Fitbit, plus family-shared data via voice prompts, text, or photos, to track medications, diet, and sleep; it offers personalized answers and proactive alerts, and is currently in private testing with a mobile app first, with hardware devices planned later to cover the whole family (including pets).
Vivoo unveiled a smart toilet at CES 2026 that uses optical sensors to monitor hydration levels via urine analysis, offering over 1,000 tests per charge, and introduced the Hygenic FlowPad, a microfluidic menstrual pad that tracks fertility markers and health indicators, with availability and pricing details provided for the smart toilet.
Victoria Song recounts the evolution of the 'taint bandaid' into the 'taint zapper,' a device designed to delay premature ejaculation using electrodes, from its debut at CES 2020 to its final form after years of development.
At CES 2026, Nuralogix showcased the $899 Longevity Mirror, a smart mirror that uses transdermal optical imaging to assess health metrics and provide a longevity score, though its accuracy and medical validity should be approached with caution.
New toilet cameras like Kohler's Dekoda and Throne are emerging as tools to monitor gut health by analyzing stool samples through images, sparking debates about their necessity, privacy, and potential obsession with 'ideal' gut conditions.
Linda Yaccarino, former CEO of X, has been appointed as the CEO of eMed Population Health, an AI startup focusing on health technology related to GLP-1 drugs for weight management and diabetes, leveraging her negotiation skills and tech industry recognition to lead the company's efforts to improve global healthcare outcomes.
Oura, the smart ring maker, has secured a $75 million investment from glucose monitoring device firm Dexcom, raising its valuation to over $5 billion. This partnership will integrate Oura's rings with Dexcom's glucose monitoring technology, allowing users to track blood sugar levels and make informed health decisions. The first app integration is expected by mid-2025. Oura, which has sold 2.5 million rings, anticipates doubling its sales in 2024. This collaboration positions Oura and Dexcom against competitors like Apple, which is also exploring noninvasive glucose monitoring solutions.
Oura CEO Tom Hale stated that Apple is unlikely to launch a smart ring, despite speculation, as the company remains focused on the Apple Watch. Hale believes Apple is unconvinced about the value of a smart ring alongside a watch and is cautious about entering a challenging product category. Oura, a pioneer in smart rings, recently released its Oura Ring 4 amid growing competition in the wearable tech market.
Annie Lamont, a seasoned venture capitalist and Connecticut's First Lady, has made significant strides in health tech investing, achieving substantial returns with companies like AthenaHealth and Devoted Health. With a career spanning four decades, Lamont has adeptly navigated various tech cycles, now focusing on AI's potential in healthcare. Her firm, Oak HC/FT, continues to support innovative startups, leveraging her extensive experience and network to drive success.
Alina Su, CEO of Generation Lab, predicts a rise in young people joining the longevity movement, increased accessibility to longevity practices, and the establishment of more standards in the field. Her company offers the SystemAge test, which uses epigenetic blood tests to provide personalized health recommendations. Su emphasizes a shift from treatment to prevention in healthcare, aiming to empower individuals to optimize their health.
Oura Ring introduces a new feature called Symptom Radar, allowing users to opt in to experimental features to detect early signs of physiological strain by monitoring biometric trends like temperature, respiratory rate, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability. While not a diagnostic feature, it aims to provide users with alerts for significant changes and the option to prioritize rest. The company is cautious about billing it as an illness detection feature and is focused on helping users better understand their body's signals. This move aligns with a broader trend in the wearables industry, with Google also introducing a similar labs feature for Fitbit Premium subscribers.