Withings Go
Withings’ most affordable tracker yet doesn’t skimp on novelty
$80 Manufacturer Withings, withings.com Features Tracks steps, running, swimming, calories burned, sleep, and distance
The allure of a cool, capable smartwatch is strong, but sometimes all you need is a simple activity tracker. Withings Go, the company’s most affordable wearable yet, is just that: a small, circular sensor that can be popped out and placed into either a traditional watch form factor or a pedometer-like clip.
Included in the box are the watch and clip attachments in the color of your choice. Each configuration shows off its rather novel E-Ink screen, which lasts for up to eight months at a
time, thanks to its cell battery. The screen also doubles as a button, which you can push down to show more info. Meanwhile, pressing a finger down on the screen until you feel a click will switch the view to show the time.
Unlike some other wearables, the Go doesn’t track every activity under the sun, just the most common – running, walking, swimming, and sleeping. Tracking, in general, works well. Step monitoring is accurate, as is the device’s ability to track your sleep.
To get the Go up and running, you’ll need the Withings Health Mate app. Setup is simple, but a little slow compared to other devices that operate over a low-energy Bluetooth connection – it currently takes too long to make simple adjustments in the settings.
The app’s homepage and dashboard make it easy to parse through daily and weekly wrapups for personal reflection, while leaderboards allow you to face-off against your companions to see who can walk, run, sleep, or swim more. There’s also a calorie counter for diet trackers.
Admittedly, the tracker doesn’t offer GPS or heartrate monitoring, but for the price that’s hardly surprising.
the bottom line. The Withings Go is a perfectly good fitness tracker for those with perfectly simple needs.