Filed under: iPhone, App Store, iPod touch
First Look: Heart Monitor
If you run, or participate in sports, you can now use your iPhone to measure your heart rate in addition to listening to your favorite tunes. Last week we mentioned that Heart Monitor [iTunes link] would be released soon, and as it turns out, it was approved by Apple this weekend. I've been testing this application all week. Here are my results. This application can measure your heart rate using one of two methods. One way is to place the iPhone, microphone-down, on the bottom of your wrist, or chest -- this method produced poor results.
The other method, which works well, is to use the standard Apple headset/mic combo and place the microphone portion on your neck. Both methods are sketchy in a noisy room, as Heart Monitor uses sound to detect your heart beat.
If you are in a noisy location, you can use the "Pulse Count" tab to measure your heart rate manually. The application will walk you through counting your pulse rate for 10 seconds. Then, you will be prompted to press the corresponding button for the number of beats. The application will then log your heart rate in the "Results" tab. It would be nice to be able to export the results somehow (possibly through email).
The hardest part to using this application is finding your pulse, but the developer has included pictures and tips to help. Overall, Heart Monitor works as advertised and has a beautiful user interface that gets right to the point. Be sure to look at our gallery of screenshots. You can purchase Heart Monitor for $4.99 on the iTunes App Store.
Gallery: First Look: Heart Monitor
Thanks, John!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ramin said 1:29PM on 9-29-2008
There is a typo on one of the tutorial screens when it is telling you where the mic is. It says "Located htere"
Why pay $5 for an app, where the developer can't even be bothered to simply spellcheck their app...
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Flunky Carter said 3:25PM on 9-29-2008
Why bother with someone's 2 cents, when the commenter can't even be bothered to simply grammar check their post...
Paul said 3:53PM on 9-29-2008
Yes, never mind how well it works, let's judge an app by the presence of typing errors in the help section! I no longer believe the negative reviews of Windows Vista, having just been informed that there are zero typing errors in its help files.
tk said 9:00PM on 9-29-2008
when are people going to learn how to use a watch - count your beats for ten seconds and multiply by six.
Kendal said 2:08PM on 9-29-2008
Great review, guys!
Can't wait to try this app, but might wait for it to drop in price...
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Milan said 5:08PM on 9-29-2008
I actually bought this app, and although it was hard for me to get the pulse, once I found it the app gave me close to perfect results as my Polar heart rate monitor that I normally use. The real challenge will be once i take it in the noisy gym trying to read my heart rate while on a treadmill... But, overall, I'm very satisfied with this app.
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Mike said 9:37PM on 10-06-2008
How does this work with the iTouch?
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