Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Flickr Find, iPhone, App Store
Flickr Find: A polished weight tracking app
Having been a connoisseur of fine design since the first Mac hit the streets in '84, I'm always attracted to apps that have that certain polish that is associated with Apple products. That's why I was impressed when I went out and looked at the Flickr pool for Weightbot, an upcoming iPhone app that does one simple thing elegantly -- it tracks your weight.Designer Mark Jardine and developer Paul Haddad expect Weightbot to be released in the next couple of weeks, and it's an app I'd consider buying just for the looks! From the bathroom scale-like Weightbot mascot (at right) to the custom controls for entering your weight, it's apparent that Mark spent some time thinking about the look and user interface of the app, and that Paul was able to implement Mark's vision.
The custom date scroller is especially attractive and functional, making it easy to see at a glance when you entered your weight as you flick through the days. I look forward to seeing Weightbot and future iPhone apps from this team at Tapbots.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bernard Ramsey said 8:59AM on 10-09-2008
Wow, impressive graphics and looks useful. Looking forward to the release!
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Ed said 9:17AM on 10-09-2008
Given that most people's weight will fluctuate over the course of a day, I'm not sure how useful tracking daily weight is. Weekly might be more meaningful for those trying to shed the pounds. Great UI though.
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Big John said 10:42AM on 10-09-2008
Oy.
Do it at the same time every day. Tada!
Ed said 11:12AM on 10-09-2008
Sure, assuming you are doing the same activities and taking in the same calories at the same time every day.
mark said 12:16PM on 10-09-2008
That's why I've been using the existing iPhone app, True Weight, which takes that into consideration. And I always weigh at the same time, every day (first thing in the morning).
Weighing once a week is too infrequent for some of us. In a week, I can easily gain 5 pounds, if I don't stay on top of things. Weighing daily keeps me more aware of fluctuations.
ed said 1:50AM on 10-10-2008
Depends whether your looking long or short term. If you're trying to get rid of weight quickly or on a deadline (e.g. wedding coming up), then daily fluctuations are worth looking at.
If you're trying to go for steady weight reduction over an extended period of time (maybe six months or a year for example), then daily measuring can give a false reflection of progress (or lack thereof), and even encouraging fasting or over-exercising in some people. Over that time scale, it's tracking the trend that's important, not the small peaks and troughs.
RadicalxEdward said 9:20AM on 10-09-2008
I'll admit, I have a jailbroken iTouch and use a good handful of overpriced cracked apps. and normally i would wait for a cracked version of this. but i gotta say, the design is simply stunning. I can't wait till it comes out. This will be one of my few paid apps. the dev's really deserve it.
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Dan said 10:09AM on 10-09-2008
Very elegant, and the graphs (on the Flickr page) look promising. The weight tracking app I've been using - the free "WeightTrack" - is excellent, as well, though not terribly gorgeous, and with weaker graphs. It does have full daily tracking, daily metrics, ability to track progress toward goal weight, BMI (pretty inaccurate, actually, for most people), and the ability to synchronize with "This City is Going on a Diet" website, which is sponsored by Oklahoma City was a way to help residents to lose weight. You can make your entries via the site, as well, which anyone can join - you don't have to be a resident. Both the Oklahoma program and the iPhone app are free, so that's a plus.
Weight tracking can be really helpful if you're dieting. I've lost 20 pounds since I started using the iPhone to track. As I noted in my flickr comment, the odd thing about the photos of Weightbot is that the number they show is exactly what I weighed this morning.
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Marcello said 10:31AM on 10-09-2008
well, i was about to diss on this (like: you can do exactly the same thing with a text file) but i have to admit the gui is really nice. if the price is honest (i'd say
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Big John said 10:45AM on 10-09-2008
For the right price, I'll pick this up.
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CaptSaltyJack said 11:05AM on 10-09-2008
This app sucks. I stood on my iPhone to take my current weight, and the screen cracked. NEGATIVE FIVE STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
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Rory said 3:19PM on 10-09-2008
Steven, you may also like to take a look at True Weight.. http://www.madeupsoftware.com
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Dude1517Cool said 6:41PM on 10-09-2008
Is there any osx app that does something similar to this? I've been looking for a way to track my weight but alas I don't have an iPhone. :(
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Aaron H said 1:36PM on 10-10-2008
It's not an OSX app exactly, but you can use http://zealog.com and just do a web clip. They also have an iPhone web app, too.