[Exclu] We tested the Jawbone UP3. Impressions.

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Very absent from CES and MWC, Jawbone made a timid appearance at the Wearable Technology Show 2015 in London. The giant of Quantified Self has therefore chosen this meeting far from the crowd to exhibit a few copies of its latest smart health connected bracelet, the Jawbone UP3. Very controversial due to its production delays, the physical activity sensor does not remain less efficient. NOTWe were able to take over a version (not finalized) for a few moments. Jorgen Nordin, the international product manager, gave me feedback in real time. Two points will be discussed in detail: the firmware and the design.

The firmware will evolve a lot (fortunately)

The Jawbone UP3 aims to replace the UP24 to establish itself as the new flagship of the American start-up. It is also the first smart health connected bracelet not to use Motion X technology to measure physical activity. Jawbone developed its technology in-house for this new sensor, and it's a small revolution. Even if you have to wait a little longer before you can put it on your wrist (no way to get a specific date, they just say it will happen "soon", ie April or May …) , it must be recognized that the device has potential.

And this potential is above all its famous bio-impedance sensor which gives it. In reality, there are even 4 of these sensors that are directly integrated into the rubber strap and that take information from the inside of the wrist. In the first version of the device firmware, I have the impression however that the bio-impedance sensors will have a rather limited role. But Jorgen Nordin explained to me that many firmware updates will be deployed in the months following the release of the product, allowing to significantly improve the performance of the smart health connected bracelet. Without being able to officially announce them to me, I managed to understand that there would already be the following three developments:

• The UP3 should eventually go into sleep mode automatically (same for day mode)

• He will be able to measure the heart rate at any time (as opposed to once in the morning)

• It will see its autonomy extended, like the UP24 (from 7 to 14 days?)

Honestly, this information is a bit surprising since originally, I thought that the mode change (sleep / day) would be automatic, as is the case with many competitors (Withings, Misfit …). In fact, you will have to press and slide simultaneously on the front of the UP3 to switch from one to the other. Two LEDs allow you to see which mode you are in (and a third displays the notifications).

The fact that heart rate is also only measured once a day is somewhat surprising. Jawbone is justified by the fact that this measurement taken in the morning upon waking ("Resting heart rate") is much more relevant if we look at the long term. As I saw on their mobile app (the current app will be officially updated later to accommodate this information), a graph shows a history of the early morning heart rate for the past 30 days. Thereafter, the user should be able to measure the heart rate by using the sensors more often, but I imagine that it will be at the expense of the battery …

The design is really nice

If the first photos of the smart health connected bracelet did not necessarily appeal to me, I clearly changed my mind when I discovered it during the event. The Jawbone UP3 (which was designed by Yves Béhar, just that!) Is essentially composed of two parts: the one which appears as fleece on the front and which incorporates the sensors, and the one which is made of rubber (the bracelet directly) . The model that I was able to take in hand was still a developing version, suddenly the bracelet was a little damaged and took a little dust. Hope that in the final version, the bracelet is slightly better maintained.

In addition to these two parts, there are the 4 metal bio-impedance sensors which are located inside the bracelet (and which do not feel) as well as the closure, which is also made of metal. You will have to slide one part into the other to close the bracelet, it's simple, quick and solid.

The part that hides the technique is really well rounded, suddenly it sticks entirely to the wrist. Jorgen Nordin explained to me that it is absolutely essential that the bio-impedance sensors be glued to the skin so that they can measure the data precisely, it is also for this reason that the UP3 takes such shape wrist.

If the old UP24 was rigid and available in 3 sizes, I appreciated the return to the classic adjustable bracelet. There is no angle or solid part, so there is no gene to have. And even if it is slightly heavier than the UP24 (29 grams against 22 grams), but it is absolutely not felt. It remains lighter than the latest Fitbit Surge Superwatch (32 grams).

The black version that I could try is really sober and elegant, and it fits really discreetly on the wrist. For those who do not want to put their fitness tracker forward, it is among the best compromises on the market. There will also be the silver version which will be released at first, but it will take a few months to see new colors (especially red) arrive.

If you want to see the full specs of the Jawbone UP3, it's here.

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