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Samsung SIMBAND – Proper Health & Sports Tracking?

23 June 2015
the5krunner
Source: Telegraph
Source: Telegraph

Samsung today announced the SIMBAND.

Features were stated to include at least the following:

  • heart rate
  • blood flow
  • respiration
  • galvanic skin response
  • hydration
  • gas and glucose concentrations blood
  • substances carried in the surrounding air

Along with today’s GOOGLE announcement (similar but less close to market) this probably marks the start of the next round of the SMARTWATCH war.

The technologies alluded to here appear more advanced than marketleader FITBIT, who must be now concerned about the possibility of losing market share in this large and growing market.

The sensor array, although hidden in use, looks a bit ridiculous. However, coincidentally linking to an earlier post of mine today on optical HR accuracy, the multitude of the HR related sensors imply the potential of high level HR accuracy to Heart Rate Variability (HRV) levels. Indeed that would be needed (probably) to meet the above claims to measure RESPIRATION for example (breath per minutes is calculated from HRV).

This all seems to make Apple Inc look a little premature in releasing the under-specified Apple WATCH recently.

I might come back to look at this more later. In the short term I suspect medical uses will be discussed more widely than sport uses as that may well be a more lucrative market.

Last Updated on 13 January 2026 by the5krunner

My favourite kit and nutrition

  • Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
  • Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — A small keyring adapter you can use anywhere. Essential when away. I use one.
  • Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
  • Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
  • Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
  • Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
  • Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Wahoo. I use this model.
  • Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
  • Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
  • Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
  • Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.

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