new MioPOD Announced

MIO recently trailed a new announcement (here) and today it’s properly official: mioPOD

The new mioPOD is what the first generation of Mio devices should have morphed into in 2015/6 when their super-innovative optical HRM bands somewhat stalled in the marketplace as the larger GPS companies and smartwatch companies started to take over the leadership with the implementation of optical HR tech. Well, they’re here now and it looks like a great place to re-start. I’m pretty sure where they will be heading in the medium-term with the product including support for personalized training plans and gym class management. But, for now, I hope you’ll agree that combining ANT+/BLE broadcasting with an app that boasts Firstbeat analytics is a good place to start.

Here are some highlights

• Designed to be worn on the upper arm. Cleverly reducing the chance of error should they have chosen to make it a wrist-worn sports product
• Low-powered Valencell sensor for both long-life and a good chance of accuracy, indeed Mio claim “EKG-accurate heart rate data at performance-level speeds“
• in-app (mioAPP) Firstbeat features with Training Load, Training Effect (Aerobic and Anaerobic), Recovery Time and Calories Burned
• broadcasts HR over BLE and ANT+ to give a good chance of compatibility with most other equipment.
• Visual display of HR zone (app and LED) plus haptic feedback (vibration) when you switch training zone
• Onboard workout cache

mioPOD Specifications

• Performance-level Optical Heart Rate
• Resting Heart Rate
• Burned Calories
• Fitness Level
• Heart-Rate LIGHT Alerts
• Haptic Alerts
• Running Cadence
• Training Insights
• 5 ATM Water Resistant – swim proof
• Syncs with mioAPP
• Stores 30 Hours Of Workouts
• NFC / BLE / ANT+ Connectivity
• 24HR BATTERY LIFE claimed

Opinion

At US$99, this is more highly-priced than the Polar OH1+ and Wahoo Tickr FIT. It shares the same price as the Scosche Rhythm but is cheaper than WHOOP (Review).

The technical specs of the strap itself are nearly identical to the Scosche but you get the app functionality as well so you could probably argue it was correctly priced compared to the competition.

Sure, most people will end up using it linked to either a sports watch or other app so the benefits of the app may go unused. But I’m sure some of you WILL dive into the training and recovery metrics kindly provided by Fristbeat for the app. There is some extra training insight there for you.

Price: $99 from Mio Labs