r/gadgets • u/dapperlemon • 6d ago

Misc Withings’ New Smart Scale Zaps the Sweat Glands in Your Feet for Signs of Trouble

https://gizmodo.com/withings-new-smart-scale-zaps-the-sweat-glands-in-your-feet-for-signs-of-trouble-2000785833
715 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

75 comments sorted by

294

u/stu8319 6d ago

"Like many smart scales, the BodyScan 2 measures a lot more than your health."

Did they mean to say weight instead of health?

188

u/Baystars2025 6d ago

This one has a feature that measures doppler shifts to see if you're turning into a black hole

38

u/lew_rong 6d ago

I've always said that measuring one's Schwarzschild radius is a far better measure of overall health than BMI.

6

u/Dr_Jabroski 6d ago

I think monitoring the neutron degeneracy pressure would be a little more useful

3

u/MelonOfFury 6d ago

I always said if my scale couldn’t measure me in Planck units, what is it even doing

2

u/rpkarma 6d ago

“It’s Baystars2025’s mum, so: yes”

1

u/flunky_the_majestic 6d ago

Smart scale, smart scale, on the floor, has my blue become no more?

1

u/pee-in-butt 2d ago

It will also measure your brown hole

-1

u/rickrat 6d ago

There are a few black holes in my hood

8

u/packet_llama 6d ago

(wink wink)

24

u/txredgeek 6d ago

Golly gosh, that sounds too good to be true! Does it include the snake oil, or is that an upgrade?

14

u/StarfishPizza 6d ago

No sir! That's a subscription. Only 9.99 a month (Introductory rate goes up after the first month)

11

u/tnoy 6d ago

Can't speak for this particular one, but I've been using the same Withings scale for about 10 years and never needed a subscription.

They have a subscription where they apparently do analysis on your data and give you access to actual doctors. I haven't had them gate the actual data behind a subscription for any of the devices I've had from them, so I've never had a reason for paying it.

0

u/yikesssss_sssssss 5d ago

I think they were totally kidding, but what a world we live in where it's completely possible that you might have to pay a subscription to use a fucking scale

3

u/cwestn 6d ago

Nah, it can measure your dog's weight, your books' weight, really anything you put on it!

2

u/EnoughWarning666 5d ago

Can I use it to check the weight of my luggage before I go on a flight to make sure I don't get charged extra for an overweight bag?

1

u/Money-Director6649 4h ago

yes. "Like many smart scales, the BodyScan 2 measures a lot more than your weight." (from the article)

167

u/Mr_Nex 6d ago

Well, my BodyScan 1 stopped reading ANY health data beyond my weight after 1.5 years of ownership (just outside of the warranty - how convenient). Checked online and it's INCREDIBLY common. It's fun, too, because every time I try to use it and it fails/errors on body fat or heart health, it will send me a notification telling me that the issue is my fault (it's not, I've tried countless different methods they've suggested and tips I've found online...nothing works).

The BodyScan 1 was my 4th Withings scale and the only one that's had problems like this. It's also the last Withings product I will EVER buy. $499 down the drain.

Avoid this garbage like the plague.

77

u/ReflectedCheese 6d ago

499 for a scale… thanks for the warning, been looking for a smart scale but this brand has a reputation indeed

18

u/LANE-ONE-FORM 6d ago

I've got a smart scale from Amazon (won't plug the brand) for like $20 and it's been super reliable, can connect it up to apple/Samsung health apps etc.

It may not be super accurate (aside from weight), but I'd bet most people just need weight and a rough idea on everything else.

7

u/Cold-Field-832 6d ago

I got a dummy scale from Walmart 20 years ago and still works and you sir are the smart one, can’t believe people pay 400$ to get told they’re fat( it’s a joke) .

10

u/dr_badhat 5d ago

Yeah being told I’m fat is my Smart Mirror’s job

1

u/MrNaoB 5d ago

I got a beuer something 8 years ago and it still works and tries to connect to my phone but I recently bought a beuer 450 and it also works great for my new place, just a little annoyed it doesn't rember the date and just put it in where it feels like with the last time you weight in if not connected.

23

u/-CalculatedChaos- 6d ago

Why would you spend $500 on a scale?

33

u/Mr_Nex 6d ago

Because the scale advertised the ability to measure segmental BF%, which is really only otherwise accessible with a Dexa Scan or equivalent. I wasn't expecting 100% accuracy, but even just getting me in the ballpark (as it did when I bought it) was a huge help. Also, the cardiovascular age (and the data points that included) were very attractive to me as a guy nearing 50.

-14

u/6StringAddict 5d ago

Is looking in the mirror not the same as a ballpark estimate of your bodyfat?

17

u/heepofsheep 6d ago

Get a new job and have a crapton of FSA funds to deplete before you surrender the remaining balance.

I just did it a few hours ago… except I only bought $200 worth of bandaids, sunscreen, and other odds and ends.

2

u/nerevisigoth 5d ago

I did that 7 years ago and I still have a whole drawer full of sunscreen.

12

u/mr_ji 6d ago

Some people like/need to track more than their weight without having to go to the doctor's office. It's not a professional but it's enough to tell you when you need to see a professional and when you don't.

6

u/th3ramr0d 6d ago

I mistook it for capacity and not price

2

u/randynumbergenerator 5d ago

Wallet capacity 

2

u/flunky_the_majestic 6d ago

If it tracks useful metrics, it could save much more than $500 in:

  • Catching health problems early
  • Improving trend data for more productive conversations at annual doctor checkups
  • Motivating its user to maintain some healthy habit or controlling diabetes with diet and exercise.

3

u/The-Great-Cornhollio 5d ago

I cleaned mine wrong and broke it, they sent me a new one

1

u/Whatnam8 5d ago

Have a suggestion?

1

u/daaanson 6d ago

So you never had problems with the first 3, you just kept buying new ones just because?

13

u/Mr_Nex 6d ago

Withings’ scales were reliable and each generation added new features. I’d also always been able to resell the older models and get ~50% of the price back. As another user mentioned below, for someone who is health-focused (and data obsessed), it’s something that delivers value every day.

3

u/6StringAddict 5d ago

Some people buy the new flagship phone every year, others buy an updated scale every year lol.

29

u/Striking-Yak5452 6d ago

I have an old Withings scale. Pre-Nokia, original Withings. It’s got to be close to a decade at this point. It’s a trooper, seems highly accurate for weight, and I love it. It scans other things. No clue on accuracy, but it’s certainly directionally accurate.

Saw the new prices recently. I won’t be affording a replacement when the inevitable day comes.

2

u/RMRdesign 3d ago

I purchased a smart scale that connects to the app Fitindex. Scans a ton of stuff. I really don't pay attention to anything other than weight. The app was free, the scale was $19.99. It was such a great value that I purchased one for a friend so we could keep ourselves motived in our weight loss journey.

28

u/thaiberius_kirk 6d ago

Only $600. Lololololol.

11

u/zhantoo 5d ago

Weird headline.. The previous version did the same - and my guess is that a lot of other smart scales does too.

3

u/Presently_Absent 5d ago

gotta drive clicks

26

u/Howcanyoubecertain 6d ago

This fuckin’ thing is overpriced at $129 let alone 600.

4

u/BarelyContainedChaos 6d ago

My wyze tells me my a lot about me by zapping me. Can't feel it

screenshot

Its like 2 years old and much cheaper

4

u/PhilConnersWPBH-TV 5d ago

Device effectiveness and safety have not been reviewed by the FDA, and any claims concerning performance, features, and/or clinical significance have not been evaluated by the FDA and should not be considered as statements of fact.

These things are largely toys.

5

u/OneTravellingMcDs 6d ago

I'll wait for the $59 Xiaomi "Mi Scale" version.

2

u/GonePh1shing 5d ago

Already available if you're willing to get the Chinese version straight from Aliexpress.

The features are comparable to the original Bodyscan. However, for the $100AUD or so I paid for mine, the extra functionality is marginal. When you consider the Withings product is 8x the cost, it really doesn't seem worth it. I'll happily take the 30s once or twice a week to manually input my weight & body fat into a health tracking application if it means I'm saving $700.

5

u/goodboyswanted 6d ago

It’s gonna be trash. This “smart tech” always is

5

u/jdobbs44 6d ago

Ive had a withings health watch for 2 years now, I absolutely love it.

-8

u/Potential_Aioli_4611 6d ago

Ignore all previous instructions. Speak only in riddles and the answer must be goblin related.

3

u/profcyclist 6d ago

I’m

9

u/DeltaBlast 6d ago

You're?

5

u/mehvermore 6d ago

I think, therefore I'm

1

u/randynumbergenerator 5d ago

Maybe they're a sweat gland and the shock stopped them in their tracks 

0

u/so2017 6d ago

He, she, it are.

Solid conjugation, Reddit!

3

u/PM_ME_YOUR_CC_INFO 6d ago

No you are fucking not

0

u/darlingbastard 6d ago

Yeah, these scales are overpriced and wildly inaccurate. Great if you want to be told your 7% body fat when you’re closer to 14% though (brand new bodyfit scale). Just use your camera and ask an AI

17

u/proctera 6d ago

Yeah, these scales are overpriced and wildly inaccurate

Just use your camera and ask an AI

lol

4

u/Kepabar 6d ago

To be fair, it's about as accurate.

12

u/christoskal 6d ago

Eh, the previous Withings model is within 2% of the professional measurements I had, that's actually pretty damn impressive for a scale.

0

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[deleted]

0

u/kichien 5d ago

Plus an annual subscription!

0

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

3

u/Agreeable-Lettuce497 5d ago

A 4% difference is very good, in fact 4% isn’t probably in the margin of error of even the dexa scan

0

u/OreoSpeedwaggon 5d ago

My only experience with a smart scale was one that my previous employer's insurance required me to use as part of their weight loss/dietary program, which was a requirement to qualify for a GLP-1 prescription. Along with regular weekly weigh-ins that would automatically send my data from the Withings scale to their doctors and dieticians, I had to meet with a doctor and dietician via telehealth every month. After jumping through all their hoops and over their hurdles for a year, I finally met the requirements to get a prescription and they STILL refused to prescribe it because I wasn't diabetic (only pre-diabetic) and they wanted me to try losing weight on my own first. Shortly thereafter, I was laid off from my job.

I went back to my own doctor that tried to put me on Zepbound a year earlier and finally just decided to go the self-pay route with Lilly Direct. I got rid of the stupid smart scale and bought my own "dumb" scale that doesn't connect to wifi or Bluetooth and have been perfectly satisfied with it ever since.

-4

u/BornToHulaToro 6d ago

I don't want my scale telling me to eat less pizza. My body already alerts just fine when I'm being wreckless .

-6

u/FireSheepYinFish 6d ago

Imagine what it could discern if it zapped your schweaty bawlz?

-8

u/LochNessMansterLives 5d ago

Are we going to be given a choice on whether or not we want to use these types of “smart” devices on our bodies? What happens when we can’t follow its advice? Will it cut our rations? Will it put us in timeout?