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Samsung S5 Reports Stress Levels Through Heart Rate Variability Measure

Posted by timothy on from the just-happy-to-see-you dept.

oztechmuse (2323576) writes "Samsung has just released an updated version of its health software for the Samsung Galaxy S5 that measures stress levels. Using the heart rate sensor on the back of the phone, the S5 will calculate a measure of stress from low to high. Although this may seem far-fetched to some, the phone is actually using a measure of the heart rate to calculate something called 'heart rate variability' or HRV. HRV has been shown to be related to a range of clinical conditions that include problems with the heart but also mental issues of stress and anxiety. Athletes have also used HRV as a measure of over-training and so use heart rate monitors to check if they need rest days. Samsung seems to be claiming the ground in terms of innovation in health-related sensor technology. In addition to the built-in pulse oximeter sensor used for the HRV measurements, Samsung phones now support direct connections to heart rate straps using the Ant+ protocol as well as through Bluetooth. Apple and others have a long way to go to catch up."

10 of 62 comments (clear)

  1. Nice Ad by 2ms · · Score: 4, Insightful

    And of course, we all know that this incredible breakthrough means that any health monitoring capabilities in future devices from a certain American company from Cupertino will only be late copies of awesome Samsung technologies like the Galaxy Gear and so many other wonderful innovations from this wonderful leader in consumer electronics.

    1. Re:Nice Ad by qval · · Score: 2

      Not to counter an ad with another, but has anyone here tried an emWave2, as blogged about here: http://www.bulletproofexec.com... It seems like it's the same thing the S5 is claiming, but as a separate device for $200. It'd be nice if phones could provide the same info for free/much cheaper. It looks like some HR bluetooth accessories can be paired with cheap apps to get a similar measurement. Any experience about their usefulness for stress management?

  2. Is this HIPAA data? by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Or will Samsung try to monetize it?

    What happens when your insurance carrier demands Samsung hand over this information?

    Sorry, but, there comes a point where I think having your phone have more and more of this information is going to become more of a problem than a benefit.

    And this is one of them.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    1. Re:Is this HIPAA data? by mythosaz · · Score: 3, Insightful

      ...except that's the opposite of the truth.

      Your health plan knows that it costs less, overall, to pay your bills if you regularly see your doctor and get your illnesses and maladies treated early. It's much, much easier to pay for the pills to keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check than to pay for your open heart surgery - even at their negotiated rates.

  3. Nice to know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    So, now I can see exactly how much stress the bloatware apps on my Samsung phone are causing me. Thanks!

  4. Panic-A-Tech (tm) by Destoo · · Score: 2

    But will it be able to tell you the difference between a heart attack and a panick attack?

    Would you be interested in a device that links to your smartphone and lets you know, even before it happens, whether you're having a panic attack - or a heart attack?
    - Yeah, yeah.
    OK, here's how Panic-A-Tech works.
    You wear this on your finger all day and it tracks your vitals.
    Or if that's too embarrassing, there's also a Bluetooth suppository and that goes right where you think it goes.
    And that comes with a retrieval kit.

    --
    Nouvelles de jeux et technologies en français. TC
  5. Re:Liberal Liars by drinkypoo · · Score: 2, Informative

    It's not insurance if everyone is "insured"

    Wait, what? I suppose it's not housing if everyone is "housed", and it's not food if everyone is "fed" as well?

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  6. Apple has had heart rate sensor support by Morty · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The comments in the summary "Samsung phones now support direct connections to heart rate straps using the Ant+ protocol as well as through Bluetooth. Apple and others have a long way to go to catch up." imply that Apple does not support third-party heart-rate sensors. The opposite is true. Apple has supported third-party heart-rate sensors for a while; see, for example:

    http://www.heartratemonitorsus...

    My former phone was a Galaxy S3. When I went hunting for heart rate sensors about 1.5 years ago, I could find plenty of heart-rate sensors that supported iphones, but none for Android. A newer release of Android (4.3, IIRC) got support for Bluetooth heart-rate monitors.

    1. Re:Apple has had heart rate sensor support by mspohr · · Score: 3, Informative

      This is just a Bluetooth monitor which is supported by all current model Android and Apple phones.
      What's really news here is that the Samsung phone supports the ANT+ technology which is used by a lot of sports sensors plus they have some nice software to analyze the data.

      --
      I don't read your sig. Why are you reading mine?
  7. FM Radio? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'd rather have the FM radio back, thanks.