Consumer

Some 58 percent of smartphone users have downloaded a health-related app, according to a NYU Langone Medical Center study of 1,604 US smartphone owners conducted in June 2015.

Based on its recently revealed third quarter results, Fitbit continues to grow on nearly all fronts.

Fitness device maker Polar recently launched a new wristworn activity tracking device, called Polar Loop Crystal, in partnership with Swarovski.

iHealth Lab has commercially launched a new version of its smartphone-connected blood pressure monitor, one that will run patients just $39.

Palo Alto, California-based Lumo Bodytech, which offers posture and activity tracking devices, has raised $10 million in a round led by WuXi Healthcare Ventures with participation from existing investors Madrona Venture Group, Innovation Endeavors, AME Cloud Ventures, and Innovalue Capital.

On it's third quarter earnings call, Teladoc announced continued growth and a number of new customers, but also stopped to address what appears to be growing investor unrest about the per member per month (PMPM) payment model, likely inspired by competitor Doctor on Demand.

Sports Authority, a sporting good retailer, has launched its first fitness app, called BodyFit, which offers users access to more than 100 personal training videos.

Fitbit Surge Jawbone has filed an answer and counterclaim against Fitbit in response to the patent infringement lawsuit that Fitbit filed in early September, according to TechCrunch.

Just last week, the Consumer Electronics Association released guidelines about privacy policies for health and fitness devices.

One of the great but nebulous promises of wearable health trackers is that, by monitoring something 24-7 that previously was only ever monitored intermittently, it will help us discover new things about our bodies and health.