New Philips Mobile Health Devices Hit the Market

The medical-grade health monitoring devices connect to Philips's HealthSuite Health App and cloud-based analytics.

Chris Newmarker

Royal Philips on Monday announced worldwide availability of a host of health monitoring devices as the Dutch multinational continues to make a major push to expand in the mobile health space.

The medical grade devices--which include a health watch, connected scale, blood pressure monitor, and thermometer--are now available over a Philips website, as well as Amazon.

Philips first unveiled the devices last year as it elaborated on its ambitious plans for health tracking programs.

Prices range from $59.99 for the ear thermometer, which Philips claims can accurately measure body temperature in 2 seconds, to $249.99 for the health watch, which continuously and automatically tracks health biometrics including heart rate, activity, and sleep patterns. (The price is comparable to some Apple Watch models.)

The blood pressure monitor retails at $99.99 for the upper arm version and $89.99 for the wrist-worn model. At $99.99, the body analysis scale tracks weight, estimates body fat, and BMI.

All devices pair with a free Philips HealthSuite health app now available on iOS and Android. They key into the Philips HealthSuite digital platform. The open, cloud-based platform is able to collect and analyze health and other data from multiple devices and sources.

Philips executives see the collection of devices as upping the game when it comes to tracking of chronic health conditions--a potentially lucrative market as health payers ranging from governments to private insurers seek to rein in costs through better management of such diseases. 

"Our personal health programs have been developed in conjunction with leading doctors, psychologists, and other experts. They will allow individuals to accurately measure vital signs to understand how lifestyle choices affect their body; set goals and monitor their progress, and stay motivated," Jorgen Behrens, business leader at Philips Personal Health Solutions, said in a news release. 

The HealthSuite-related devices are but one of a number moves Philips has made in the mobile health space, including app-based ultrasound and a partnership with MIT for better brain injury monitoring.

Chris Newmarker is senior editor of Qmed. Follow him on Twitter at @newmarker.

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