The new fitbit knows when you’re stressed—and how to help you chill

Tuesday, August 25, 2020 - 18:21 in Psychology & Sociology

The design matches Fitbit's typical aesthetic. (Fitbit/)Stress abounds in the world at the moment. If we lived in the Ghostbusters II universe, that angry pink ooze would be pouring out from every possible manhole cover. But Fitbit thinks it can help. Today, the Google-owned company introduced a gaggle of new smartwatches and fitness trackers, including the new Sense, which claims it can help measure—and mitigate—your stress levels as you go through the day. The $329 Sense looks as you’d expect from a Fitbit smartwatch with its rounded-square shape and AMOLED display. Put your hand over the screen, however, and a built-in electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor will measure electrical activity in your skin along with other vital signs (like heart-rate) to try and discern just how stressed out you’re feeling in the moment. The Sense breaks down the data and assigns you a score—higher numbers mean you’re doing a better job dealing with...

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