Let me start by telling you that I am a Zeo fan. The bedside unit has been with me for a couple of years now and has helped me understand and improve the way I sleep. Zeo (the company) is a pioneer in the emerging field of self-quantification (or lifestyle measurement). The bedside device helped me understand what was going on with my sleep pattern. Being able to compare the data with other people my age gave me a kind of perspective I couldn't get elsewhere.
I travel heavily. The problem with a bulky bedside unit is that you can't really take it with you on a long series of hotel nights. So, I was only able to get a partial look at the realities of the ways that I sleep.
I got very excited when the new more portable unit came out. The iPhone integration is the exact right idea.
Unfortunately, the software isn't ready for prime time yet.
It's taken more than a week to get to the point that I am hoping to have the system operating properly tonight. The data integration problems mentioned elsewhere really slowed my transition from the old version to the new. I simply couldn't get the iPad to run the software effectively (there is a data display bug that interferes with use when you view data in the landscape mode)
So, I added plugs to my nightstand and started to run the iPhone version.
Night 1, it collected the data but saved the date improperly (reporting as September 16 instead of November 10)
Night 2, it completely lost the data from that night's sleep
Night 3, solid data collection, operating properly, right date
Night 4, stopped collecting data after I got up and went to get a glass of water in the middle of the night.
Then, there's the question of using multiple devices on one account. I think I'd like to use the bedside version most of the time at home and the portable version on the road. Given the complexities of data integration already, I'm doubtful that there's going to be a quick solution for this.
My ideal system will take inputs from multiple devices online and integrate with offline data storage. Heck, I can't even find the topic in the FAQs.
So, hold off on this one. It's a good idea but they need to finish testing the software.
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Dec 10 2011
There's more.
The very friendly folks at ZEO gave me amazing customer service over the course of several weeks as they tried to make my product work. Unfortunately, the failures kept happening.
While I was very flattered by the treatment I received, there were so many operating issues that I started to feel like an employee of the company. Ultimately I asked for and received a refund.
Compare this to my experience with the
Jawbone UP Band (which measures sleep and daily physical activity). When it became apparent that there were quality issues with the product, Jawbone immediately announced a No Questions Asked Money Back Offer that included a refund and a new device. In addition, there was no requirement that you return the device. Friendly customer service os one thing. You simply filled out the online form.
Taking full responsibility for product success is the gold standard.
If you want to become a member of a beta test team, buy the ZEO device. Otherwise, wait until they've got it right.
Again, I really like the people at ZEO and am a big fan of their other product. They never shied away from addressing my issues and gave great customer service. I just wanted a product that worked.