BodyMedia taps Sprint for new health monitor apps and devices

Sprint Nextel Corp. (S) is expanding its partnership with BodyMedia Inc. to power embedded wireless devices such as armbands and body monitors that will be released later this year.
The devices will use Sprint’s machine-to-machine (M2M) platform to provide near real-time feedback and analysis, the carrier said.
“Embedded devices with always-on internet connectivity represent the obvious evolution for many of today’s WiFi- and Bluetooth-enabled devices,” said Wayne Ward, VP of emerging solutions at Sprint. “Sprint has a multi-faceted relationship with BodyMedia; in addition to being a founding Sprint ID partner, the BodyMedia FIT Armband has become an important part of Sprint’s employee health and wellness program. We are pleased to assist BodyMedia in the development of these next generation mobile health solutions.”
The companies have also developed a new line of applications that will be previewed at the Consumer Electronics Show this week. The BodyMedia ID pack will be available in the first half of this year.
“We’ve just taken our first baby-steps into mobile platforms with the recent launch of our Bluetooth-enabled Armband. With Sprint as our development partner, we now have the opportunity to create an innovative platform of wireless body monitoring systems that will revolutionize the body monitoring industry,” said Christine Robins, CEO of BodyMedia.