Jawbone Cites Manufacturing For Recent UP3 Delay

Jawbone's UP3 health tracker is having difficulties again before coming to market. The release date has been pushed back before. The third generation health tracker device was originally slated to be ready by the end of 2014. The company has been seized with delays, missing crucial opportunities like the 2014-2015 holiday shopping season. The newly announced 10-11 week delay would put the UP3's release in May. Hopefully, all of the new additions to the UP3 will keep it ahead of the curve in the competitive health tracker device market. Such a delay gives room to competitors to up their stake in the market.

The UP3 will be adding heart rate monitoring and a new bio-impedance sensor, which would make for more accurate tracking. Jawbone is also updating their firmware for the UP3. It plans to be able to track respiratory rate and hydration rate through a galvanic skin response.

Originally, Jawbone started taking pre-orders for the UP3 in November. They are still taking pre-orders and have offered their first wave of pre-order customers a $40 credit or am Up Move, which is their more basic, clip-on health tracker.

Jawbone is blaming their manufacturing for this latest delay, citing their need to maintain quality before their bring the UP3 to market. This may frustrate pre-order customers, but they may be making a wise choice. Four years ago, Jawbone recalled their original UP band. They issued refunds to all customers who had bought the UP band. Jawbone had to completely redesign the device before bringing it back to market.

Source: Tech Crunch