Instant Heart Rate
by Jason Norment
Nov 18, 2010 12:45 PM –
Install
Instant Heart Rate. Measures your heart rate using the built-in camera. Place your finger gently over the camera. Hold it steady for at least 10 seconds. Your current heart rate will be shown on the display.
Price: Free
Version: 1.5.3
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Get your heart rate from your phone… how amazing is that!?!
- Quick and easy way to show off features of your Android device
- Allows social features to share your heart rate with others
Cons
- Accuracy is hard to determine
Features & Usefulness:
Let me just start off by saying this is pretty much a “show off your Android” app. The way it works is that using the camera and it’s flash, the application searches for subtle changes in color when your finger is pressed against the camera lens. The color changes are meant to represent your pulse. Instant Heart Rate then calculates your beats per minute based on the timing of the color changes, or in other words, your pulse. Pretty neat right? Of course, I haven’t found a viable reason to use it for anything other than showing it off to friends and family. Someone who may have not have access to a heart monitor consistently but would like to check your estimated heart rate every so often would find this app to be a perfect fit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJoySPppHAQ
Ease of Use:
Couldn’t be easier. Turn the app on, place your finger over the camera lens making sure it also covers the flash. Watch your heart rate appear on screen within a few seconds.