Want to know how much you weigh? Ask Google..

**Stuart** · 31-01-2010, 14:17

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/29/wiscale/

As part of their Google Health app, Google will soon be able to see your weight, if you by a special set of WiFi connected scales.

Not sure what to make of the whole google health thing. While it could be a good thing, why does Google feel the need to store personally identifiable data about us (and it *is* personally identifiable, you have to sign in with a Google account)?

Sasha222 · 31-01-2010, 17:18

Why anybody would want to advertise there weight and pay for it to be broadcast is beyond me. The simpe solution for the person to go to the doc and its private and then if the person is not happy with the weight then if they want do something about it. Cant see this thing taken of. The weight of a person is a very personal thing but I suppose some person will be fool enough to fork out money for this. Who knows

webcrawler2050 · 31-01-2010, 17:28

Hmmm.. This feels like a "data collection" exercise in my view. Seems to me, Google want to collect our data. Not sure though..

**Maggy J** · 31-01-2010, 17:44

However it is a matter of choice..it's not like you HAVE to tell them..

**Stuart** · 31-01-2010, 17:56

True. Still seems like a solution looking for a problem though. It's a lot of money to spend so you don't have to type a few figures in a few times a week.

Funnily enough, I am losing weight. How? Not by using anything like this. I don't use Google health. I don't use a set of digital scales (I have a set I bought a few years back, could never get them to work reliably). I don't use any of the iPhone apps they mention. I just eat sensibly and exercise regularly, following a regime given to me by the (rather attractive) woman who instructed me on the correct use of the machines at my local gym.

I *do* use my iPhone, but purely as a music/video player to relieve my boredom on the treadmill, exercise bikes and stair climber.

I just weigh myself on the scales at the gym.

Sasha222 · 31-01-2010, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by webcrawler2050

Hmmm.. This feels like a "data collection" exercise in my view. Seems to me, Google want to collect our data. Not sure though..

I suppose the only way they will collect the data if the person does supply the data to them. Better to stay away from them and then they wont have anything on us