Natural Cycles launches wristband to replace thermometers for its FDA-cleared birth control app

Natural Cycles, the institution down a arguable FDA-cleared commencement power app, is replacing its thermometer pinch a wristband that measures tegument temperature, bosom rate, and activity during sleep. The newly-launched wristband costs $129.99 and syncs pinch the Natural Cycles app, which uses an algorithm to find a person’s “daily fertility status.”

Users tin already way their fertility by pairing an Apple Watch aliases Oura Ring pinch Natural Cycles, but the wristband could beryllium an action for users who don’t person either of these devices handy. While Natural Cycles besides useful pinch newer Samsung Galaxy smartwatches and the Galaxy Ring, it’s meant for temperature-based play and rhythm tracking erstwhile utilized pinch these devices — not arsenic a measurement to forestall aliases scheme pregnancy.

Natural Cycles initially offered a basal thermometer pinch its yearly scheme (or disposable separately for $14.50) truthful users could return their temperatures manually. Natural Cycles spokesperson Lauren Hanafin tells The Verge that users tin proceed utilizing the thermometer if they presently person one. The FDA later gave Natural Cycles support to cod information from third-party devices, like the Apple Watch and the Oura Ring. Hanafin says the institution received authorization from the FDA to commencement utilizing different temperature-tracking wearables without requiring further approval, allowing it to motorboat the caller wristband.

Privacy concerns related to period-tracking apps grew pursuing the Supreme Court’s determination to overturn Roe v. Wade, but the Electronic Frontier Foundation notes that while users should reappraisal the information and privateness protections of the app they choose, they aren’t an “immediate threat” to abortion-seekers. Natural Cycles says it uses pseudonymization and encryption to conceal your information, while its set only collects information that’s “necessary.”

Natural Cycles first introduced its wristband to “select” group arsenic portion of the motorboat of its perimenopause characteristic successful October. The set supports Bluetooth 5.0 LE, and offers a artillery life of up to 14 nights aft it’s afloat charged via USB-C.

The Natural Cycles Band is disposable for acquisition for $129.99, and is besides included pinch the company’s yearly scheme for $149.99. Users who already person a Natural Cycles subscription tin upgrade to the set for $99.99 for a constricted time.