Polar makes API free to third party developers
Polar has announced it is opening up its application programming interface (API) to third party developers.
An API is a set of subroutine definitions, protocols and tools for building application software. Or more simply, a set of clearly defined methods of communication between various software components.
With user permission, developers can access Polar Open AccessLink and gain access to information such as weight, height, exercise intensity, daily activity and more. Basically, anything that’s sitting in Polar Flow, a developer can now access. This provides anyone who wants to integrate Polar’s data into their software, the building blocks to do so.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets for 2017
After developing their first wireless heart rate monitor, Polar has grown in the wearables market. The company currently sells a range of smartwatches, fitness trackers, bike computers, heart rate monitors and chest straps, so data from all of these is fair game.
For now developers can only query new data and don’t have access to historical statistics. Also, there is only read access, with write access possibly to follow in the future.
In all likelihood, Polar is doing this to strengthen its connections with the lucrative health, insurance companies, fitness clubs and corporate market. All of these may have an interest in offering personalized programs.
To use the service you need to open a free Polar Flow account and register as a third party developer.
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