The tech blogs are all abuzz today over Bayer’s new DIDGET meter, designed just for kids, which integrates BG testing into the world of video games:
“Bayer’s DIDGET is the first and only blood glucose meter that connects directly to Nintendo DS and DS Lite and helps kids manage their diabetes by rewarding them for consistent testing habits with points to unlock new game levels and options. Bayer’s DIDGET meter is made for kids ages 4-14 and grows with the child’s ability to manage their diabetes.”
The design is derived from the earlier, independently created “GlucoBoy” application, championed by our very own Scott Hanselman. You can view a product demo online here.
According to Popular Science, the DIDGET now sells for $74.99 and is available at various pharmacies. Though it hooks up to a Nintendo DS, you don’t need one to use it.
So what do I think?
I think it’s hugely exciting to see this kind of integration of diabetes/medical devices with consumer technology, of course!
I’ve never been a kid with diabetes (late diagnosis!). And I have not yet played with the DIDGET myself. But as Kerri posted last summer, adding a little “fun” to BG testing has got to be a good thing for kids. “Hell, I’d like to have that kind of positive reinforcement NOW, thank you very much,” she adds.
As a parent, my only concern would be the transient nature of toys. By that I mean my kids BEGGED me for the $40 GoGo Dogs a couple of years ago for Hanukkah. They played feverishly with them for several weeks — before the dogs landed in the heap-o-toys basket that I call the “play graveyard.”
Same goes for the Nintendo DS. My girls were absolutely MAD for this system about a year ago. They begged us for new $30 games, fought over them rabidly, and stopped looking us in the eyes for weeks on end while they played, played, played — until they lost interest. (Also, the cat chewed through the charger cord.) Guess where the Nintendo DS is resting in peace now?
So I wonder, is that system still hot enough to capture D-kids imagination? Is it already passé? Or is it possibly just perfect for a certain age window, that may not last long?
I’d love to hear from any parents considering the DIDGET for their kids with diabetes…
I’m inclined to agree, although with video games (for boys, at least) there’s a more ongoing nature because it’s not the device itself, but the neverending stream of new games that keeps interest. My only concern is the notion that we should somehow reward “being in target” rather than rewarding the notion of testing regardless of the result. That’s a big mistake that will cause kids to cheat or lie about results; I know because I did the same thing when I was growing up. Instead, we should reward the idea of testing regardless of the result, because the information from the test can be used for valuable purposes regardless of the result. Other than that, perhaps this will have only a limited time value because sooner or later, kids will grow out of these things, but hopefully the seed of testing will be planted. But I do question the price tag; Bayer benefits from this on all sides, and they really should be giving this thing away, much like any other meter is given away … what’s with the $79 price tag?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by DiabetesMine, Susan Promislo, james biskey, Jamie Naessens, JCampbell and others. JCampbell said: DiabetesMine: My Take: Bayer’s Nintendo-Enabled DIDGET Glucose Meter Available Now http://bit.ly/bKWV8l #diabetes [...]
My boys have been glued to these devices for years…they have not lost their shimmer…not even a little bit. But I’d like to hear more about this Didget, get a better feel for it before I ask to switch over from our current one touches. I’ll be interested to hear what the kids think after having it around for a few weeks. I also agree with Scott’s comment…I don’t want any incentives for fudging numbers. I’m torn on this one.
Both my boys (13 and nearly 8) thought this would be cool to have. I imagine it will depend on whether or not the game(s) associated are any fun. They are DS fans but their interest comes and goes. They both have newly filled one touch scrips though, so it’ll be 3 months before we consider getting one.
whoops, I tried to type 8 and it ended up as a cool smiley. Though he is a cool kid…
I think it all depends on the quality of the “game”. It will be good to here from some ultimate users – the kids. It certainly is an interesting idea!
My question again would be: Is it Mac compatible? I didn’t see in the user guide any specifications about computer compatibility.
I believe the Bayer Contour USB meter is Mac compatible.
I would hope moving forward that companies who produce glucose meters would make them Mac-compatible so that the data can be downloaded.
As the parent of an almost-six-year-old type 1, I would love to give this meter a test drive.
My daughter likes the sticker chart we use for pump changes. Simple rewards can be a positive reinforcement. Though she rarely asks for stickers any more. But when she does…she gets one!
As a Nintendo family, we have more Nintendo DSs than we have people in our house. I think it depends on the kids. As our niece/nephew/cousins ages 6-13 all have DSs and play them regularly…. that just might be their thing. I think it is great. I wish Nintendo would do that more. Like integrate Wii Fit with Weight Watchers so people can transmit their weigh ins online. Awesomeness. Or link up with the workout games so activity points could be calculated for you and integrated into the WW website.
I think this is just the beginning.
I also agree with Lorraine’s comment about depending on the game. The DS may be more interesting/cool to other users if they played games more targeted to their interests. There are tons of games out there and not all of them get the same media craze that the big Mario games do.
Sadly, this is based on an earlier design of the Nintendo DS and not the current DSi or DSi XL. The difference is that older models used to allow players to attach really old games from their Game Boy Advance. Latest versions of the Nintendo devices lack that connection. Thus, Didget’s use is limited to older DS Lite or DS units. As a gadget geek, one of the things to fear is that the original site lacks any images of the included games, this is usually done in order to hide a bad user experience.
GlucoBoy has been available for some time in Australia and I’ve yet to come past a review of the device there. I did bother the original maker of the device about two years ago who said that there was more info coming soon. Then Bayer bought them.
For kids, I think that this might be a good thing but will reserve final judgement for when I get to play this in my DS.
Sadly, the “Play Game Now” link isn’t working so I can’t see if kids would be rewards only for good sugars vs. regular testing. Honestly, kids really do love immediate feedback loops and this might be a great way to get kids to test more regularly (or even to show off a game that their friends don’t have).
This device has been out in Australia for years and it appears that Bayer brought the device up a notch by adding a reconfigured Contour meter to it. A smart idea since the strips that originally shipped in Australia used a proprietary strip that only worked with the Glucoboy. Also, it appears that Bayer improved the older user interface on the device too.
Like Scott, I would be concerned with the point system in the game since kids might choose to not test their sugar if their blood is high if that means that they’ll gain a lower in-game score. On a higher level, I do like the idea behind the device since kids are really more accustomed to immediate feedback loops about their performance and do like rewards for performance. Plus, it’s a good way to inform non-diabetics about the disease which I think is very important for all of us.
Now the sad news, the Didget only plugs into the DS and DS Lite devices which happen to be the ones your older kids used. Newer DSi and DSi XL devices will not work since they don’t have the right connector.
Still, I’d love to try one. And if Bayer can get a device like this into a mini unit that plugs into my iPhone, I’m sold.
Uh…I want it for me and my pretty pink DS…I’m checking my BGs anyway, i might as well have fun. I think any innovation here is a bonus…a building block for iPhone plug-ins and whatnot later on. It all starts somewhere!! Now, off to Wal-Mart!
That’s the problem with medical devices — they take so long to get FDA approval / come to market that the technology is often 2nd generation or older by the time they’re out. It’s an even worse problem now as they begin to integrate with consumer electronics! Grrrrr.
Great writeup, thanks a lot was really informative.
I’m concerned that the $75 price tag is high — would you pay that for a regular meter?
I`m in total agreement with Amy on this & maybe something worthy of a
future feature for you to consider on here.
We received our Didget meter a week ago. My son is very good about testing and does not need extra encouragement. But I love how he can enjoy something positive about of having Diabetes, not just the hurtful testing and needles. Our meter was free with the purchase of test strips. Unfortunately Bayer has discontinued the meter.