Philosys has received an FDA 510(k) clearance for the Android version of its smart glucometer companion app, called Gmate Smart.
The device now works with Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, and S5 devices that have an Android operating system 4.0 or higher as well as Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad with iOS version 5.0 or higher. Philosys received an FDA clearance for the iOS app last year, in August, but it's had a European CE Mark since 2012.
The Gmate Smart glucometer connects to the app by plugging in the glucometer through the audio jack. From there, users insert a test strip into the glucometer, add a blood sample, and view results on the app.
With each test that a user takes, they can add notes to accompany the reading, including nutrition data, fitness data, or medication information. The app also offers a log so users can look back at old readings. Users can search through old readings by date or view charts of average blood glucose test results within one, seven, 14, 30 and 60-day periods.
The Gmate Smart device is available at Kmart and BestStrips, a diabetic testing supply store, according to the company's website. In BestStrips' online store, the device sells for $24.95, though this does not include test strips, and a box of 50 Gmate test strips cost $17.95.
Earlier this month, another company focused on developing a smartphone-connected glucometer, Akibah, launched a crowdfunding campaign for a connected glucometer smartphone case, called GluCase. GluCase stores all the tools that are normally included in a glucose meter kit including a test strip dispenser, a lancet, and a sensor — no additional carrying case is needed.
