Fitbit was founded May 1, 2007 in San Francisco, California by James Park (CEO) and Eric Friedman (CTO). Fitbit is a wireless technology device that measures activity data such as: number of steps walked, steps climbed, heart rate, and quality of sleep. The manufacturer claims that the device inspires people to exercise more, eat better, and live healthier lifestyles. This is accomplished by the user wearing a wireless sensor (attached either to wrist or hip). These devices are able to sync up via wireless to a mobile device or a computer, which enables the users to look up their activity data.
Fitbit is excellent for runners, cyclists, and all-around cardio. Some devices can track your route and give you an update on the distance you've traveled, your heart rate, and your average speed. Some users have claimed that tracking your fitness every day can act as a motivator, while others claim it diminishes their performance because they get too focused on the numbers rather than the activity. All the Fitbit devices have the ability to sync wirelessly with a smart phone, but some higher end devices, like the Fitbit Blaze, also have extra capabilities. These include touchscreen, GPS, call/messaging, changing wrist bands, and remote media control.
Fitbit is for sale at a majority of retailers including: Amazon, AT&T, Best Buy, Brookstone, Dicks, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Rei Coop, Target, Verizon, Walmart, Dillard’s, Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy’s, and many other major/minor retailers. However, Fitbit has its drawbacks. Some people have complained of a lack of accuracy while using stationary equipment, such as a treadmill. This is because the Fitbit has not detected a change in your location and does not record any distance traveled. Some have also complained that the heart rate on early models was inaccurate, giving the false impression that the person’s workout was more beneficial than it truly was. Another complaint from many users is that, unlike some of Fitbit's competitors, the device is only water resistant and not totally water proof (Some competitors that do offer water proof devices include, Garmin, MisFit, and TomTom). Others complained about privacy issues. Upon initial setup of a new device you are asked a lot of personal questions regarding your weight, age, sex, etc. All of these questions are uploaded to a ‘public’ information site that anyone can access. While you can set your profile to private, some have complained the privacy setting is hard to find, and ultimately, they were not aware their profiles were made public.
In March 2015, Fitbit's product "Force" was subject to a major recall. The product was recalled because upwards of 10,000 users experienced skin irritation issues. The company recalled all the effected devices and gave the consumers a 100% refund.
How Fitbit Works?
Fitbit is designed to look for moving or kind of motion pattern wich are more messages or indicative of people walking. The algorithm checks about the motions more size, which must be large enough to setting a threshold. If the motion and its subsqeuent acceleration
measurement meet the threshold, the motions will be counted as a step. If it doesn't meet the required motion, then it will not have been counted as a step. Other factors can create enough accelerations to meet the threshold and cause some over counting of steps such as
Features: Heart rate tracker, activity tracking, gps through connected phone, 4 day battery life.
This device is considered one of the best fitness trackers. There is also Multi-Sport tracking that allows you to keep track of outdoor runs, walking, and weight training.
Fitbit Charge Surge
Features: Heat rate tracker, activity tracker, gps, 3 day battery life.
Comes with built in GPS technology, meaning you don't have to talk you phone with you. There is a slightly weaker battery life than other devices.
Fitbit Flex 2
Features: Two sizes, waterproof, 5 day battery life, Bluetooth connectivity.
Easy to use, uncomplicated. Able to use it in water. Basic tracking features. Slim, light design.
Overall, Fitbit is used by many people (about 23.2 million users as of 2017) to track their fitness activities and time. The manufacturer will continue to improve in the market of wearable technology along with its competitors.
Fitbit is excellent for runners, cyclists, and all-around cardio. Some devices can track your route and give you an update on the distance you've traveled, your heart rate, and your average speed. Some users have claimed that tracking your fitness every day can act as a motivator, while others claim it diminishes their performance because they get too focused on the numbers rather than the activity. All the Fitbit devices have the ability to sync wirelessly with a smart phone, but some higher end devices, like the Fitbit Blaze, also have extra capabilities. These include touchscreen, GPS, call/messaging, changing wrist bands, and remote media control.
Fitbit is for sale at a majority of retailers including: Amazon, AT&T, Best Buy, Brookstone, Dicks, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Rei Coop, Target, Verizon, Walmart, Dillard’s, Bed Bath & Beyond and Macy’s, and many other major/minor retailers.
However, Fitbit has its drawbacks. Some people have complained of a lack of accuracy while using stationary equipment, such as a treadmill. This is because the Fitbit has not detected a change in your location and does not record any distance traveled. Some have also complained that the heart rate on early models was inaccurate, giving the false impression that the person’s workout was more beneficial than it truly was. Another complaint from many users is that, unlike some of Fitbit's competitors, the device is only water resistant and not totally water proof (Some competitors that do offer water proof devices include, Garmin, MisFit, and TomTom). Others complained about privacy issues. Upon initial setup of a new device you are asked a lot of personal questions regarding your weight, age, sex, etc. All of these questions are uploaded to a ‘public’ information site that anyone can access. While you can set your profile to private, some have complained the privacy setting is hard to find, and ultimately, they were not aware their profiles were made public.
In March 2015, Fitbit's product "Force" was subject to a major recall. The product was recalled because upwards of 10,000 users experienced skin irritation issues. The company recalled all the effected devices and gave the consumers a 100% refund.
How Fitbit Works?
Fitbit is designed to look for moving or kind of motion pattern wich are more messages or indicative of people walking. The algorithm checks about the motions more size, which must be large enough to setting a threshold. If the motion and its subsqeuent acceleration
measurement meet the threshold, the motions will be counted as a step. If it doesn't meet the required motion, then it will not have been counted as a step. Other factors can create enough accelerations to meet the threshold and cause some over counting of steps such as
riding on a bumpy road.
VIDEO HOW IT WORKS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epT9o_Hksio
Types of Fitbit's
Fitbit Charge 2
Fitbit Charge Surge
Fitbit Flex 2
Overall, Fitbit is used by many people (about 23.2 million users as of 2017) to track their fitness activities and time. The manufacturer will continue to improve in the market of wearable technology along with its competitors.
References
"How it counts my steps" Retreived from
https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1143
Ben Lippert. "Fitbit Flex: Pros and cons of the wearable activity tracker". Retreived from
https://benlippert.com/2013/08/13/fitbit-flex-pros-and-cons-of-the-wearable-activity-tracker/ 13 Aug. 2013. Web 5 Feb. 2017
"Designer." Fitbit Retailers. N.p., n.d. Retreieved from https://www.fitbit.com/retailers Web. 19 Feb. 2017.
Find the tracker that's right for you. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.fitbit.com/compare
Pardon Our Interruption. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2017. <https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/fitbit#/entity>.
"Fitbit Statistics" https://expandedramblings.com/index.php/fitbit-statistics/#.WeLjk2iPI2w accessed 14th Oct. 2017