FitBit… sounds too good to be true.
Posted on October 14th, 2008 in Uncategorized) by connelly | 1 Comment »
Tagged Under : physical activity
Here’s a new product to help measure physical activity… and even sleep cycles: http://www.fitbit.com. The FAQ claims that you can wear this thing anywhere and get over 95% accuracy for step counts. I don’t think any pedometer on the market claims to be that accurate, even when worn correctly, so I’m a bit skeptical.
What I do like is that the form factor is great. No more bulky little boxes on your wasteline! It also has a convenient interface for downloading the data (automatically when you are within a certain distance from the base station), and an associated web site where you can browse your data, and upload other types of data, such as diet and physical activites that can’t be measures by the device (swimming, biking, etc…).
One last interesting feature: wear it on the provided wristband at night, and it will give you an indication of how well you are sleeping.
Major drawback: can’t dump the data onto your own computer, but must use their website. All in all, an interesting new product…. and refreshing to see such a major leap in pedometers. Have to wait until January to see if it can live up to the hype.
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Your “major drawback” is my deal-breaker.
I can’t get behind a data-collection product that refuses to allow me access to my own data. I don’t want some corporation (even if it’s small and smart and means well) “curating” my data for me.
They already have a method to dump the data to a website, so they obviously can do it. Refusing to allow a direct dump to a computer indicates that they have a vested interest in forcing you to view their “free” website. Which indicates to me it will be chock full of “sponsorship.”
A real shame. I’d buy it in a heartbeat, and pay more, if I could own my own data.