Fitbit Force Activity Tracking Wristband Launches with Built-In Altimeter, Phone Notifications for iOS 7

[MacRumors]

Fitbit today has launched its newest wearable activity tracking device, the Fitbit Force, reports AllThingsD. The Bluetooth 4.0 wristband includes all the features of the popular Fitbit Flex activity wristband that was launched in May of last year, and adds new features such as a built-in altimeter that measures workout data such as stairs climbed, a bigger OLED screen, watch capabilities, and an "Active Minutes" feature that tracks the varying levels of exercise.

A powerful Force for everyday fitness, this sleek wristband is with you all the time. Stay motivated to keep moving with real-time stats right on your wrist. Track steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, stairs climbed and active minutes throughout the day. At night, track your sleep and wake up silently with a vibrating alarm.

The device will gain additional features particular to iPhone users running iOS 7, including the ability to receive call notifications on the wristband. Reports AllThingsD:

Soon after launch, Fitbit will release a software update that will allow iPhone users running iOS 7 to receive notifications about incoming calls (name and phone number) on the Force's display. The wristband can also vibrate to alert you to a call.

Including this feature is sort of an experiment for Fitbit to gauge people's interest in getting these types of alerts on a fitness-tracking device. Based on the reaction, the company will then decide whether adding other notifications for things like new text messages and email makes sense.

The release of the Fitbit Force comes as Nike is expected to release a follow-up to its Fuelband activity tracker, along with speculation that Apple will release an iWatch wearable device in the relatively near future, a device which may also contain fitness tracking features.

The Fitbit Force wristband can be ordered from the Fitbit web store for $129.95, with shipments beginning in 3-4 weeks.

Article Link: Fitbit Force Activity Tracking Wristband Launches with Built-In Altimeter, Phone Notifications for iOS 7

 

[JaySoul]

Very interested in this.

Had a Nike FuelBand for 1.5 years, and love it - but the hardware definitely needs updating.

Nike have an event on October 15th which should yield the announcement of the FuelBand 2, but if it disappoints I may try the FitBit Force out.

 

[GenesisST]

Rodney Ruxin would know how to use it!

 

[campingsk8er]

Really!? Like really? I JUST bought the Fitbit Flex about 1.5 months ago from Apple.

 

[mightyneek]

If this little guy had a HRM built in i'd be all over it!

 

[traveller09]

I am very interesting in activity bands, but I personally don’t see much use for one without heart rate monitor capability. Maybe I am kidding myself. Maybe they cant put that technology in a wrist band, I just don’t have much confidence that an accelerometer is going to be a true indication of calories burned vs a heart rate monitor. I think I will wait and see for now.

 

[Drumjim85]

Really!? Like really? I JUST bought the Fitbit Flex about 1.5 months ago from Apple.

Welcome to technology.

 

[Rigby]

What's the use for these products, now that thanks to the M7, the iPhone in your pocket can track your movements 24/7 with no battery life penalty?

 

[mightyneek]

I am very interesting in activity bands, but I personally don’t see much use for one without heart rate monitor capability. Maybe I am kidding myself. Maybe they cant put that technology in a wrist band, I just don’t have much confidence that an accelerometer is going to be a true indication of calories burned vs a heart rate monitor. I think I will wait and see for now.

I agree! Not to mention you want to work out in your target Heart Rate Zone. I vibration in my wrist to let me know would be awesome!

 

[kevinpdoyle]

What's the use for these products, now that thanks to the M7, the iPhone in your pocket can track your movements 24/7 with no battery life penalty?

Yes but that would mean you have to have your phone on you 24/7. I for one don't bring my phone on workouts and dont always grab my phone from my desk at the office so the M7 alone would not capture all of my movements.

 

[kwrzesien]

What's the use for these products, now that thanks to the M7, the iPhone in your pocket can track your movements 24/7 with no battery life penalty?

I think this would be great for running and cycling where my iPhone is either in a jersey pocket on my back or a running strap on my arm, I can't really see who is calling me. I'm always running Cyclemeter and Strava to keep track of my workout but the more info the better. Being able to see caller id so I can answer using the headphones would be nice. Seeing who a text is from would also be great, I just need enough info to know whether to stop and check my phone or carry on and crank out some miles!

 

[txplorer]

Misses the mark

While I think this device is a fantastic upgrade. It's not swim proof. The Flex is so I guess i'll just stick with that.

 

[Rigby]

Yes but that would mean you have to have your phone on you 24/7. I for one don't bring my phone on workouts and dont always grab my phone from my desk at the office so the M7 alone would not capture all of my movements.

Can these armbands actually track workouts other than running accurately? I'm not a runner, but do mostly rowing and some weight training. So far I'm simply tracking my workouts manually.

 

[spazzcat]

What's the use for these products, now that thanks to the M7, the iPhone in your pocket can track your movements 24/7 with no battery life penalty?

I don't keep my phone on me 24/7...

----------

Can these armbands actually track workouts other than running accurately? I'm not a runner, but do mostly rowing and some weight training.

You have to log other types of workouts.

 

[JaySoul]

Can these armbands actually track workouts other than running accurately? I'm not a runner, but do mostly rowing and some weight training. So far I'm simply tracking my workouts manually.

It's traditionally best for cardio activities, to be honest.

 

[Rigby]

You have to log other types of workouts.

Thanks. Makes me wonder even more what the use of fitness trackers is if you don't happen to be a runner. I have used one of the tracking apps since getting my iPhone 5s, but the step counters seem pretty useless to me. Compared to my workouts, the energy burned walking and climbing stairs is negligible anyway.

I agree though that the call notification feature would come in handy in many situations.+

 

[kevinpdoyle]

Can these armbands actually track workouts other than running accurately? I'm not a runner, but do mostly rowing and some weight training. So far I'm simply tracking my workouts manually.

I have an UP and the benefit in workouts is mostly that it can time how long you worked out for, then you manually log the level of difficulty and the type of workout later in the phone app.

The benefit of the UP band to me is the sleep monitoring, the silent alarm, the step counting and integration of the workouts/runs into the step logging.

 

[Rigby]

It's traditionally best for cardio activities, to be honest.

Well, rowing is a pretty intense cardio activity. I was just wondering if the trackers (or phones, for that matter) are smart enough to recognize motions other than running accurately.

 

[johncrab]

Um, that looks like something a guy wears, well, lower.

 

[JaySoul]

Well, rowing is a pretty intense cardio activity. I was just wondering if the trackers (or phones, for that matter) are smart enough to recognize motions other than running accurately.

My FuelBand is good for:

Running (outside)
Running (treadmill)
Football
Tennis (all racquet sports)
Elyptical trainer
Rowing machine

Where it isn't good:

Swimming (not waterproof)
Exercise bike
Cycling
Weights

The main thing is just keeping motivated to move throughout the day (not being a lazy lump) and for tracking most cardio activities/sports.

I always say they won't perfect it until they put 2 chips in your feet, 2 in your wrists and one in your brain!

 

[Rigby]

My FuelBand is good for:

[...]
Rowing machine
[...]

Hm, maybe I should try one then. I'll wait to see what Nike presents later this month though.

I always say they won't perfect it until they put 2 chips in your feet, 2 in your wrists and one in your brain!

Resistance is futile.

 

[MrCubes]

Thanks. Makes me wonder even more what the use of fitness trackers is if you don't happen to be a runner. I have used one of the tracking apps since getting my iPhone 5s, but the step counters seem pretty useless to me. Compared to my workouts, the energy burned walking and climbing stairs is negligible anyway..

It's not all about the calories.
The primary use is to track your movement (mostly walking) throughout the day.
Even if you work-out every day if you have a sedentary job or otherwise spend most of the rest of the day inactive then there are health benefits to be had from interspersing the day with lower intensity activity (e.g. going for a short walk) - look into NEAT (Non-exercise activity thermogenesis). The step-counters, in particular, help to encourage that.

Using them as part of your work-out tracking, or for other activities, is not out of the question - but there are limitations and you need to be aware of them

 

[paul4339]

If the Apple rumored iWatch includes these activity band features, I hope they also have iPod shuffle features as well. They already applied for a wireless headphone patent last year and acquired Wi-Gear, a wireless headset startup.
(it would kinda make the Shuffle obsolete)



.

 

[polymersayb]

Really!? Like really? I JUST bought the Fitbit Flex about 1.5 months ago from Apple.

See if your credit card has one of those return policies where you can return the product to them even if the store won't take it back (or if it's past the store return policy time). They make it painful for you (e.g. you have to get a written letter from the store saying they won't take it back) but if the extra features are worth it to you it might be worth a shot.

 

[paul4339]

...

I agree though that the call notification feature would come in handy in many situations.+

yup.. any kind of alert notification on a wristband would be useful... currently at the office, at the hour/on the hour, I hear a bunch of smartphone chirps for reminders, alerts, alarms, etc.

.