Fitbit Website
In parallel to the Fitbit device, we’re working on the website. We expect to open this up to pre-order customers pretty soon. Here’s a couple sneak peek screen shots of our development. When we’re ready to open the beta of the website up, we’ll make a blog post and any volunteers can sign up by making a comment on that post.
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We’re also busy polishing and further validating the software running on the Fitbit device itself. Here’s an older movie of the Fitbit in action when we were just testing basic functionality. You won’t see the button on the Fitbit here b/c when we shot the video, we were in middle of testing the tactile feel of different buttons. You can see the step counter iterating through 10 steps and see the screen in action here:
In terms of shipping, I still don’t have a concrete date other than late spring/early summer. I know you guys are still waiting, patiently. All I can say for now is that we’re getting closer. I’m anxious myself as I want to get the date out there and get my own stress levels down. 
Thank you so much for this newest update. I can’t wait to get that blog post for volunteers. I’ll certainly be wanting to be one of them.
Take care, I can’t even begin to imagine the stress you are having with this product and it’s delays. In a perfect world nothing would need a test run by going straight from idea to product. Soon you’ll be on your way to making us all healthier.
Looks great! Very user-friendly and polished enough to make it more motivating to use. Nice work. Thanks for the update!
Thank you for the update. I like the site layout, nice and clean.
What’s going to be the process of data entry? Is there going to be a phone app? mobile phone enabled site, etc… That would be a key feature for the actual use by a “normal” user. I know there are many who would do manual entry. But, compared to the average user, that number I would think is pretty low.
Love the potential, keep up the good work.
Janis
Love what I see in the website screenshots. Really makes me excited for my Fitbit!
I’d also like to second the request for a mobile (i)phone app for data entry.
This is exactly what I suggested in my comment on the last blog. I can’t wait to “test” the website.
Am iPhone app for data entry would be a great idea.
It would be nice to start enting food information to the website and learn how it works. I am now converting calories, fat and fiber to a point system similar to weight watchers. Will your site have a database of foods or will you have to enter specific foods individually?
excellent, thanks for the update. its loooks great. definetly seems like the wait will be worth it
Are you going to send an email to pre-order customers to try out the beta? Or are wee supposed to respond to the blog post as well?
Thanks,
Jen
I have been using “The Daily Plate” (now a part of livestrong.com at: http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/users/myplate/ ) to enter the foods I have eaten.
Please take a look at this as it works REALLY well. I hope that the fitbit site works as well!
Thanks for the update, looking forward to receiving the fitbits we ordered.
James, in one of your blog post can you explain how the sleep part of the fitbit works. On the website screen shots it list the time the user went to bed, how does it know that and how does it monitor sleep? Will the user have to tell the fitbit when they go to bed by putting it a sleep mode and when you get up you put it back in regular mode?
For the ones that are asking about an iPhone app if you look at the bottom of the website screen shots it list iPhone under the downloads section. So maybe there will be one.
It would also be nice if you could have an app for Windows Mobile phones. I lived in an area were I can’t get an iPhone so I have a Windows Mobile phone.
Gary, form the screen shot of the website it looks like they will have a database of foods. If you notice under the “Explore” section it list “Calories in Foods”, “Foods by Restaurant” and “Foods by Brand”
So….if I just sit around and shake my Fitbit, will I still lose weight?
The screen shots have really got me psyched up for this!
Looks great!! Can’t wait to test it out. As a fellow iPhone user, I would also love too see an iPhone app for data entry.
The screen on this thing looks great! I realize that there are probably more iPhone users to adopt this product earlier on (let’s face it people with iPhones like the early adpotion of great tech products), but i think that a more universal mobile app to start “m.fitbitdataentryorwhatever.com” that most mobile browsers can handle would not leave so many out in the cold early on, and then later you can add the pretty iPhone app.. Windows Mobile app… Android, and PalmPre app
Of course I think that’s something to worry about after the website is up and the product starts shipping… don’t waste time and resources on that development now (mobile app) when getting the product ready and out should be the priority.
As far as the website… it looks great! Very 2.0 in the look and networking aspect. As long as your able to decide who and what other’s are allowed to see as in BMI and such (even your add friends/followers) I think that your on track.
Excited to get the ball rolling!
I’m with Anomoly, I need to be able to enter food data on the go, otherwise it will never happen.
I’m a blackberry user, so is it possible to make a mobile site for data input for blackberry or other smartphone users (besides iphone)?
Also, You should allow custom fields next to each food item. For example, you could add a field that will calculate the weight watchers points and put it next to each item and total it for the day. Seems like custom field that allows a little bit of math on the nutritional data wouldn’t be toooo difficult to implement.
The website looks super!
Thanks for the post!
What are you using for the food database? the FDA list is pretty useless. If you are not, you should consider licensing the CalorieKing.com database… 50K foods and great coverage. I use it to track everything I eat and rarely do I have to enter a food by hand. (I don’t work for them, I’m just a happy user)
@JanisKrums
Yes, there will be a iPhone app, but it won’t be for a few months after launch.
@Gary
Our food database will start with about 60K-70K foods. You can also enter foods in yourself if it does not already exist in the database.
@Art
Numerically, we will have more foods in our database than CalorieKing. We take in data from multiple sources. Now, I can’t answer whether the coverage will actually be more relevant for you personally, since we have gaps in our data (every database provider does), but I’m hoping it should.
@Austin,
For mobile, we’ll probably start first with making a mobile version of our website, rather than a specific native platform app, so hopefully it should work fine with the Blackberry. That said, it won’t be available for a few months until after the site launches.
Thanks for the update. The site looks very interesting! Two questions about the screenshots:
1. What is the flower thing? I don’t understand it.
2. How does the sleep graph work? Is the height of the bar related to the length of the sleep interruption?
Also, do you think you’ll have integrations with Facebook and Twitter?
Hi.
Great update. I hope the iphone app will come soon.
Looking great! Can’t wait to get access
I am a personal fitness trainer. I preordered two Fitbits to use with my clients. I have been using Livestrong with my iPhone. My client signs up to the Livestrong website and provides her user info. I can track what she is entering and discuss it during our sessions using my iPhone app. I think the Fitbit and iPhone would be fantastic for how I work with my clients.
@melvin
The flower is one of the screens on the Fitbit. It grows and shrinks based on how active you are throughout the day. You can think of it like a Tamagotchi; you’d got it keep moving to keep it alive
It’s partly influenced by some Japanese pedometers that we’ve seen.
The spikes on the sleep graphs represent the magnitude of a wake event. We’re still debating whether to present that all.
Twitter and Facebook integration: yes. I’m not sure, when. It probably won’t be there at launch, but it’s very high on our list.
Thanks for all of the updates James. I would encourage you to keep as much of the sleep info in there. I put in my pre-order for this product beacuse of 2 reasons and one of the main ones was the sleep info. I have sleep apnea and this is going to be great feedback for those of us w/sleep issues. I know it won’t substitute for sleep studies, et. al, but it sure paints a big picture for us.
Thanks for all the work on this product. Can’t wait to see it!
You guys are finally getting a bit better with the updates – thanks for that! – Keep up the good work!
I think the screenshots look great! I can’t wait to get my Fitbit to start seeing my results.
I noticed that you have a button on the dashboard for “log activities”. How does that work? Are other activities entered on the website considered part of the step count (e.g. using “step equivalents”) or are they separate?
Thanks for the updates!
I too am very interested in the sleep data information, which is one of the reasons why I chose FitBit.
Would just like to echo Eric’s comments. I pre-ordered a FitBit in large part based on the sleep info, so I hope you’ll keep as much of that intact as possible.
So everyone has obviously seen the “late spring, early summer” launch date but I was wondering if there was any updated guess since you last mentioned it.
I know you guys are working hard to get it out asap (and without bugs) but I think we are all pretty anxious so any update would be appreciated. Thanks!
I have to say, that I cannot wait till this comes out. I learned about the fitbit through sparkpeople last year. A couple of people were talking about it, and I became very interested. Keep up the good work, hope to have one soon.
@james, Just to echo some of the others here, I am very interested in the sleep data collection, please try to keep this this functionality.
When will this be shipping? Any news? I’ve preordered and am wondering how much longer we all have to wait! Thanks
Looking great! I love the slick website design. I would also love to test it out, so I’ll (hopefully) be keeping an eye on the blog for when that’s announced.
I’d also like to put in my support for as much sleep data as possible. One reason I was so impressed by the initial data on the fitbit was the fact that it could track sleep and give me some great numbers to geek out about. (I’ve always been curious about what my sleep patterns look like…)
I cannot wait to get your product! The benefits of this will be awesome, and I am really excited to get started using this. Good luck with the packaging, as I know how important this aspect of the business world is. …. patiently waiting.
One question I have is if you are wearing this during the day and night when and how long would you have to recharge so as not to miss activity input?
Sign me up for the sleep data too. If you don’t put it on the main page, at least stick it in some sort of advanced users section.
This looks like a very neat idea. I’d like to know how the gaps in data collection are managed during the FitBit’s charging cycle.
Glad to see progress! Keep us updated.
Will there be a docking station? …or just a wire to plug in?
Any new info?
New update, please. : )
just found this product after reviewing gowear and bodybug. this seems like a superior product – of course the problem being when is the release date . is it too much for the company to estimate what month this is going to be released . also once it is released how long to ship out. typical salesman questions LOL
This little tracker will be a Godsend. I placed my order immediately upon finding out about it in Sept. of ’08. Does anyone know if we need to resubmit an order for this? I expect this little gadget will catch on and be sold out quickly.
I, too, am excited about the release of your product. My biggest concern is that by the time it finally ships, there will be an “app” for something similar or better for the iphone or itouch ipod.
Looking forward to getting started on the website and filling in all the blanks before my fitbit comes.
I so can’t wait for the FitBit! It looks like the development is coming along great! I don’t mind all the delays if it means a truly superior product in the end, so keep up the great work guys!!!
I can’t wait for mine! I have a Bodybugg now and from looking at your site the food log screens are 1000 times better and I love the sleep function. I stopped wearing my bodybugg after 6 weeks because it was creating a dent (from the strap) on my arm (and it was not on too tight). Now $349 later, it sits in a drawer.
For all those asking, don’t worry, we’ll keep as much sleep information in there as possible.
@Paul
It takes about an hour to recharge. It should last 7-10 days between charges, so you’ll have to find an hour total that time period. Maybe you can charge it every day while you take a shower.
We do constantly improve the software on the device, so we’ll be trying to decrease its power consumption over time.
@MajorHavoc
There’s an included base station which also acts as a charger. You plug into an USB port on your computer.
How are things going? When can we expect a release? Please update the blog for the latest news!
Thanx!
Can we get an update as to when you are expecting to start shipping?
I cant wait for your product and would love updates on twitter!
Updates on a shipping date???????????????????????????
Update on shipping date and website????? +1
How will the fitbit work when I am driving in my car? If I keep it on will my driving speed be calculated? I ask because when I wear a pedometer in the car it counts bumps and I can’t pause it while.
Thanks
about time for another blog update, right?
Please allow us to post accomplishments on social networking sites! At least Facebook.
This would be sad to not allow us to advertise for you by showing our friends/family/colleges about our successes with your product which would get them interested as well.
Any new updates on the product or the shipping date? There are alot of people waiting for this little baby!!!
How wonderful and creative! I am anxiously awaiting the email that says they are ready. I have compared and explored many other products. This one will be the RIGHT one! I just know it.
Heck, I would volunteer to do testing/trials 
as I am sure we all would. I am hoping it will be closer to late spring…than early summer! Thank you!
PS I am with Jennifer – I also have a bodybugg that just doesnt stack up…the bodybugg sits, unused…sometimes the kids like to put it on and pretend they are on the TV show that gave us the [not so] bright idea to purchase it! *smiles*
Please update!!! It’s been over a month now since your last blog post. Unless you’re less than a week out from shipping and just waiting to tell us the good news, we really need some more input on your progress.
Thanks!!
Still waiting on an update, and shipdate, …. please… ??
I am waiting anxiously to receive my Fitbit….I am trying to be patient but I am not sure I’m willing to wait forever. I do believe that your product is what I am looking for but the problem is the bodybugg is available now…I am just feeling so desparate ….sign me up to be a volunteer…will it get the Fitbit to us quicker…lol…will hitting the fast forward get the technology to the market sooner….thanks for listening…needed to vent
Hi all,
I am going to make a blog update in the next few days. I am waiting for an update from one of our suppliers and I don’t want to say anything prematurely.
best
James
If you do a mobile phone app please make one for all the major smartphone OSs
(WinMo, iPhone, Blackberry, WebOS)
I’m looking forward to the next update! Sounds like it’s going to be a good one.
I was hoping and wondering if when we are tracking our food an option for the calories could be excluded for us who are following programs like Weight Watchers. How would something like that work?
@James
Thanks for the info! I’m looking forward to the update.
Just an idea on the website layout. On the macronutrient section(carb.,fat etc.)you might include protien. Thanks
Looking great..iphone app will be fantastic. Have you any news on shipping to the UK. I was going to get one of these for my wife, but I think I will be having two now…..Will there be any issues with two units in one house hold.
Thanks
Matt
@ James — You mentioned in quite a few of your interviews that you eventually plan on having a premium subscription service to the website. Will users still at least be able to maintain the basic functionality (syncing the fitbit information & food logging) for free, or will that eventually be a subscription service. I’m hoping at least the basic functionality will be free because that is the big deterrent for many people for purchasing the BodyBugg.
Slingbox is a company that uses this business model with their TV streaming device. They charge for the device but don’t have a subscription service. I think that has allowed them to maintain success. Meanwhile they continue to update the hardware which keeps them in business…
Also, Blackberry app please??? Thanks!
I agree with Andrew, I would have already gotten a Bodybugg if it won’t for the subscription. I’m not a health nut, yet, so I was actually looking for something with no need for a website (just a desktop app). However, if the website is free, then if I don’t turn into a health nut then I don’t have to worry about the money.
I purchased tamagotchi v4 device for my son to keep them away from personal computer. It looks cute to even an adult like me.
The website is great! I am glad you can use it before your actual unit arrives. This way you cans still keep on track. I think it would be great to manually enter your sleep.