Fitbit unveiled its first product outside of wearable activity monitors this week at CES: the Aria WiFi Smart Scale, a connected weight scale similar to Withings' WiFi scale offering. The Aria scale measures weight, body fat percentage, as well as BMI and uploads the data via the user's home WiFi network to Fitbit's online portal. The device is expected to launch in late April and will retail for $129.95.
Fitbit Aria recognizes up to eight different user profiles and automatically determines which user is on the scale based on previous usage. (Withings' scale also recognizes up to eight users.) Once uploaded to Fitbit's website, the weight data over time can be analyzed through graphs and charts. Users can also create weight loss goals and food logs, earn motivational badges, and interact with fellow Aria users.
Fibit also announced that its main offering, the Fitbit Ultra pedometer, is now for sale in the United Kingdom and will be available in Target stores in the US nationwide starting January 15.
The Aria follows the lead of Withings WiFi body scale and the Bluetooth-enabled iHealth Weight Scale. While the Withings scale operates almost identically to the Aria by using a WiFi connection, the iHealth requires a user to have their smartphone or tablet close by during weigh-ins since it transmits data via a Bluetooth connection. Tanita and A&D also offer connected weight scales that can send results to smartphones and tablets. (Tanita explains how to use an ANT+ device to connect its weight scales to its iOS app in this short video. Looks cumbersome.)
A Fitbit representative told Engadget that the scale has a maximum weight of 400 pounds. Gizmodo learned that that the data can also be viewed on Fitbit's mobile apps, including an Android app that is expected to be released in February. The fitness app maker launched its first iOS app when it introduced the new Fitbit Ultra device last October.
“As consumer demand continues to rise for products that combine health and technology, analysts predict the digital health industry to be worth $4 billion by 2014,” stated James Park, CEO and co-founder of Fitbit, in a press release. “It’s gratifying to see a strong positive response from retailers, consumers and analysts to our products. We’re proud that Fitbit is playing a key role in building this new category.”
Read the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE -- Fitbit, the market leader in innovative health and fitness products and maker of the popular Fitbit Ultra Wireless Activity Tracker, today announced their latest Fitbit device, the Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale. The Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale tracks weight, body fat %, and BMI over time and integrates with Fitbit’s industry-leading online social and motivational tools. Fitbit continues to experience high growth from sales of its Wireless Trackers; Fitbit Ultra Trackers are now offered in the United Kingdom and will be sold in Target stores nationwide and on Target.com beginning Jan. 15.
“As consumer demand continues to rise for products that combine health and technology, analysts predict the digital health industry to be worth $4 billion by 2014,” said James Park, CEO and co-founder of Fitbit. “It’s gratifying to see a strong positive response from retailers, consumers and analysts to our products. We’re proud that Fitbit is playing a key role in building this new category.”
Set Up, Step On and Get Motivated
With the launch of Fitbit Aria, Fitbit is stepping beyond Activity and Sleep trackers. “Your fitness journey is an emotional one. We want to provide an ecosystem of tools that help our users understand patterns and trends across their data so they can recognize where changes need to be made. Aria is the latest in our line of innovative and simple tools that motivate consumers to reach their health and fitness goals,” said Park.
The Fitbit Aria Smart Scale can be set up in minutes and then easily taps into your Wi-Fi network to automatically upload your weight and percent (%) body fat information to Fitbit.com each time you step on the scale. Medical research studies have shown that monitoring body weight is an effective strategy to prevent weight gain, and people who weigh themselves once a day can lose up to twice the weight of those who don't do daily weigh ins.
Aria supports up to eight people in one household and uses smart technology to differentiate who is being weighed at any given time. Your personal weight information is private by default and only shared within your household or online network if you want it to be. You can actively set which friends in the Fitbit community will be part of your weight loss or weight management journey.
In addition, Fitbit.com offers additional online tools to track your weight stats and goals over time. Easy-to-read graphs and simple tools like body composition profile and food logging give you a comprehensive look at your weight loss journey. At Fitbit.com, you can also connect with friends and earn badges for extra motivation.
Aria ($129.95 USD) is now available for pre-sale on www.fitbit.com and will be shipping in late April 2012. Fitbit will be showing demos of Aria during CES Jan. 10-13 at booth #3117 in the Fitness TechZone (LVCC, North Hall Lower Grand Lobby).
About Fitbit
Founded in 2007 in San Francisco, CA, Fitbit is dedicated to delivering simple, innovative health and fitness products and services that help people lead healthier, more active lives by giving them the tools to become more aware, more motivated and more fit every day. Fitbit's Ultra Wireless Activity + Sleep Tracker is the leading wireless fitness tracker on the market, with distribution at leading national retailers such as Amazon.com, Best Buy, Brookstone, Radio Shack, REI and Target. Fitbit is funded by the Foundry Group, True Ventures and SoftTech VC. For more information please visit www.fitbit.com or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.
