This morning smart pedometer maker Striiv announced an updated feature set for its activity tracking device, which now enables users to setup challenges by pairing devices at close range over a short range wireless connection. Striiv also announced that its device, which has been available online and through the Home Shopping Network, is heading to 600 Best Buy stores across the country at the end of the month. The Striiv device costs $99.95.
Striiv says its device is not for "Type A" people who are already motivated to go to a gym or have an interest in charts and graphs that document their workout regimens.
"For many of us, fitness is the first thing that falls off the schedule," Striiv's Head of Design Lexy Franklin told MobiHealthNews in a recent interview. "Our target user is in their 40s. They are busy. They have a family. That's who we created the Striiv Smart Pedometer for -- we call it the first 'smart' pedometer because it learns from your activity, learns your behavior and motivates you to walk a lot more throughout the day. Striiv senses when you are getting close to a personal goal and gives you additional goals and challenges that are just out of reach to keep you exercising."
Franklin said that Striiv's average user is a 47-year-old woman with a BMI around 30. The company's goal is to help motivate Striiv users to walk a little bit more each day.
"There are lots of companies out there trying to get people to measure their activity," Franklin said. "When we look at companies like Jawbone, Nike, BodyMedia -- all these companies are focused on data and monitoring -- lots of charts and graphs. We believe that's only motivating for those 'Type A' people. We are going after other people who will be better motivated from the device itself, it's not a solution offering charts and graphs -- it's much more."
The new Striiv Connect feature leverages a short range wireless connection similar to the unlicensed 2.4 GHz spectrum wireless mouses use to connect to PCs, according to Franklin. The new feature enables users to challenge each other to seven different types of races. Those include a competition to see who can walk the equivalent of the Golden Gate Bridge first or who can climb the equivalent number of stairs to reach the top of the Statue of Liberty. Striiv devices need to be no more than around 10 feet apart to start a competition then the users can go about their days. To see who won, the devices do need to come back together, Franklin said.
Striiv users can even raise the stakes and make bets on the race's outcome:
"No race would be complete without the ability to bet," Franklin said. "Betting is exciting. You can bet Striiv currency or real world chores or prizes -- buy the other person a cup of coffee... or they have to take out the trash."
Striiv's virtual currency can be used to build the FarmVille-like virtual world, an "enchanted island" called MyLand, that comes preloaded on the device. Each step the device tracks earns an energy point that can be spent on the island or converted into real world donations to charities that Striiv can make on the user's behalf. While Striiv itself is the first corporate sponsor of the donation program, it expects to add others.
Here's how Striiv describes the device's newest features:
Ready, Set, Race! – Step or stair-based competitions let people bet energy or real life prizes. Once the stakes are established, users connect devices, choose to walk together or separately, and Striiv keeps track of who reaches the finish line first. New Striiv characters (AKA Waddles, Sir Bacon or Walkatron), also provide opponents, and as in life, raise the stakes and win more! More difficult opponents and longer races, the more energy can be won!
Social Milestones – Beating friends’ or family members’ stats (like daily average or personal record for steps, stairs or minutes of activity) earns people bonus points and a trophy for that day. Social milestones are part of Striiv's positive reinforcement focused Motivation System.
Myland Expansion Pack –Myland, the addictive, Farmville-like, energy-based game launched with Striiv, adds new characters, plants, and structures. People can also spend energy points on Mystery Boxes, treasure boxes that contain exciting (or not so exciting) prizes.
More Reasons to Sync – Each time Striiv is connected to a computer, the latest activity information is stored, and people win a free Mystery Box to use in Myland! Syncing lets people record steps, stairs, calories burned and donations made, so they can keep track of progress.
For more on the new Striiv features and Best Buy distribution deal, read the press release below:
REDWOOD CITY, CA (April 25, 2012) – Today, Striiv launches its Smart Pedometer with Fitness Motivation System. The small, touchscreen fitness device accurately tracks steps and motivates its users to walk more throughout the day. Striiv’s Smart Pedometer will be available at nearly 600 stores Best Buy stores across the country by April 29. It is available today at BestBuy.com.
With every step, Striiv learns user behavior and develops personal challenges and goals motivating them to add thousands of steps within each day: to walk more, to take the stairs more often, and to transform their health by walking. Striiv’s Smart Pedometer also launches with Striiv Connected, a new, built-in social component that lets users compete in activity-based challenges with friends and family. Striiv users can even race for real life prizes, like household chores or a cup of coffee.
“Striiv isn’t just for athletes or data-driven early adopters. It’s for everyday, busy people who also want to get fit, give back, and have fun. Striiv is fitness for the rest of us,” said David Wang, CEO and co-founder of Striiv. “Research shows getting fit doesn’t require a gym or a crazy routine. It’s about seizing dozens of opportunities throughout the day to move more and then enjoying the countless benefits of a more active, healthy life.”
The Striiv Smart Pedometer is a small, convenient device that is always on and fits into any budget or outfit, accurately tracking steps, distance, calories, stairs and minutes of activity throughout the day. A key feature that sets Striiv apart is its patented Fitness Motivation System. Striiv learns a user’s behavior and then encourages activity via personalized challenges and goals, games, and donation opportunities – all powered by activity. The suite of new motivational features that are included with the Striiv Smart Pedometer are:
· Ready, Set, Race! – Step or stair-based competitions let people bet energy or real life prizes. Once the stakes are established, users connect devices, choose to walk together or separately, and Striiv keeps track of who reaches the finish line first. New Striiv characters (AKA Waddles, Sir Bacon or Walkatron), also provide opponents, and as in life, raise the stakes and win more! More difficult opponents and longer races, the more energy can be won!
· Social Milestones – Beating friends’ or family members’ stats (like daily average or personal record for steps, stairs or minutes of activity) earns people bonus points and a trophy for that day. Social milestones are part of Striiv's positive reinforcement focused Motivation System.
· Myland Expansion Pack –Myland, the addictive, Farmville-like, energy-based game launched with Striiv, adds new characters, plants, and structures. People can also spend energy points on Mystery Boxes, treasure boxes that contain exciting (or not so exciting) prizes.
More Reasons to Sync – Each time Striiv is connected to a computer, the latest activity information is stored, and people win a free Mystery Box to use in Myland! Syncing lets people record steps, stairs, calories burned and donations made, so they can keep track of progress.
Striiv motivates everyday people juggling family and work to take control of their health by tapping into the single most accessible activity most people can do to lose weight, prevent heart disease, diabetes, stroke and more: walking. Whether walking to lunch or up the stairs, Striiv transforms any activity into an opportunity to get fit, give back, and have fun – making it a healthy addiction that early numbers have proven. On average, Striiv users are:
· Walking nearly 60 minutes per day
· Logging 3 miles per day
· Averaging 8 flights of stairs every day
· Even after 12 weeks, the majority of users check in on their Striiv every day, monitoring their activity dozens of times
“There has been a surge in interest in the mobile health devices and Best Buy is committed to meet that demand by carrying innovative products like Striiv,” said Alan Smith, senior merchant for Health & Fitness at Best Buy. “Striiv is especially important because it has the potential to positively affect the wellbeing of the average person who just needs a little motivation. We’re proud to carry Striiv on our shelves across the country to help make a positive impact on the country’s overall health and wellbeing.”
The Striiv Smart Pedometer is $99.95 is now available on BestBuy.com and will be in Best Buy stores by April 29. It is currently available on HSN, HSN.com, Amazon, and striiv.com.
About the Company:
Based in Redwood City, Striiv is comprised of a team of world-class game designers, artists, and cutting-edge technologists. Founded in 2010, the company is focused on integrating seamless gaming mechanics across everyday life activities and experiences, especially those that need an infusion of fun to motivate and inspire, like exercise. Striiv aims to start a movement around movement by making fitness an integrated part of everyday life.
For more information about Striiv visit www.striiv.com. Find Striiv on YouTube, Facebook (www.striiv.com/facebook) or follow on Twitter @Striiv.
