Fitbit is getting ready to release yet another fitness device, the Fitbit Force, according to a report from The Verge. This new device builds on the Fitbit Flex and will be the more expensive option when launched. The rumored device has a built in altimeter to measure altitude, which would improve its stair climber metric. The device also has watch functionality.
This was the second big announcement that Fitbit has made in the last few months. The company raised $43 million to expand its offices and hire more engineers, designers, and product managers, a month before the leaked pictures of the Force were revealed. Eric Friedman and James Park founded Fitbit in May 2007 and since then the company has launched various Fitbit devices. While Fitbit hasn't released a date yet for the launch of its new product, it will still be the seventh product launched within or around four years since Fitbit's first product.
MobiHealthNews has compiled a timeline of Fitbit's product launches since its conception.
September 2009 -- Original Fitbit launch: Fitbit launched its first device, simply called Fitbit. The device provided data on number of steps taken, miles traveled, calories burned, calories consumed, user's bedtime, time it took to fall asleep, number of times the user woke up and actual time sleeping. The original Fitbit also came with a docking unit that would sync to the device if within 10 feet of it.
October 2011 -- Fitbit Ultra: Fitbit launched its second generation fitness tracking device, Fitbit Ultra. The improved device featured new metrics and wireless features. The company also announced the launch of its first iPhone app. New features in this device included a stair tracker that measures vertical steps, motivational message system, and a Stopwatch Challenge for beating previous running times. New online tools and apps included badges for completing fitness challenges and a weight management tool that adjusted itself based on completed activities. We last heard about the Fitbit Ultra this year when we happened upon the device at an AT&T store in Boston, although since its 2011 launch, many other products have replaced the Ultra.
January 2012 -- Fitbit Aria WiFi Weight Scale: At CES two years ago, Fitbit unveiled a different kind of product -- the Aria WiFi Smart Scale. The scale measured weight, body fat percentage, as well as BMI and uploaded the data via the user’s home WiFi network to Fitbit’s online portal. Each weight scale supported eight different user accounts. At the event, Fitbit announced its Ultra device will be available at Target.
September 2012 -- Fitbit Zip, Fitbit One: Fitbit launched two devices in the same week, which both connect to smartphones via Bluetooth. Fitbit One is the replacement for Fitbit Ultra. The One added another feature to Ultra's existing technology -- an alarm called Silent Wake. This feature allowed users to set times and the One would vibrate when it's time to wake up. One also offered a rain and sweat proof casing, a brighter display for reading outside, a clock and the ability to display motivational messages. Fitbit Zip was smaller, $40 cheaper and offered a small watch that lasts up to six months. The Zip also came in five different colors.
January 2013 -- Fitbit Flex: Not even a year after the Zip and One, Fitbit launched its wristband. The Fitbit Flex offered the same metrics as the Fitbit One and integration with various fitness apps such as Endomondo, LoseIt, MapMyFitness, and MyFitnessPal. LED lights on the wristband indicate progress towards reaching a goal in 20 percent increments.
October 2013 -- Rumored Fitbit Force: Pictures leaked for Fitbit's second generation wristworn device, Fitbit Force. This rumored device is a more expensive version of the Fitbit Flex with added features.
