Have you ever wanted a device that can automagically track the distance you walk or run each day and even track how much you sleep. And what if that device could easily upload all that data into attractive web reports that would help you get an overview of your lifestyle. Well two new devices, the FitBit and the DirectLife, are designed to do just that.
FitBit is a brand new device that tracks a wearer’s “calories burned, steps taken, distance traveled and sleep quality”. The device costs USD 99.- and will start shipping out at the end of October ‘09 in the US. One of its very cool features is that you can connect a basestation to your PC, and every time your FitBit comes within 15ft of the basestation, the data is automatically sent over a wireless connection through your computer and onto your own personal website where you can track all the statistics about your lifestyle habits.
The second device, the DirectLife, is also based on 3D accelorometer technology and can also easily be clipped onto any piece of clothing. The cool thing about this device is it tracks your base level of fitness over an initial period and then incrementally increases your targets for the following weeks to motivate you to improve your fitness over the long-run.
Both of these devices seem perfectly suited for anyone interested in keeping track of their lifestyle and being able to monitor that data over a web based reporting function. The FitBit may have an advantage over the DirectLife in that it tracks your sleeping patterns as well, although we love the DirectLife’s ability to help your improve your fitness goals over time. Here’s a FastCompany story about what it’s like to use the DirectLife. If you have practical experience of using either of these devices, please let us know.
