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Fitbit launches new Force fitness tracking watch with iPhone call notifications for $129.95

Fitbit has premiered the new Force fitness tracking watch as its new flagship product. The biggest differentiator for the Force is the new OLED display, wrapped in Fitbit’s signature water-resistant rubberized bracelet design. Instead of simply depicting steps taken as dots, the new Force can bring you detailed tracking information including steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, and floors climbed.

Fitbit Force is the first and only in its category to be able to capture and display all of these stats on your wrist, as well as wirelessly and automatically sync them to leading Apple & Android smartphones and your computer, helping you push further to achieve your fitness goals.

The Fitbit Force is now able to track floors climbed thanks to the inclusion of an Altimeter. The force features even deeper iPhone integration by sending call notifications directly to your Fitbit, as long as you are running iOS7 on an iPhone 4S or newer. However, early-adopters will have to wait for this feature as it will not be launching alongside the new device. Of course, the Force is also capable of all previous Fitbit offerings like tracking your sleep, wireless Bluetooth 4.0 syncing, and silent wake ups. The battery stores enough juice to last 7-10 days.

The Fitbit Force is available today for $129.95 from Fitbit.com in two colors (black/slate) and will be coming to more retailers in the coming weeks.

Full press release follows…

Fitbit Debuts Force – the Most Advanced Wireless Activity and Sleep-Tracking Wristband Yet

Comfortable and stylish, Force is the first and only wristband featuring an OLED display with real-time access to all your activity stats including stairs; wirelessly syncs to leading devices

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Fitbit, the leader in the fast-growing Connected Health and Fitness category, today announced Fitbit Force, a sleek, advanced, high-performance wireless activity and sleep-tracking wristband. Following on the success of Fitbit Flex, Fitbit Force has a highly visible, OLED display that provides instant access to all your activity stats right on your wrist, keeping you motivated throughout the day. In real time, Fitbit shows you: steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, active minutes as well as floors climbed. Force also monitors your sleep, can wake you with a silent alarm, serves as a sleek watch and can even provide incoming call notifications.* Fitbit Force is the first and only in its category to be able to capture and display all of these stats on your wrist, as well as wirelessly and automatically sync them to leading Apple & Android smartphones and your computer, helping you push further to achieve your fitness goals.

“The new Force is a must-have tool for all my clients – it’s like having a personal trainer on your wrist”

“The new Force is a must-have tool for all my clients – it’s like having a personal trainer on your wrist,” said Harley Pasternak, best-selling fitness and nutrition author, and celebrity personal trainer. “I use Fitbit products with my clients because they are easy-to-use, accurate and make people want to move more – and more movement means better health, better fitness and a better body.”

Fitbit Force Top Features and Benefits

  • OLED display screen for instant stats and time: Force accurately measures and shows steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, floors climbed and the time on an easy-to-view OLED display on the wristband
  • Altimeter takes you to new heights: Force contains a state-of the-art altimeter to track how many floors or how high you climb each day
  • Track active minutes to increase your burn: Along with steps, distance and calories burned, you can set a goal for daily “active minutes,” which are moderate-to-high intensity cardio minutes (Center for Disease Control recommends 150 minutes/week)
  • Sleep monitoring & silent wake alarm: Track sleep quality, including number of hours slept and how many times you wake or are restless; Force also has a silent wake alarm that gently vibrates to wake you and won’t disturb your partner
  • Bluetooth 4.0 allows wireless, automatic syncing: Force stats sync wirelessly to leading mobile phones and tablets so progress is always up to date without having to plug in; Android users simply tap the NFC-enabled Force to a phone to launch the Fitbit app
  • Receive smart call notifications on your Force: With Apple iOS 7 4S and higher smartphones, you can choose to receive incoming call notifications right on your Force when your phone is nearby
  • Motivational online & mobile tools: Stay motivated with notifications, badges and leaderboards; cheer, taunt and direct message your friends throughout the day – reach your goals faster with a little friendly competition
  • Comfortable to wear 24/7: Designed to be comfortable and stylish, Force is also water resistant and can withstand even the sweatiest workout, so you can wear it day and night; plus, Force has a battery life of 7-10 days
  • Sophisticated, advanced design: Available in two classic colors (Black and Slate), the sleek Force wristband looks good no matter what you’re doing

“We are continuously looking for ways to take wireless tracking devices and wearable technologies to the next level, and I feel strongly that Force, with its sophisticated design and instant and easy access to all your daily activity right on your wrist, delivers on the promise of what a next-generation activity tracker should be,” said James Park, CEO and Co-Founder of Fitbit.

Motivational Online & Social Tools

With Force, you set personal fitness goals and can tap into Fitbit’s motivational social tools to help reach them, like notifications, badges and leaderboards. New friend-to-friend messaging allows you to cheer and taunt friends directly on your mobile device throughout the day using the Fitbit iPhone or Android app. Fitbit’s latest iPhone app just got a new look with a sleek, iOS 7-inspired design, enhanced syncing and simplified navigation. Vibrating notifications on the Force wristband celebrate you as you meet your daily goals. Fitbit also supports its community by integrating with an unmatched number of leading health and fitness apps. Fitbit is the top downloaded app for connected fitness devices on the Apple iTunes store and the Google Play store, and Fitbit trackers have consistently been the #1 selling devices within the Fitness Technology category.**

Differentiating Bluetooth 4.0 Technology

Force features Bluetooth 4.0 technology, which allows your activity stats to wirelessly and automatically sync to your smartphone and tablet, making it effortless for you to see progress toward the personal fitness goals you set. Fitbit offers in-the-moment, automatic reminders based on your current stats for continuous motivation throughout the day, without ever having to plug in. Force syncs with leading mobile devices, including iPhone 4S and later, iPad 3rd Gen and later, and select Android devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4, Note II and Note 10.1.

Widest Variety of Activity Trackers on the Market

We’re aware that there is no “one size fits all” option in fitness. With the introduction of Force, Fitbit now offers two fantastic wristband options within its family of health and fitness products that motivate you to stay active, live better and reach your goals:

  • Force is an advanced wristband tracker with a comfortable and stylish design, featuring an OLED display for people who want instant access to all of the best activity stats 24/7
  • The award-winning Fitbit Flex is a flexible, interchangeable wristband tracker that offers a slim, minimalistic design for people that are goal-oriented and want more flexibility in accessorizing

Fitbit Force ($129.95) is available for order today on fitbit.com and will be available in select retailers in three-four weeks.

*Call notifications functionality will be available soon as part of an upcoming firmware update.

**Amazon published rankings.

About Fitbit

Fitbit designs products and experiences that track everyday health and fitness, empowering and inspiring people to lead healthier, more active lives. As the leader in the fast-growing Connected Health & Fitness category, Fitbit’s diverse line of award-winning products includes the Fitbit Flex wristband, Fitbit Zip and Fitbit One activity trackers, as well as the Aria Wi-Fi Smart Scale. Fitbit products are carried in more than 20,000 North American retail stores and sold internationally in 27 countries across Asia and Europe. Headquartered in San Francisco, Fitbit is privately held and funded by Foundry Group, Qualcomm Ventures, SAP Ventures, Softbank Capital, SoftTech VC and True Ventures.

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