Fitbit sees the future of wearables in advanced sensors, is still investigating skin irritation complaints
“We want to get to the point where we’re trying to launch all our products globally,” explains Fitbit founder and CEO James Park, when quizzed on why the company was in Japan, expanding the availability of the Fitbit Flex — a year-old device that possibly should have been surpassed by the recently-withdrawn Force. Fitbit is a company mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Nike and Jawbone, the scale is different: “We’re still a relatively small company… but we’re trying to do what’s right by our customers.” The company offered a voluntary free returns policy to customers that suffered an allergic reaction, although according to Fitbit, this affected around 1.6 percent of its customer base. It mentions that the older Flex still remains its best-selling wearable. Park “I don’t have anything more to add to what we’ve already said… We’re investigating it.” Problem-solving aside, the CEO mentioned the company is already at work on what’s next — and it’s unlikely to be a lifelogging app or a camera on the strap.
It’s sticking with the fitness schtick, but the technology is going to get an upgrade. “The future for Fitbit is advanced sensors, tracking more about your body. This is where we’re going.” Adding to the CEO’s comments, Fitbit’s Asian-Pacific VP Yolanda Chan said that when the Force [relaunches] in the USA, they intend to hit global rollout to soon after — if you’re still waiting on an OLED display-toting Fitbit, you might have to wait a little longer, but it might be capable of a lot more than the 2013 model.
Filed under: Wearables
AIVAnet 