Fitbit (NYSE:FIT), unveiled new capabilities connecting to Amazon’s Alexa. Using the prompt, “Alexa, ask Fitbit how I’m doing today,” along with several other supported health and fitness prompts, the voice response smart system will respond with updates from Fitbit devices.
This makes Fitbit the first wearable company to make stats available via Alexa, the brain behind Amazon Echo. This Fitbit integration was added to enhance convenience and fun to the daily routines of Fitbit users in the U.S., letting them incorporate activity tracking even more seamlessly into their busy, on-the-go lifestyles.
“Working with Amazon and Alexa to create this new skill provides a completely new and fun way for Fitbit users to stay on top of their health and fitness goals,” said Tim Roberts, EVP of interactive, Fitbit. “Our integration with Alexa gives you hands-free access to your data, so you can find out when you walk in the door at the end of the day what your step count is in seconds, and know if you need to go on a quick walk before dinner. As we look at how this integration could evolve in the future, there is an endless world of possibilities from fitness coaching and nutrition tips, to guidance before bedtime to help you get a more restful night’s sleep.”
Alexa recognizes a wide range of voice-enabled requests about your Fitbit activities for any day within the previous week, including how you slept last night, how many active minutes you’ve logged or the number of calories you’ve burned all without needing to check your tracker or Fitbit app.
The new Alexa Fitbit skills will also offer words of encouragement to inspire users to meet their daily and weekly goals, and responses will even be tailored to the specific time of day. For example, if you inquire about your step count at 9 a.m., you might be reminded that “you’ve got to start somewhere,” or encouraged to “try to take a walk today, but don't forget to stop and smell the roses.”
“We’re thrilled to add the Fitbit skill to our Alexa-enabled devices his skill brings a whole new level of convenience for customers who are looking for new ways to keep track of their health and fitness goals,” said Rob Pulciani, director of Amazon Alexa. “With the recent launches of Amazon Tap and Echo Dot, even more customers will have access to unique and helpful Alexa skills such as this integration with Fitbit. More experiences are moving to voice, and it’s only going to get better for our customers.”
