Another paper suggests wearable devices can predict COVID-19 before symptoms

Dec 14, 2020
Smartwatches, smart rings and fitness trackers have been found to detect fever and other warning signs early on, a study says.
Some smartwatches and other wearable devices have been found to provide early COVID-19 warning signs.
Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images

Google enters a different kind of arms race

Nov 1, 2019
Apple makes nearly 40% of the fancy new gadgets we put on our wrists. Google is hoping to muscle in.
Guests participate in a workout hosted by Fitbit and PH5 in 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
Rich Fury/Getty Images for Fitbit

How femtech uses data to help women and advertisers

Mar 20, 2019
In our economy, the devices we use are constantly asking us to share — or sometimes just taking — our data. And when it comes to that data, not much of it is more personal and private than our health. Yet personal health devices and apps are a growing industry, a subset of which is targeted […]
The FDA is working with companies like Fitbit to streamline the approval process for health and medical software.
DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty Images

The rise in "interactive insurance" could make you healthier — and more scrutinized

Sep 20, 2018
John Hancock is the latest insurer to offer policies with discounted premiums if policyholders agree to be monitored.
Participants who wear monitoring devices like the ones above can get cheaper premiums or rewards from John Hancock.
Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Fitbit

McDonald's is no longer putting fitness trackers in Happy Meals

Aug 17, 2016
Update: As quickly as they came, the trackers are gone.
Children from the Cantagalo 'favela' community enjoy happy meals at McDonalds before heading to the Olympic Rugby 7's on August 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
Chris McGrath/Getty Images

A dog and his FitBark: Will pet wearables take off?

Feb 18, 2016
Now you can track what your canine is really doing when you're at work.
Molly Wood's dog wearing a FitBark.
Guisel Contreras

Schools fight back against the freshman 15

Feb 3, 2016
Oral Roberts University requires incoming freshman to use activity trackers.
Oral Roberts University is issuing Fitbits to its students for a fitness program. 
BTNHD Production/Flickr

For public good, not for profit.

Fitbit goes public without breaking a sweat

Jun 18, 2015
Share prices surged early Thursday after the fitness tracker hit the floor.

Fitbit's many steps about to pay off in IPO

Jun 17, 2015
Is the wearable sector poised for long-term growth?

Trading insurance discounts for health data

Apr 8, 2015
Life insurance company John Hancock will offer discounts for Fitbit customers.