Fitbit, Microsoft Cortana voice-activated activity logging

This post was originally published on the Fitbit press site. It has been adapted from its original format.

Fitbit., the market leader in the fast-growing Connected Health and Fitness category, today announced a Microsoft Cortana integration for increased ease-of-use and efficiency when logging and tracking activities and food, as well as new motivational features and additional language support for Fitbit’s existing Windows Phone 8.1 app. Fitbit’s software offers the widest range of easy-to-use, smart and motivational tools, helping to make it the top downloaded app in the Windows Phone Store. When combined with Fitbit’s well-designed, innovative hardware, these unique interactive online and mobile features give users the motivational benefits they can’t live without. These new Windows Phone app features are compatible with all Fitbit products, including the just-announced Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge activity trackers, as well as Fitbit’s existing and best-selling Fitbit Flex, Fitbit One and Fitbit Zip.

“The Windows platform offers a rich ecosystem of apps for health and fitness enthusiasts”

“We’re committed to the Windows Phone community and are excited to bring these innovative features to the Fitbit experience on this platform,” said James Park, CEO and Co-founder of Fitbit. “As we do across all mobile platforms, we’re continuing to design features that empower people with information and motivate them to set and reach goals with fun and engaging experiences on our mobile apps. However, with the custom Cortana integration, we worked closely with Microsoft to design around its unique and innovative intelligent personal assistant technology to create an awesome experience for Fitbit users syncing to the Windows Phone platform – making it even easier for them to track and take control of their health and fitness results.”

Earlier this year Fitbit launched its free, native app for Windows Phone 8.1, making it the first in the category to bring direct mobile syncing to the Windows Phone platform. The app launched with automatic wireless syncing, real-time and historical stats, activity and food logging, a Fitbit Live Tile and Fitbit’s much-loved motivational and social tools, like leaderboards, push notifications, direct messaging and more.

New Windows Phone Features:

• Cortana: Available today in beta, Fitbit has worked closely with Microsoft to create a custom experience for Cortana inside the Fitbit app to make tracking food and activities more efficient. By speaking to Cortana, users can quickly log any of the 350,000 foods in the Fitbit database, all while using natural language like “Fitbit, I ate lasagna for dinner” or “Fitbit, I had a coffee with breakfast.” Users can also create silent alarms for Fitbit trackers
• Fitbit Challenges: Fitbit’s newest app addition brings even more motivation and fun to Fitbit’s Windows Phone app (as well as to iOS and Android apps). With Fitbit Challenges, users can directly compete with up to 10 friends and family to help meet and beat goals in new competitions, including Daily Showdown, Workweek Hustle and Weekend Warrior
• MobileTrack: With MobileTrack, Windows Phone users without a Fitbit can still get in on the action. Mobile devices with MobileTrack use Microsoft’s Motion Data to track steps directly from the smartphone
• Background Sync and Push Notifications: Users can now experience background syncing and push notifications for Challenges, messages, progress updates and more
• New Language Support: Initially available worldwide in English, the Fitbit app for Windows Phone now offers French, German, Italian and Spanish languages

“The Windows platform offers a rich ecosystem of apps for health and fitness enthusiasts,” said Todd Brix, general manager, Windows Apps and Store, Microsoft Corp. “Like us, Fitbit also aims to provide an unparalleled user experience, and we’re excited Fitbit is bringing even more functionality to the hugely popular Fitbit app for Windows Phone, including unique features like Cortana integration.”

In addition to these exciting features available today, Fitbit is working with Microsoft to bring several other unique features to the Fitbit for Windows experience, including:

• Additional Cortana Functionality: Building off of existing food logging and alarms functionality, upcoming Cortana features will include activity logging and the ability to enable exercise mode, all through voice commands starting in December 2014.
• Support for New Fitbit Products: In addition to existing Fitbit products, Windows Phone users will have immediate syncing with Fitbit Charge beginning today. Support for Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge, as well as heart rate tracking, will be live once these products are available
• Windows App: Windows 8.1 desktop, laptop and tablet users will experience a new Fitbit app for Windows 8.1, completely remade with a new design and better functionality. No longer just a window to stats, the tablet app leverages Microsoft’s universal Windows application platform to deliver a rich and authentic Fitbit experience. Features will include manual logging of activities, food, sleep, weight and water, as well as Challenges beginning November 2014.
• MobileRun: Windows Phone 8.1 users can access MobileRun, which uses GPS to track, log and compare workouts. The feature also offers real-time updates while running, as well as voice cues delivering stats and providing extra encouragement to meet goals while exercising starting December 2014.
• Additional Languages: Windows Phone users will have Korean, Japanese and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) languages available in November 2014.

Fitbit’s family of six activity trackers and the Aria Wi-Fi scale also sync wirelessly to more mobile platforms than any other trackers available today, including more than 120 Windows Phone, iOS and Android devices. By combining the most product choices with Fitbit’s unparalleled software and cross-platform compatibility, users have everything needed to reach their goals.