On March 19, Beijing time, Fitbit, a start-up company, pulled the pedometer, a product that had been sentenced to death, back from the brink of death. This ability to turn decay into magic also won the respect of Fitbit in the industry. This successful case also proves the replicability of the 'software + hardware' mode, especially for some seemingly innocuous products, perhaps the injection of some Internet elements can make it reborn.
It is reported that since the first generation Fitbit tracker came out in 2009, in less than three years, this thumb sized gadget has set off an upsurge of sports health in North America. Under its guidance, personal portable health devices have become the new favorite of VC. According to the 2012 Investment Report released by rock health, last year, the U.S. invested $150 million in personal health tools and health tracking services. This includes Fitbit's $12 million round C financing. From the second half of 2012, Fitbit's pedometer has been quietly popular in the first tier cities in China.
Just as jobs redefined the mobile phone with his iPhone, Fitbit, a start-up company, is redefining the ancient pedometer with internet thinking.