Introducing FitBit: FitBit is a simple motion activated device that tracks the movement of the wearer and provides feedback about physical activity, calories expanded, and how much sleep was obtained by the user. Small enough to be strapped to one’s pocket, the device records the internal accelerometer’s activity for interpretation on the computer. At the end of the day or at a convenient time you sync the Fitbit with your PC or Mac and the result is a detailed map and statistic about how many calories you have burned and how much you were moving in your sleep.

Clamp Fitbit onto yourself somewhere and it’ll keep tabs on your fitness, even when you’re asleep. Its motion sensor records how many steps you’ve taken and miles you’ve walked/run, calories burned, and even shows how well you’ve slept by measuring your tossing and turning. Then when you get within 25-50 feet of its base station (hooked up to either a Mac or PC), your data is wirelessly sent to the Fitbit website, where you’ll be able to graphically keep track of your fitness.

The Fitbit uses a motion sensor called an accelerometer, also employed in the iPhone and Wii controllers, to track movement and, in that way, sleep. All you have to do is slide the Fitbit onto a wristband provided with the device and press a button to start recording sleep behavior. And supposedly, when you wake up and sync it to your computer, it will tell you how many minutes you were asleep as opposed to awake while you were in bed. The device can collect up to seven days’ of data. A wireless base station collects the information and uploads it to the Fitbit Web site.

It looks like a cool device and I think I’ll buy it. It is a very interesting technology and definitely something to keep on the watchlist. With the health-crazy generation we are becoming,  we will for sure find some use for it at some point.