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Technology news


Fitbit prepares to list on NY Stock Exchange


Wearable tracking device Fitbit has filed for an initial public offering worth up to US$100m and intends to lists its shares on the New York Stock Exchange. The company, which features on pages


50-51 of this issue, has sold almost 21 million devices since 2011, with more than half of those sales achieved in 2014. In 2014 the company generated


US$745.4m (€652m, £471.5m) in revenue – almost triple that of the previous year – and the same pace has continued into 2015. These figures show that fitness tracking


has moved out of the realms of the fitness buff and into the mainstream. However, despite Fitbit being a big player, it’s facing growing competition, particularly from smartwatches like the Apple Watch. Details: http://lei.sr?a=F6h6G


Paying users receive exclusive content — including recipes, meal plans and nutrition tips Fitbit enjoyed strong sales in 2014


MyFitnessPal, the health and fitness tracking app which boasts 85 million users, has launched a new upgrade aimed at helping fitness enthusiasts move beyond step-counting and take their wellness regimes to the next level. The firm, which was bought by sportswear giant Under Armour for US$475m (€419m, £309m) earlier this year, has introduced a premium tier to its service designed to help heavily-engaged users personalise their app experience to fit their own needs and dietary


concerns. Having attracted huge numbers of users through its free proposition, analysts say MyFitnessPal’s latest offering shows the company starting to confront the challenge of converting its extensive reach into consistent revenue streams. The paid version of the app costs US$9.99 a month. It’s mainly diet-focused and allows those with specific needs to work out exactly how much of each nutrient they are getting. Details: http://lei.sr?a=Z9J8N


Fitness-focused Microsoft Band goes on sale in the UK


Microsoft has made its long-awaited entrance into the UK wearable tech sector with the launch of the fitness-focused Microsoft Band. The wearable device boasts 10 sensors that can track a number


of exercise and health metrics, including sleep quality, heart rate, calories, stress and even a person’s sun exposure. Initial reaction has seen the Band – which received a limited


release in the US on 30 October 2014 – hailed as a potential rival to the Apple Watch. Indeed, the Microsoft Band boasts more sensors and at £169.99 is considerably cheaper than the Apple offering (which starts from £231), while the Band is compatible Windows Phone, iOS and Android devices. The wider accessibility of the Band – the Apple Watch will only be compatible with Apple mobile products – forms part of Microsoft’s goal for the device to help people lead healthier lives and be more productive, regardless of what smartphone they have. One drawback for the Band is that it falls more into the functional than fashionable category in terms of design. It can also currently only store 13 apps on the device at any one time, although these can be switched. Microsoft will no doubt be hoping it fares better with wearables than it has in the smartphone sector, where Windows devices account for just 2.7 per cent of the market (according to


16


the International Data Corporation) – well behind the dominant offerings from Samsung and Apple. The new Band is now available both through the Microsoft Store online and from various high street retailers. Details: http://lei.sr?a=h8Z2B


MyFitnessPal cashes in on app


Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital


The Band is hailed as a potential rival to the Apple Watch June 2015 ©


Cybertrek 2015


PHOTO:WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM


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