Value for Money

Chapter 9Make It Stick: Design for Application and Impact

If you’re concerned about monitoring your exercise with the goal of becoming more fit and losing a few extra pounds, then the odds are that you’re aware of Fitbit. Whether it’s a device that clips to your pocket or is worn on your wrist, Fitbit monitors steps, hours of sleep, and more. The company behind it has been a phenomenal success. Since its beginning in 2008, Fitbit has sold more than 63 million devices, and the stock peaked at $48 a share shortly after it went public in 2015. As of 2017, it was just over $5. Quarterly sales at the beginning of 2017 were 40 percent lower than the previous period a year ago. Meanwhile, in July 2017, Jawbone, maker of the UP-wristband fitness tracker who at one time started UP fresh with venture capital funding and $3 billion evaluation, is liquidating its assets [1].

Does this mean that this is a fad that is going away, like so many others? Perhaps not. One thing is for certain: the Fitbit has more competition than before. Some of the competition is promising all types of measurement tracking, including monitoring blood sugar for diabetes without piercing the skin. The situation with Fitbit might need a little more explanation.

Of Fitbit’s over 50 million registered users, less than half, 23.2 million, remain active. It seems the first generation of fitness trackers has largely run its course. Three major issues appear to have caused the decline of Fitbit. First, they are a victim ...