Caller ID will launch on the Fitbit Force during February

By Mike Flacy January 9, 2014

Fitbit Force — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Currently being demoed at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Fitbit will be rolling out a free update to the Fitbit Force software next month that will add caller ID functionality to the fitness tracking bracelet. Limited to iPhone users at the initial release of the update, the bracelet will start vibrating when a call is incoming on the user’s smartphone. In addition, the small digital display of the Fitbit Force will show the name of the person that’s calling. Depending on the length of the name programmed into the iPhone’s contact list, it will scroll across the display from right to left.

This could be ideal for anyone that likes to keep their iPhone in a purse or laptop bag rather than in a pocket. According to Fitbit representatives, Android support is also in the works, but won’t be available the same time that the iOS update is released. Of course, Fitbit is also working on increasing the number of supported Android devices when it comes to the Fitbit Force.

According to Droid Life, Fitibt recently added support for the HTC One, Moto X, LG G2, Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 as well as the DROID Mini, ULTRA, MAXX and the DROID RAZR, RAZR HD, RAZR HD MAXX. Fitbit devices require Bluetooth 4.0 for compatibility, thus upgrading to Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) or 4.4 (Kit Kat) is required to enable it.

Currently retailing for about $130, the Fitbit Force tracks fitness data such as calories burned, stairs climbed, steps taken and total distance traveled during the day. The device also includes a silent vibration alarm for waking up in the morning and is water resistant for all-day use. All of this data can be tracked on the Web version of the Fitbit site or using the mobile companion app. This data can be combined with data from the Fitbit Aria, a digital scale, to track weight loss and overall body fat percentage.

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