Fitbit recalibration

From the very beginning of Earndit, we’ve been big believers in data collected by devices as opposed to manually entered data. This is for two primary reasons:

  1. Device-collected data is verifiable and more authentic than manually entered data. In order to maintain the integrity of our rewards and challenges, it’s critical that we minimize the potential for people to exaggerate the amount of exercise they do. This integrity is the reason why brands are willing to give you better offers than they give anyone else.
  2. Device-collected data is a better user experience. Manually entering data is like doing homework.

When we first integrated Fitbit with Earndit, it was only possible to earn points for data captured by the Fitbit device. Eventually something changed in Fitbit’s API that made it possible for manually entered data to also come through to us. Hence some Earndit members were able to get points for manually entered data. This is different than the other tracking services we’ve integrated.

We’ve recently changed the Fitbit integration such that points are given for device-collected data only. This was necessary to ensure Fitbit gets the same treatment as the other tracking services. A couple important notes to this change:

  1. If you’re physically active with the Fitbit device yet are no longer getting any points whatsoever, you likely need to re-authorize your Fitbit account with us. You can do this by going to your Settings page and clicking the “re-authorize” link next to Fitbit. Once you do this, your data should come over just fine.
  2. If you’re receiving fewer points than you used to, it’s likely because you were manually entering some of your activities and thus are no longer receiving points for that data.

If you have any questions, or if you think there may still be an issue with your account, please email me directly at andres@earndit.com or click the “Email” icon on the bottom of any page on Earndit (other than this blog).

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we worked through those changes.

Andres

This entry was posted on Friday, April 13th, 2012 at 11:19 am and is filed under Tracking, Website.

  • Vicki Bush

    I actually like this change Andres, it's just too bad it struck me yesterday on the one  day I go to a hard yoga class instead of run!   

  • Vikki

    I understand the reasoning behind it, but it disappoints me. Most days, I do up to an hour of high intensity cardio kickboxing which the fitbit doesn't estimate well so I enter it manually using info from my heart rate monitor. The only thing I let the fitbit do itself is my martial arts and running. So I'll lose a lot of points with this change.

  • Vikki

     It doesn't measure martial arts well either but I can't wear a heart rate monitor to class. Just clarifying. :)

  • Abhijeet Gaiha

    I don't mind the change, but you should consider adding support for Polar HRMs or some other such device. That and Fitbit are my two primary sources of exercise related data.

  • Mark Dix Taylor

    What about swimmers, there aren't any water proof trackers that would for swimming and upload to the internet, at least not yet.  Why should earndit motivate me to not swim since there is no way for me to get points for it?

  • Destiny

    I completely agree re: unfairness for swimming. I can't run b/c of knee problems, so swimming is my alternative. I should be able to earn points for perfectly valid activity. 

  • Kristen

    Swimming, yoga, Crossfit – no points for any of that. Kind of annoying that someone can saunter into a gym, synch to foursquare and get 1/4 of their points for the day — but those actually working out without a gym membership can't get credit for valid workouts. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/jenn.groppwiegelfrye Jenn Gropp Wiegel Frye

    this is quite frustrating for me… I just rode bicycle 140 miles in five days… and didn't take my fitbit because it isn't waterproof (and it rained 2 days and one night) and I don't get any (electronic) credit for it… it makes me very sad

  • http://www.facebook.com/jenn.groppwiegelfrye Jenn Gropp Wiegel Frye

    I understand the need for integrity and everything….

    but also my fitbit doesn't accurately measure miles when I ride bike… and my android phone doesn't have service where I ride… so my cardiotrainer doesn't work there… (and I don't even think that is on the list of linkable aps) … so how do I get credit for the miles that I bicycle???

  • http://www.facebook.com/mgjarvi Melanie Vincent Jarvis

    I agree with what the others are saying. I found this entry because I was so confused on why I wasn't getting all of my earned minutes. I just logged over an hour in the pool and I'm EXHAUSTED but get no points for it b/c I can't wear the fitbit for swimming… I wish you'd reconsider…