Philips introduces DirectLife activity monitor / fitness program
By Donald Melanson 
posted Oct 21st 2009 5:25AM
posted Oct 21st 2009 5:25AM
Well, we just finished putting the Fitbit activity monitor through its paces, but it looks like Philips has now come out with a strikingly similar device of its own -- which, like the Fitbit, promises to help you get more active by monitoring you all the time. From the sound of it, however, it seems that Philip's so-called DirectLife monitor has a few more tricks up its sleeve, not the least of which is a full-fledged fitness program complete with its own online personal coaches (who contribute to the $12.50 a month cost). The activity monitor itself also seems to have a few advantages over the Fitbit, including some LED lights that show your progress at a glance, and a built-in USB plug that eschews the need for a dock. Then again, it does still make use of nothing more than a basic accelerometer to monitor your activity, which isn't always the most foolproof option. It also packs the same $99 price tag as the Fitbit, but Philips will knock that down to $79 if you order this month, and even throw in a four-month membership for good measure.
$99 to be told you are in fact, alive?
I remember seeing a prototype of this last summer.
Uh hi,
"The activity monitor itself also has a few seeming advantages over the Fitbit, including some basic LED lights that show your progress at a glance, and a built-in USB plug that eschews the need for a dock."
The LED lights provide far less information than FitBit's OLED display.
USB Plug is not built in, you need a special little plug-thing. Look half way down the right side of this page:
http://www.directlife.philips.com/how_it_works/
The Philips is waterproof, and suitable to track swimming -- something the FitBit cannot do. But, as mentioned, the Philips is going to run you $12.50 a month, every month, after you purchase it. FitBit is free.
I'm interested in these devices, but I'm waiting to see where they go at this point. I'd probably hop on the FitBit if they beefed up the website more, and perhaps added an iPhone app.
how are led's an advantage over the fitbit?
the fitbit has a text lcd.
I don't have either, but this feels like a plug for an inferior product.
the fitbit is clearly better, doesn't have a monthly cost, and looks sleeker
????
as a employee of a division of philips we were offered to take part in the directlife trial run and so far it had been a good experience. It helps track your progress and shows how you were before and how you should be in the future. When people here started wearign it i thought it was jsut a gimic but so far it has helped motviate me more and keep going to the gym. Nothing like a usb plug in to tell you, you are fat and need to be awya from the computer when i get home.
Merge this with some motivate like www.cadenceapp.com and you've got me sold
The big advantage of the Philips device is that you can take it swimming. If swimming is your activity of choice, then this is the one to go with.