BodyMedia Returns From Las Vegas a Winner

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Even though the lights have been turned off and the convention center doors are closed, "Viva Las Vegas" is still ringing true for BodyMedia®, the pioneers in developing wearable body monitoring systems.  Marking the company's debut at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show, BodyMedia officially launched the BodyMedia FIT™ Armband BW at the recent trade show, taking home the 2011 Bluetooth SIG Best of CES Award in the NEXT category.  On top of that, the innovative company announced major partnerships with Sprint and Panasonic.  Not too shabby for a first time performance in sin city!

Enabled by cutting edge Bluetooth® wireless technology, the BodyMedia FIT Armband BW collects users' information, such as calorie burn, steps taken, physical activity levels and sleep through a portable Armband, sending the results straight to their smartphones.  With instantaneous updates, the system makes the information easily accessible, allowing consumers to check their progress at any second of the day.  Setting and monitoring workout goals, as well as logging food, are other advantages of the program.  

"The BodyMedia FIT Armband BW is a perfect example of thinking outside of the box when it comes to Bluetooth connectivity – we enable a great deal more than just the wireless headsets so many consumers are familiar with today," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG.  "Bluetooth wireless technology can connect anything and improve practically any consumer electronics experience – in this case, Bluetooth technology allows users to better monitor and track their activity and calorie expenditure, an essential step to improving one's health."  

Rising above a record number of entries focusing on Bluetooth products now available in the marketplace, the BodyMedia FIT Armband BW was carefully reviewed and judged by the Bluetooth SIG based on a variety of criteria, including interoperability testing, containing expected profiles and ease of use.  Ten finalists were chosen before the week started, and the BodyMedia FIT Armband BW was unveiled as the winner of the NEXT category by the end of CES.  

Showing just how informative and unique the new Mobile platform is, BodyMedia showcased a number of experiential initiatives during CES through Nic the Intern – a living Las Vegas product demonstration!  Showing up in BodyMedia style, Nic Wilson and John (Ivo) Stivoric, CTO of BodyMedia, skydived straight into CES (watch the video here:  www.youtube.com/BodyMediaFIT, pictures available upon request)!  Tracking his calories burned, steps taken, physical activity levels and sleep throughout the trade show, Nic did everything from completing a 5k run and racing a Lamborghini, to performing in a Chippendale's show and dancing around Las Vegas Boulevard in a pink monkey suit.  Linked to his BodyMedia FIT Armband BW for five days, he tracked 24,780 calories burned, 76,815 steps taken, 2,324 minutes of activity, and 13 Hours and 42 minutes of sleep!  Check out the data he streamed from his smartphone and the videos documenting his various adventures on the web at www.follownicsband.com.  

Also at CES, Panasonic and BodyMedia announced a partnership to put both organizations on the cutting edge for adding important health and wellness information to everyday TV viewing.  The innovative BodyMedia FIT App will sync with Panasonic's VIERA Connect™ -enabled HDTVs via  Bluetooth wireless technology to allow a family (up to four users) to track their calorie burn and activity trends in real time as they work out while watching TV or playing video games.  Scheduled to launch in May 2011, VIERA Connect will expand the role of the television within one's home as the integration of a body monitoring technology with the TV is enabling real-time health and wellness management.

Additionally, BodyMedia and Sprint teamed up at CES to unveil a Sprint ID pack which will allow consumers to personalize select Android™ mobile devices from Sprint with the BodyMedia FIT pack of health and wellness featured apps and widgets.  This ID pack will be available to consumers in the first half of the year.  Through a partnership, the two companies also announced a new line of embedded wireless BodyMedia FIT Armbands and future wearable body monitors.  This line, set to launch in 2011, will use the M2M platform to wirelessly send information to the users' smartphones where mobile application can provide near real-time feedback and analysis.

BodyMedia FIT products are sold online at www.bodymedia.com or at select retailers, such as Costco, Amazon and Best Buy.  The BodyMedia FIT Armband BW retails for $249.00.  Subscriptions for the BodyMedia FIT Activity Manager vary by length – a one-month subscription costs $12.95, a six-month subscription costs $9.95 a month, and a 12-month subscription costs $6.95 a month.  Apps are available at The App Store for iPhone® and Marketplace for Android.

About BodyMedia, Inc.

When your body talks, BodyMedia listens.  BodyMedia has been unlocking and deciphering secrets of the body since 1999. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, BodyMedia is the pioneer in developing wearable body monitoring systems designed to help people lose weight, improve performance, and lead healthier lives. Our patented multi-sensor technology provides continuous body-monitoring that tracks physical activity levels, calories expended and sleep patterns.  What sets BodyMedia technology apart is our validated accuracy, our clinically proven outcomes and our FDA status as a Class II medical device.  

At BodyMedia, we are jazzed by the potential of putting this vital information directly into the hands of individuals, empowering them to take charge and improve their lives.  No wonder BodyMedia measures success not only in financial milestones, but in the way we've changed how hundreds of thousands of users can take control, stay motivated and reach their health and fitness goals. For more information, visit www.bodymedia.com.

SOURCE BodyMedia, Inc.