Gadgetory

hi this is Brian Bennett for cnet.com and right now we're taking a first look at the Fitbit zip at 5995 essentially $60 this fitness gadget is one of the most affordable smart pedometers around the Fitbit zip is also the lowest price product in fitbit's current health tracker lineup which includes the Fitbit one and the Fitbit flex wristband both of which costs ninety nine ninety five you do get a lot of capability for the Fitbit zips low price the zip tracks how many steps you take calories burned and distance traveled the device is also water-resistant so running in the rain or subjecting it to an odd splash won't be a problem there are no physical controls on the zip to interact with the product just tap it's small LCD screen doing so will cycle through its various screens that display your current stats the zip will even stick out its graphical tongue at you if it feels you're not moving enough likewise the zip will beam at you with a virtual grin for good behavior the Fitbit zip is encased in a silicone sleeve with a clip designed to attach to clothing Fitbit says the device will operate if you just slip it into pockets - there are five Fitbit zip hues to choose from blue magenta white charcoal and lime Fitbit bundles a color-coordinated clip for each zip flavor as well just like the Fitbit one and Fitbit flex the zip syncs tracking data to PCs iPhones and compatible Android handsets via wireless bluetooth connection to link to pcs the device uses a USB bluetooth adapter provided in the box through the app and desktop website you have access to fitbit's deep vault of data analysis tools you can also leverage the company's large database of food items to log what you eat and see how that compares against your calories burned unlike the one in Flex trackers the zip relies on a standard watch battery also included for its power source Fitbit says the three volt coin battery offers about four to six months of juice1 ability of the zip lacks one that it's other Fitbit brethren feature is sleep tracking that's a bummer for someone like me who is always sleep deprived and cost looking for ways to up my Z's I'm Brian Bennet for cnet.com and this has been a first look at the Fitbit zip be sure to check back soon for a full review