"They are motivational items for people who don't exercise every day, but want to"
More precisely, metric optimizers or those who like grind games.
My chronological experience with my fitbit was exactly the same as my experience with EVEonline and a couple other MMORPGs.
They work, and work well, and the exercise trackers are doing a good thing, but only for a small susceptible segment of the population.
I still carry the thing in my pocket and charge it and glance at the weekly emails, but when it breaks, I'm all done. Still going to walk after meals and go on weekend hikes, just like I've done for decades without keeping track.
More precisely, metric optimizers or those who like grind games.
My chronological experience with my fitbit was exactly the same as my experience with EVEonline and a couple other MMORPGs.
They work, and work well, and the exercise trackers are doing a good thing, but only for a small susceptible segment of the population.
I still carry the thing in my pocket and charge it and glance at the weekly emails, but when it breaks, I'm all done. Still going to walk after meals and go on weekend hikes, just like I've done for decades without keeping track.