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Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

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Re: Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

#81

Post by simcop2387 »

Thrymr wrote: post #52
bloaf wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not try to intercept the data as it comes through the USB port instead?

Or try liftbit as noted above: https://github.com/openyou/libfitbit

libfitbit unfortunately doesn't currently work with the fitbit one, for the older devices it's apparently fine but the one changes how it gets talked to entirely. I've attempted a bit of work with getting something talking to it but it's not an easy thing to do. Their bluetooth dongle presents itself as an HID device and I think hides a lot of the details away from you if you wanted to talk to it over actual bluetooth. I'd love to get it to sync with both their site and to be able to capture the information myself to store.

Re: Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

#82

Post by qdot76367 »

beaumartinez wrote: post #29

I feel the same with regards to my Nike FuelBand. I even asked Nike if they would provide an API[0] (they won't). Fortunately their web app keeps your NikeFuel—Nike's activity metric—for every day (in 15-minute increments) as a global JavaScript variable. I wrote a scraper[1] to get me my data. I wonder if you can do the same with Fitbit. [0] https://twitter.com/NikeFuel/status/205424488836370433 [1] https://github.c…

I started a library to get data out of the fuelband, but never got very far mainly due to time:

http://github.com/qdot/libfuelband

Re: Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

#83

Post by qdot76367 »

I run http://openyou.org, a site dedicated to reversing as many medical devices as we (or, well, at the moment, mostly I) can get our (my) hands on.

So far, we've put out Emokit (emotiv epoc headset), libfitbit, libomron, and have started libfuelband and libsensewear. The main problem is just time and lack of people resources. We need more people aware that USB/Bluetooth reversing, while somewhat complex, is not all that inherently difficult. 2 or 3 people working together can easily open up a device and protocol format with a minimal amount of [insert language that supports libusb or hidapi] code. However, not many people are interested in learning that, as they just wanna get the data and run. Understandable, but that means you're waiting on one or two people to finish something that they may lose interest in.

I've been contemplating trying to teach a usb/bt reversing workshop for years now, I should really get around to trying that soon.

Re: Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

#84

Post by jfb »

freehunter wrote: post #62
jfb wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or Quebec?

I would guess the reason they don't sell in Quebec is because their product is not localized for French speakers. The company I work with is nationwide in Canada except for Quebec because of the legal hassles and logistical troubles of localizing for French speakers as mandated by law in Quebec.

That makes sense. I'm still trying to get used to living in Canada.

Re: Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

#85

Post by unreal37 »

So this may be a counter argument to the "Hacker" culture, but here goes. Hopefully this can spark an interesting discussion.

I own a fitbit, and have loved it. I don't regret paying the $99 for it. I log into the web site, and see my daily totals, and the little graph showing when my activity spikes were. At the end of a grueling day walking around New York City, I can tell my wife that we took 20,000 steps and that's a bit interesting. It's useful and interesting - only to a point.

So after reading this post, my main question is "Why?"

Why do you need minute-by-minute access to pedometer data? What use is it, really? The OP says, basically, "out of curiosity". OK, so hack the thing. There's a number of links for intercepting that data during the sync process. But can you fault fitbit for not providing data that noone (not even the company itself) needs?

What data can the fitbit give you on a minute-by-minute basis that is remotely useful or interesting?

It's just a pedometer. At the end of the day, it tells you you took 10,000 steps or whatever. It's also interesting that you walked 50 miles this month, or have walked up steps to the level of a helicopter flies. Or how many miles you've walked this year.

But minute-by-minute?

Re: Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

#86

Post by vitovito »

qdot76367 wrote: post #83

I run http://openyou.org , a site dedicated to reversing as many medical devices as we (or, well, at the moment, mostly I) can get our (my) hands on. So far, we've put out Emokit (emotiv epoc headset), libfitbit, libomron, and have started libfuelband and libsensewear. The main problem is just time and lack of people resources. We need more people aware that USB/Bluetooth reversing, while somewhat complex, is not all…

There's not a lot of help out there for people who are willing to put the time and effort into protocol reversing but don't know where to start!

EA put out a fitness video game with a wireless heart rate monitor that showed up as a normal HID device via its USB dongle. On sale it was like $40, making it a very inexpensive way to log heart rate wirelessly. But no-one had reversed the protocol, and I couldn't find any online resources to teach me how to do it myself.

I'm pretty sure I threw it out, and the product is discontinued now, but I would encourage you to at least put training materials together, if not a full workshop.

Re: Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

#87

Post by quantumstate »

npsimons wrote: post #60
alexkus wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have various Garmins (Forerunner 405 for running and Edge 705 for cycling). None of my data goes to Garmin as I just use Garmin Training Centre and don't upload anything to Garmin Connect.

Much as I dislike Garmin's lack of support for Linux, I have to second this. My Forerunner 405, eTrex Vista and Vista HCx all download to my computer, with the option ( not forced ) of uploading. I have full access to .GPX files that I can use with any number of pieces of software (including Google Earth and Maps). Also, I've been pretty happy with the Zephyr HxM hooked up to my N900, and the wife has a Zephyr as wel…

It case you haven't come across it I have found that garmintools and pytrainer work very well with my forerunner 305. I have never used anything else.

Re: Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

#88

Post by qdot76367 »

vitovito wrote: post #86
qdot76367 wrote: post #83

I run http://openyou.org , a site dedicated to reversing as many medical devices as we (or, well, at the moment, mostly I) can get our (my) hands on. So far, we've put out Emokit (emotiv epoc headset), libfitbit, libomron, and have started libfuelband and libsensewear. The main problem is just time and lack of people resources. We need more people aware that USB/Bluetooth reversing, while somewhat complex, is not all…

There's not a lot of help out there for people who are willing to put the time and effort into protocol reversing but don't know where to start! EA put out a fitness video game with a wireless heart rate monitor that showed up as a normal HID device via its USB dongle. On sale it was like $40, making it a very inexpensive way to log heart rate wirelessly. But no-one had reversed the protocol, and I couldn't find any…

Yeah, I will admit that information does end up being the main problem. I've been doing this long enough that it's pretty much second nature these days, and I just find myself going "but what is there to teach?".

I've taught workshops on other subjects before, and usually once I get going to writing cirriculum that question answers itself in spades, though. Just need the motivation.

I'm finishing up another personal project right now, then I may start on this. I suppose I don't really have much room to complain when I've already set out a solution that just needs to be done. :)

Re: Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

#89

Post by bigfrakkinghero »

I purchased a FitBit based on it's reputation without realizing that I would have to pay to access the data that I'm collecting... deal breaker! As others have said, I understand charging for an ongoing service like analyzing the data and using their site, but not for just accessing the raw data from the device.

For me, this is the first time that not owning my own data has really put me off. I'll be returning my FitBit.

Re: Fitbit, why can’t I have my data?

#90

Post by vitovito »

qdot76367 wrote: post #88
vitovito wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's not a lot of help out there for people who are willing to put the time and effort into protocol reversing but don't know where to start! EA put out a fitness video game with a wireless heart rate monitor that showed up as a normal HID device via its USB dongle. On sale it was like $40, making it a very inexpensive way to log heart rate wirelessly. But no-one had reversed the protocol, and I couldn't find any…

Yeah, I will admit that information does end up being the main problem. I've been doing this long enough that it's pretty much second nature these days, and I just find myself going "but what is there to teach?". I've taught workshops on other subjects before, and usually once I get going to writing cirriculum that question answers itself in spades, though. Just need the motivation. I'm finishing up another personal…

I ran fifteen design workshops in 2010, so feel free to ping me off HN if you have questions or need support. The HID protocol used by the USB version of the Neurosky Mindwave EEG headset is also undocumented AFAIK, and I could test drive your training using that.

You might also consider trying out Zed Shaw's "Learn X the Hard Way" format as a framework, which he recently formally published: https://gitorious.org/learn-x-the-hard-way/learn-x-the-hard-...

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