I'm done counting steps: Fitbit's founders built a $250 gadget for the rest of us

Are you tired of counting steps? There's a solution!

Luffu band on a woman's wrist
Luffu wants to reimagine health tracking. | Image by Luffu
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Are you tired of counting steps? There's a solution! Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman have launched a new wearable, called Luffu Link. It doesn't have a screen and has a completely different approach to health tracking.

Luffu Link Band listens to what you have to say



This new screenless fitness and health band can track vitals and activities, such as heart rate and sleep, but there's another novelty inside.

Eric and James thought that constantly checking your smartwatch or fitness band is not good for your health (ironically). Health tracking is combined with voice guidance from the users. You can simply describe how you feel, record the medications you're on, your last meal, your mood, etc.

It's an interesting take on the screenless health monitoring, but the Luffu Band has more unique features on board.

Would you switch your current smartwatch or fitness tracker for a screenless one?
3 Votes


Aimed at families



The Luffu Link is aimed at families, and it has GPS and LTE, allowing for some neat security features. You can share your location and contact family members, and with a double press, it sends a "check-in" notification to your family, and you can also request help if need arises.

The LTE service is included in the price and doesn't require a carrier plan. The Luffu Link can last up to five days on a single charge and is available in three cool color variants — Halo Gold, Onyx Black, and Sterling Blue.

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What about the price?



The band is already available for pre-orders at $249.99, and the expected retail price is 299.99. The Luffu Link will start shipping in the US in early 2027.

This wearable is part of a bigger plan. Park and Friedman plan to revolutionize health tracking. The companion app is currently in beta, and it's designed to use AI to organize data, spot patterns, and track changes in your overall lifestyle.

If you're worried about privacy, the band only listens to you when you press the button. Park and Rickman plan to launch a home health hub device next, but information on this is scarce at the moment. Back in 2007, Park and Rickman co-founded Fitbit. The company was acquired by Google in 2019.

The screenless smart wearables era?


The idea of a screenless wearable is not new. Other companies such as Garmin and the aforementioned Fitbit also have such models (Fitbit Air, Garmin CIRQA), and the WHOOP subscription-based band is also getting traction.

For me, personally, not having to constantly check the screen of my wearable is a huge bonus. It's liberating and reminds me of my Withings Scan Watch. The price is a bit steep, but we'll see how this pans out.

Would you switch your current smartwatch or fitness tracker for a screenless one?
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