Wii Fit: The Blue way to weight loss

With the release of the Wii, Nintendo roped in the first tier of noncustomers: those that would have soon left to red ocean competitors Sony or Microsoft. There seems to be broad consensus in the gaming community that Nintendo will be a solid #1 in "next-gen" consoles installed base at the end of 2008, despite Microsoft's one-year lead in getting a product to market and Sony's prior dominance of the field.

The second tier of noncustomers are those who consciously choose against the market, and the latest gadget out of Kyoto is aimed squarely at this group. The Wii Fit is an advanced exercise pad that tracks your weight and movement, and turns the Wii into a digital personal trainer intended just for you.

The Fit shipped December 1, 2007, in Japan and Nintendo has already sold 1 million units. We in the US are scheduled for a Q2 release. I'll be waiting in line to buy one.

The second tier of noncustomers, in this case, are those that have no interest in videogames. Despite my geek credentials I fit into this group. I think the Wii's great because I like technology and business. I appreciate the brilliance behind the blending of technology and business, but video games just don't have much appeal.

I'll be all over the Wii Fit though, pardon the pun. The alternative to the Fit isn't other videogame systems (except maybe the great one hit wonder "Dance Dance Revolution") but, rather, gyms and trainers and that all time fitness favorite ... nothing.

I'm not sure what Nintendo will do to to capture the third tier of noncustomers, those in markets entirely distant (Wii telephony?, Wii-link to order food?, Wii pets?). But as I wait to find out I'll be spending less time on the treadmill and more time on the Fit; a skinnier person soon after the Fit finally ships.