Popular Mechanics is the new Alpha Mom. The publication loves Wii Fit so much, it put it on its Top 10 Most Brilliant Gadgets of 2007 list, writing that it "turns fitness into a game, instead of a chore." It shares a spot on the list with consumer products like Apple's iPhone, Microsoft's Surface and the Zonbu Zonbox, none of which make exercising fun and therefore fail miserably. I suppose I could do a thousand bicep curls with my iPhone and see some results. I'll let you know how that goes.

2007 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards [Popular Mechanics]

The Wii Balance Board for WiiFit will not support those who weigh over 300lbs (136kg), at least not in Japan. Given the largeness impressiveness of the American waistline, Nintendo would do well to beef up the specs a bit while the rest of us beef down. But at the same time, what a slap in the face that would be: "Here's your cinder block board, America. Complete with cupholder!"

Given our experience with WiiFit, it's a lackluster product bordering on 99% marketing gimmick. So our guess is that the 300+ pounders among us will be better off going for a walk anyway. And besides, that Nike iPod integration is way more impressive than this whole WiiFit thing, and just about as fun (because it's not really at all). And you won't trip over the pea-sized device every time you walk in the room. Just our two cents.


Wii Fit weight limit [via maxconsole]

At Nintendo's Fall Conference today, WiiFit was dated and priced for Japan. The software and balance board bundle will go on sale December 1st for ¥8,800 ($US 75). Not too expensive if you think of it more as a piece of exercise equipment and less as game peripheral.
WiiFit Decided [Famitsu]