The option to create and view groups doesn't seem to be available on the new "Modern" Garmin Connect interface yet. I just created a group using the old interface:
http://connect.garmin.com/group/648741
Message me if you'd like me to transfer ownership of the group.
I had a force and was in the process of doing an exchange because my band had broken (plastic piece under the screen). They cancelled my return because of the out break..
In order to sync you just open the app and hold the button down for a few seconds until it says sync. There is also a PC/MAC program but i don't use that.
The device can be taken off the band, i like this because if the band breaks or get dirty you can change it.
You can sign up for the Garmin site here http://connect.garmin.com/
You step goals change daily (from what i can tell its based on the prior day)
I use it to track steps, sleep, challenges, and heartrate during exercise (it pairs with their heartrate monitor I got with a forerunner 410). if we screenshare you can see my portal and how it all looks, or browse to my account and maybe some of it is public. <http://connect.garmin.com/modern/profile/ricksimons> I'm a DBA so I sit for 50 hours a week, so I mainly got it to track periods of inactivity, steps, and heartrate. it works perfectly for me, but again I have never had the nike+ or fitbit so it may be a bit of I don't know what I'm missing.
I can tell you that with the step tracking and online challenges, I went to the gym 30 of the past 33 days. for me I wish it had more analysis and more in-depth activity tracking, but like I said I think the connect site is geared more towards their other GPS watches and you lose a lot with the GPS-less vivofit. but I did go to the gym 30/33 so what it does track and present struck a chord in me re:motivation.
I really recommend the wahoo tickr
http://www.amazon.com/Wahoo-TICKR-Monitor-iPhone-Android/dp/B00INQVYZ8
It works over both bluetooth and ant+, so if you ever want to connect it to your phone or some other device you can. In fact, it can connect to an ant+ device and at least one bluetooth device simultaneously, so if you feel like using your vivofit 2 to display your hr while simultaneously using your phone to record your whole run (hr and gps), well, you can.
I bought a wahoo and a refurbished vivofit 2 a couple of weeks back, so I can confirm that they connect easily and have so far have played well together.
Does Windows phone have something like Drink water or similiar app? Android has dozens of these kind of apps.