Fitbit is still struggling to launch its first proper smartwatch. Initially planned for this quarter’s release, the upcoming wearable has been delayed until later this year due to several issues which include GPS performance.
Now we get an early peek of Fitbit’s upcoming smartwatch thanks to Yahoo Finance and it looks like an evolution of its current Blaze fitness watch.
The design is unmistakably Fitbit. It gets a square face like the Fitbit Blaze but with narrower bezels at the sides. However, it retains a large chin with a prominent Fitbit branding.
According to Yahoo Finance’s sources, the new smartwatch, codenamed “Higgs” will come with a bright 1,000nits colour display and has built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring and the ability to make contactless payments. A full charge claims to last up to 4 days and it will also allow you to store music from Pandora.
In terms of software, it is likely to run on Fitbit’s propriety operating system and it will be released with a selection pre-installed apps. An app store will be eventually released later, which opens up the wearable to third party developers.
For better durability, the watch will come with an aluminium unibody design with swappable watchbands. Fitbit was said to faced challenges with waterproofing and being a fitness tracker, this would be a deal breaker especially for those who swim. It’s main competitor, the Apple Watch series 2 is already waterproof up to 50 metres. Plus, there’s even a feature to clear up its speakers through vibration.
Apart from a smartwatch, Fitbit is also working on a pair of earphones that’s codenamed “Parkside”. Priced at around US$150 (about RM650), it connects via Bluetooth and it can hang around your neck when it’s not in use.
Fitbit still dominates when it comes to fitness trackers and they are trying to tap into the smartwatch segment as its next growth area. Their previous attempts like the Surge and Blaze are basically fitness trackers with larger screens but they don’t handle notifications and extra features like a proper smartwatch. When this Fitbit smartwatch hits the market, it is expected to go for US$300 (about RM1,300).
Would you consider Fitbit as your next smartwatch over Android Wear, Samsung Gear and Apple Watch? Let us know in the comments below.
