Fitbit launches two new tracking bands and hopes $250 Surge 'superwatch' can take on Apple
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Fitbit has revealed a trio of new trackers - including a $250 smartwatch it hopes can take on the Apple watch.
Called Surge, the watch has GPS, heart rate monitoring and smartwatch functionality.
The firm has also added a heart rate monitor to its traditional tracing wristband, now called the charge hr.
Fitbit's new range: The $129 fitbit charge, the $149 chargeHR while also has a heart rate sensors, and the $249 Surge which has GPS, heart rate monitoring and smartwatch functionality.
Not content with being one of the leading makers of activity trackers, Fitbit is now taking aim at the smartwatch market with a trio of new products.
Fitbit's new range includes the $129 fitbit charge, the $149 chargeHR while also has a heart rate sensors, and the $249 Surge which has GPS, heart rate monitoring and smartwatch functionality.
'Continuing our mission to inspire people to lead healthier, more active lives, we're releasing these three new innovative devices to help reach everyday, active or performance health and fitness goals,' the San Francisco firm said.
The Surge watch will put the firm on a collision course with Apple.
It's watch also contains heart rate sensors.
'Surge is Fitbit's most advanced tracker to date: a sleek 'Fitness Super Watch,' designed for those looking for peak performance,' the firm said.
Watch has GPS, heart rate monitoring and smartwatch functionality
'Featuring 8-sensor technology that combines all-day fitness tracking with GPS, heart rate monitoring and smartwatch functionality.
'Surge is ideal for users committed to training, dedicated to health and consistently looking to improve progress.'
Earlier this month details were revealed in marketing materials leaked to website's Chris Welch by a 'tipster'.
Other features of the wristband include a more advanced sleep tracker, and a silent alarm that wakes wearers up using vibrations.
Current FitBit models track runners using the GPS on a connected phone.
THE FITBIT CHARGE & CHARGE HR
The Charge is a new version of the Force.
Fitbit describes it as a 'high-performance wristband that delivers all-day activity tracking, real-time fitness stats and Caller ID right on the wrist for people who want to step up their everyday activities to improve their overall health.
It can track steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned and floors climbed
The $129 fitbit charge is available from today
Automatic sleep detection monitors sleep quality using motion analysis to understand sleep and wake times; also features a silent, vibrating alarm
Caller ID to helps users stay connected to incoming calls; the wristband vibrates and shows the caller's name or number when a smartphone is nearby
Exercise tracking to easily record workouts, see real-time exercise stats and have summaries appear automatically on the Fitbit dashboard.
The $149 Charge HR will be available next year
The Charge HR adds Fitbit's proprietary PurePulse optical heart rate technology, which provides continuous and automatic wrist-based heart rate monitoring, without an uncomfortable chest strap.
PurePulse uses safe LED lights to detect blood volume changes right on the wrist to deliver heart rate monitoring 24/7.
It was rumoured that the Californian firm would release a standalone heart rate monitor called PurePulse, but this technology has been built into the new products.
This is expected to provide real-time workout data, and statistics - including heart rate, calories, steps, pace, elevation and distance - will sync wirelessly to a smartphone via an app.
And the leaked reports revealed the watch will be available in black, grey and orange.
It was rumoured Fitbit would release a standalone heart rate monitor called PurePulse, but this technology is now expected to be built into an upcoming device. It is expected to provide real-time workout data, and statistics will sync wirelessly to a smartphone via an app (pictured)
These were revealed in a patent application, filed earlier this year, which detailed a wearable device called FitBit Charge that includes, among other features: 'Pedometers; altimeters; devices for displaying [and] measuring, time, date, steps taken, calories burned, distance travelled, floors climbed, active time, elevation, altitude, speed, pace, hours slept, quality of sleep, heart rate, routes, navigational information, and weather information.'
The fitbit Surge will compete against Apple's smartwatch
The application also continued that Fitbit's patented devices will link to phones to 'control volume and notify users of incoming calls or messages.'
This suggests the devices will feature 'smart' notifications, including call and text notifications, on the wrist, and will let wearers control music from their wrist – in a bid to take on smartwatches.
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