Fitbit unveils health-focused smartwatch to revive ailing demand
September 2, 2017 at 4:48AM
Smartwatch offers health focus
Fitbit has unveiled its first smartwatch. The Fitbit Ionic has a square touch screen similar to the one on the Apple Watch. It includes a heart-rate monitor, GPS tracking and four-day battery life. The watch, which is water resistant up to 50 meters, can make wireless payments and store music offline from Pandora Media.
Fitbit recently lost its position as the top seller of wearable devices, falling behind Apple and China's Xiaomi, and is hoping the new device will reinvigorate demand and differentiate itself from other smartwatches.
For example, the smartwatch is the company's first device to include a sensor that can estimate blood oxygen levels, called a relative SpO2 sensor.
"Smartwatches are a platform for us to deliver the most powerful health tools the market has seen," Chief Executive James Parks aid.
In addition to the watch, Fitbit is rolling out an upgraded smart scale, the Aria 2, and $129.95 Bluetooth headphones that pair with the smartwatch.
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Evan Ramstad
Ramstad: ‘X-factor’ in unraveling Minnesota Paradox is building friendships across racial lines
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