Fitbit’s new lineup of watches and trackers isn’t meant to get you to switch your current machine with a brand new one. It’s meant for individuals who don’t have one but.
In reality, for those who already personal a Fitbit, the brand new members of the lineup will look remarkably just like the one in your wrist. There’s a brand new member of the Versa household, an up to date health band with a monochrome show, and a brand new tracker for youths. But all of them have one factor in widespread: they’re cheaper than ever.
The new units couldn’t come at a greater time. According to the corporate, Fitbit remains to be the quantity two smartwatch maker on this planet behind Apple, however the hole is shrinking between it and its rivals. The firm nonetheless posted growth in active users last year, however the fee was its slowest but, simply 10 p.c over the prior 12 months. The most important purpose, based on Fitbit, is worth and complexity, and the brand new lineup addresses these two issues head on.
All 4 new units decrease the barrier to entry, but it surely’s not simply that costs have been decreased. Just as essential, performance has been simplified and the lineup has been streamlined, all with one aim: bringing extra folks into the Fitbit tent.
Lite, daring, and easy
The Fitbit Versa Lite Edition appears and feels precisely the existing model but it surely prices $40 much less ($160 versus $200) and is available in two new daring colours: blue and magenta, along with the normal silver. It additionally has only a single energy/wake button now, so all navigation is completed by swiping and tapping the display screen. Otherwise, the dimensions, form, and display screen are all precisely the identical.
The Versa Lite (high) is identical dimension and form because the common Versa.
That means the Versa Lite is each bit as trendy and comfy as the unique mannequin. The bands are backwards appropriate with the unique fashions, and Fitbit is introducing a number of new ones, together with a hybrid knit strap that gained’t fray throughout a exercise. The new colours are notably expressive, and look nice with the brand new colourful watch faces.
Like the unique mannequin, the Versa Lite makes use of your cellphone’s GPS for location, however the Lite mannequin lacks the on-screen exercises in addition to on-board Wi-Fi, so it might probably’t stream music on the go. And whereas the Versa Lite has the identical “swimproof” 50-meter water resistance as the usual Versa, it doesn’t embody computerized swim monitoring. Nor does it have an altimeter, so it gained’t file the flooring you’ve climbed.
However, Fitbit feels as if it’s made the correct compromises with the Versa Lite. It has the identical four-day battery life, and with a single button, there’s no confusion as to what must be pressed when (which is a little bit of a problem on the unique mannequin). And because of a brand new replace system, you’ll be capable of begin utilizing your Versa Lite faster than earlier than. Even with out Wi-Fi on board, Fitbit says the Versa’s updating course of has been sped up so that you don’t have to attend round for an enormous recordsdata to obtain abruptly.
Michael Simon/IDGThe Fitbit Inspire HR and Versa Lite and inexpensive variations of Fitbit’s fashionable trackers.
For instance, factory-fresh Fitbit Versa Lites will have already got a part of the Fitbit 3.0 system replace downloaded on the watch, so setup set up will take only a few minutes. As new updates arrive, micro downloads will provoke every time you sync together with your cellphone, so whenever you’re prepared to put in it, the method will likely be a lot quicker. As such, the out-of-the-box replace to my evaluate unit put in a lot faster than it did on prior Fitbit units, and I used to be in a position to begin utilizing it in only a couple minutes.
A flexible new tracker
Also new to the Fitbit lineup are the Inspire and Inspire HR bands for $70 and $100, respectively, which is able to change the ageing Alta and Zip trackers. Small, smooth, and very light-weight, the Inspire doubles as a band or a clip-on, relying on the accent you connect it to.
Michael Simon/IDGThe Fitbit Inspire HR is a bit of chunky, but it surely’s very comfy in your wrist.
It’s additionally extremely easy. Like an ultra-small Charge 3, the Inspire has alarms, timers, and train apps whenever you swipe down, and an summary of at the moment’s stats whenever you swipe up. It’ll routinely detect train and monitor your distance utilizing your cellphone’s GPS. Both fashions additionally monitor your sleep, however the higher-priced HR mannequin provides a full breakdown of your Sleep Stages because of its heart-rate monitor.
Like the Alta it replaces, the Inspire HR is remarkably gentle and comfy, but it surely’s additionally been given a refined, up to date aesthetic. Bands, which use the usual pin system to snap on and off, are extra versatile than the Alta, so small wrists will get a greater match. And as accomplished beforehand, Fitbit will likely be promoting an array of replacements in all types of kinds, together with fancy Milanese and double leather-based loops to imitate way more costly watches.
Kids get in on the motion, too
Rounding out the brand new lineup is a brand new Ace 2 band for youths. It has a youthful minimal age (six as an alternative of eight) and a way more whimsical design that includes a kid-proof bumper and brighter colours. There are additionally new animated faces that encourage children to maintain shifting, together with an lovely flower and monster that develop all through the day because the Ace counts your steps. Sadly, the brand new faces can’t be put in on the unique Ace, however the brand new model is much extra inexpensive at $70 as an alternative of $100, so dad and mom gained’t break the financial institution to get one.
FitbitThe Fitbit Ace 2 has a enjoyable kid-centric design and animated watch faces.
When your little one outgrows the decidedly juvenile aesthetic, they gained’t want to purchase a brand new tracker. Inside the Ace 2’s bumper is a Fitbit Inspire, which may be popped out and connected to any of the Inspire bands Fitbit sells for a extra grownup look. If a child is uninterested in flowers and rocket ships as soon as they flip 13, they’ll be capable of change out of child view within the Fitbit app and swap it with any of the common Inspire faces.
A brand new look, new costs
Speaking of the Fitbit app, it’s additionally getting a brand new look to match the easier aesthetic of its bands. Tabs will likely be whittled down from 5 to simply three, with Discover, Today, and Community remaining. Stats will likely be tracked and picked up like earlier than, however the interface is getting an overhaul to make issues simpler to see at a look and keep on high off your well being targets.
The new units are all a part of the push to get extra folks “On Fitbit.” Apple’s title was by no means uttered throughout Tuesday’s presentation, but it surely’s clear that Fitbit is focusing on a extra discerning and price-conscious person than the typic Apple Watch purchaser, with engaging costs, stripped-down options, and a easy but refined model.
The Versa Lite and Inspire bands at the moment are obtainable for preorder for transport later in March, whereas the Ace 2 will hit shops by the summer time.