LAS VEGAS -- FitBit has started CES with a Blaze, a new “smart fitness watch” as it is being referred, intended for fitness, but with a focus on style and smart features. The company launched the FitBit Blaze Tuesday morning at the Manadlay Bay Convention Center.
FitBit CEO, James Park called the “intersection of digital health” the main theme of this year’s CES. Coming off of a dream year in 2015, where the company launched the largest IPO of 2015 and continues to trade above its original asking prices. The company shipped over 30 million shipped trackers in 2015.
The FitBit Blaze builds on FitBit’s previous products like the FitBit Charge HR and FitBit Surge, adding a complete watch face and a modular design to the FitBit Blaze. Bands for the fitness watch are interchangeable and the sensor can be popped out and placed into different strap settings.
For accessories, FitBit has introduced three lines of straps, a Classic line, Luxe Steel line and Luxe Leather line, to encourage users to wear FitBit Blaze throughout the day. CBS Analyst Tony Gonzalez claims the FitBit Blaze transitions seamlessly “from the weight room to the red carpet.”
Maintaining a fitness focus, FitBit has introduced the FitStar app for the Blaze, which allows users to track their fitness stats in different workout modes, such as weight lifing, yoga, bootcamp and bike. The app helps users collect real time performance stats for specifics workouts and includes automatic exercise recognition so users don’t have to remember to start the tracker as they begin to workout.
FitBit has also improve upon its PurePulse technology, which not only provides accurate heart rate tracking on a users’ wrist, it also allows users to track their truest resting heart rate while sleeping. It allows users to track their wellness from sleeping and throughtout the day. Additional the connected GPS feature on the FitBit Blaze allows users to track logistics of outdoor exercises, including pace and distance, mapping.
Adding the “smart” aspect of the FitBit Blaze, it includes many of the standard smartwatch features, including being able to send and receive calls and texts, receiving calendar updates and controlling music from the timepiece.
To allow for all-day wear in a host of different situations, the FitBit Blaze boasts a battery life of five days and nights, at a time when many competitor trackers allow for about two days of power.
The FitBit Blaze is currently available for pre order and will hit markets in March, selling for $199.95 at Amazon, Best Buy, Brookstone, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Macy’s, Sports Authority, Target, and Verizon.
