If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you own a Fitbit or know someone who does — they’re pretty popular. Well, the Fitbit Blaze is something new from the company as it’s their first true attempt at a smartwatch. While not everyone was pleased with the announcement (or the new lawsuit), we are going to tell you what to expect from the new wearable.
Fitbit is known for their fitness accessories, but like many other companies, the occasionally dip their toes into other waters. We expected to see some new gear from the Fitbit at CES, and they didn’t disappoint the techies with the Fitbit Blaze. Investors weren’t as pleased with the news though as shares of the company dropped significantly after the announcement. Stocks aside, it is an interesting decision even if it’s a fitness-oriented smartwatch.
In the design department, the Fitbit Blaze is a little rough around its large edges compared to smartwatches like the Huawei Watch or Gear S2. It’s certainly not round, but it has a lot of features and there looks to be a variety of bands to choose from as well. We don’t have the specifications, but it has a color display and will work like most other smartwatches with its basic functions including watch faces, texts, and music control.
Fitness is the still going to be the selling point for the Fitbit Blaze, so it will be able to help you stay in shape in a variety of ways. A PurePulse Heart Rate monitor and GPS will keep tabs on you while you’re active, and you’ll be able to fire up a FitStar workout if you need a bit of motivation. Another draw for some folks will be the battery life. While most smartwatch batteries struggle to go over 24 hours, the Fitbit Blaze is said to last 5 days away from the charger.
The Fitbit Blaze may be a tough sell for some although it could find a home with the fitness crowd if you’ve got big wrists. Pre-orders have already begun for the new wearable with a price tag of $199 while straps will set you back anywhere from $30 to $130.
What do you think about Fitbit’s new wearable?