FitBit unveils next-generation activity trackers and a $250 fitness superwatch

FitBit family (Charge, Charge HR and Surge)

After recalling its rash-inducing Force wristband back in February, FitBit on Monday launched a new family of activity trackers, the FitBit Charge and Charge HR, while making its first foray into the smart watch space with the FitBit Surge fitness accessory.

The water-resistant Fitbit Charge, billed as “the Force reinvented”, is an improved version of the activity tracker with an OLED screen and a seven-day battery. The Fitbit Charge HR is an improved version of the Charge wristband with FitBit’s PurePulse heart rate sensors and a five-day battery.

As for the Fitbit Surge, this $250 fitness watch packs in a total of eight sensors for more detailed logging of activities such as running and working out. Jump past the fold for more details.

FitBit Surge

”Your fitness superwatch,“ the Surge has built-in GPS to measure distance without the need to tether to a smartphone or a tablet. Taking data from as many as eight sensors — a tri-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, ambient light sensor, GPS and heart rate — the Surge enables continuous heart rate and all-day activity tracking and sleep monitoring.

And because the Surge files as a smartwatch, it lets you stay connected with text and call notifications (requires a smartphone connection), music control and more.

Priced at $249, the Surge is due in early-2015.

FitBit Surge highlights:

  • Built-in GPS delivers stats like pace, distance, elevation, split times, route history and workout summaries for smarter training
  • Records multi-sport activities like running, cross-training and strength workouts; see comprehensive summaries with tailored metrics, workout intensity and calories burned
  • Smartwatch features including Caller ID, text alerts and mobile music control let users train smarter and stay focused right from the wrist
  • Eight sensors—3-axis accelerometers, gyroscope, compass, ambient light sensor, GPS and heart rate—working harmoniously to give users the most advanced tracking in the thinnest, lightest design on the market
  • Backlit LCD touch screen display with customizable watch faces, makes it easy to navigate through real-time stats, workout apps, sleep and alarms
  • Up to 7 days of battery life – Surge is specially designed with battery efficient technology, so you can track a work week or a marathon on just one charge

FitBit Charge

Outfitted with a battery that lasts seven days and featuring a revamped design, the FitBit Charge is a comprehensive activity tracker that will log your runs and measure calories burned, floors climbed, distance travelled and steps taken. The accessory has a power-efficient OLED screen and, unlike the original Force, it also monitors your sleep and features a Caller ID function.

The Charge is available now in exchange for $130.

  • FitBit Charge highlights:
    Accurate tracking of steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned and floors climbed
  • A bright, OLED display showing time of day and real-time stats
  • 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
  • A high-quality, water-resistant, comfortable new textured wristband design with an improved clasp
  • Up to 7 days of battery life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVdsBo1GDN4

FitBit Charge HR

The Charge HR, an improved version of the Charge, contains FitBit’s PurePulse heart rate sensors to provide all-day tracking of your heart rates and various physical activities. It also monitors your sleep and features the Caller ID function.

The Charge HR is priced at $250 and scheduled to arrive in early-2015.

FitBit Charge HR highlights:

  • All the great benefits of Charge plus:
  • Continuous 24/7 heart rate right on the wrist to get more accurate all-day calorie burn, reach target workout intensity and maximize training
  • All-day insights into overall heart health including resting heart rate and heart rate trends, alongside stats like steps, distance, floors climbed, calories and active minutes
  • Up to 5 days of battery life – Charge HR is specially designed with battery efficient technology, so you can spend more time tracking and less time charging

Finally, FitBit’s iOS app has received an update today with several new features, including Fitbit Challenges, better calorie burn tracking and analysis and the ability to request the item be added to the database when a scanned barcode isn’t found.

The company said its mobile app will receive another update to include heart-rate measurements.

The San Francisco, California headquartered privately held startup is finding itself increasingly at odds with Apple. After announcing that it won’t be supporting Apple’s HealthKit platform for the time being as it aims to focus on its own platform, the iPhone maker is now said to be considering pulling Fitbit devices from its store shelves.

Anyway, how do you like these new FitBit trackers?

[FitBit Blog]