But overall the Blaze looks less sophisticated than some of its connected watch competitors.
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The watch, unveiled ahead of CES (starts tomorrow), will ship in March, the same month Apple reportedly plans to unveil a second-gen Watch. This is a feature that’s already available on rival devices, such as Microsoft Band, but given the fact that Blaze has its own proprietary operating system, you can not install third-party apps. The Blaze, available in May for $199.99, is aimed at the fitness market. Each workout is free and can be accessed at any time with no app or smartphone required, offering a fast, effective workout you can do anywhere.
Last year Fitbit introduced three new wrist wearables – the Charge, the Charge HR and the Surge – so it’s possible that Fitbit may still have more up (under) its sleeve for 2016. You can also plan and review routes so speed and elevation can be seen in detail. Time will tell whether this is Fitbit knowing or underestimating the desires of its customer base. Instead, Fitbit remains focused on creating a wearable that nudges you to move more, engage in challenges with friends and not get too distracted by notifications while you’re working out.
PurePulse is one particular feature that can actually bring in some buyers, as it greatly improves accuracy of the heart rate monitor. Pre-installed workouts have been included.
‘As a former professional athlete, nothing gets me more motivated than a great coach, ‘ said Tony Gonzalez, football legend and FitStar Trainer.
Fitbit is touting the sleep tracking as a core component of the watch’s fitness features. You can also use the Blaze to control music playback. While it’s not the company’s first smartwatch – that would be the Fitbit Surge, which is President Barack Obama’s favorite – it is certainly its first that places an emphasis on fashion while maintaining the tracking technology Fitbit has developed over the past several years.
Stay connected with smart notifications you need. They also suggest that this watch can sync and connect with “more than 200 Android, iOS, and Windows mobile devices” right out of the box.
Fitbit Blaze features a battery that can last for up to 5 days, partially thank to the lack of Global Positioning System, and comes by default with classic elastomer bands in black, blue, and plum that are available separately for $29.95 (25 EUR).
The Blaze’s larger color display and different types of bands make it Fitbit’s most wearable accessory.
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The screen is a full-color display, with a soft (but not dull) appearance.
