Canada Journal – News of the World Articles and videos to bring you the biggest Canadian news stories from across the country every day
Fitbit is looking beyond simple health tracking for 2016, at least that’s what it seems from its first device of the new year. Hosting a press conference at CES 2015, the company outed its latest wearable, and it looks like more of a smartwatch than a fitness tracker.
The Fitbit Blaze features a rectangular watch face with Gorilla Glass covering the 240 x 180 pixel display. The screen measures 31.75mm diagonally with the actual display area measuring 25.38mm x 19.035mm. It’s offered in your choice of black, blue or purple band made of elastomer (rubber) material that Fitbit says is similar to what’s used in many sports watches.
Fitbit will also sell you an optional leather or stainless steel band if rubber isn’t your thing.
Feature-wise, the Blaze is a fitness device above all else. It offers an array of fitness tracking features including FitStar (a guided personal trainer of sorts), continuous heart rate tracking, a multi-sport mode that lets the wearer record specific activities like running, biking, weights, yoga and so on and SmartTrack, a feature that automatically recognizes and records continuous movement activities.
The wearable doesn’t have its own GPS but can use a connected smartphone to deliver real-time stats like distance, pace and minute-mile split times. As a smartwatch, Blaze can field call, text and calendar notifications, allow the wearer to accept or reject calls from a connected handset and even adjust music playback.
Fitbit says Blaze is good for up to five days of use on a single charge and is compatible with more than 200 Android, iOS and Windows mobile devices.
The Fitbit Blaze is available to pre-order today priced at $199.95. A leather band will set you back an additional $99.95 while the stainless steel band goes for an extra $129.95. Look for the Blaze to arrive in March.
Agencies/Canadajournal
