The previously rumored Fitbit Charge and Charge HR smart bands, as well as the Fitbit Surge “superwatch” have all been officially announced.
Fitbit Charge = fancier version of the recalled Fitbit ForceThe first of the pack, Fitbit Charge, is described as a “high-performance wristband” that delivers all-day activity tracking, real-time fitness stats and Caller ID right on the wrist for people who want to step up their everyday activities and improve their overall health.
The water-resistant device can track steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned and floors climbed, providing real-time stats on its bright OLED screen. In addition, the Charge will also (automatically) keep up with one’s sleep patterns, and even serve as a silent, vibrating alarm clock. It has a battery life of up to 7 days.
Fitbit Charge + heart rate monitor = Fitbit Charge HRThe Charge HR builds on top of that, adding heart rate monitoring to the mix. Relying on Fitbit’s PurePulse technology, this band is able to deliver accurate calorie burn for more activities, including walking, running, biking, lifting weights, spinning, skiing, yoga, Pilates and more. Plus, users are able to rely on the heart rate readings to maximize training with fat burning, cardio and peak heart rate zones; as well as to maintain workout intensity by reaching their target heart rate. That extra sensor comes has an impact on the battery life, which on the Charge HR is limited to 5 days.
Finally, there’s the Fitbit Surge, which the company refuses to call a smart watch. Rather, they want us to call it “Super Watch” that is “designed for peak performance.”
The Surge’s 8-sensor technology combines the power of all-day fitness tracking with GPS, heart rate tracking and smartwatch functionality.
Fitbit Charge HR + GPS + bigger touchscreen = Fitbit SurgeAll of the Charge HR features come built-in and then some. The GPS helps the software deliver stats on pace, distance, elevation, split times, route history and workout summaries for smarter training; and there’s also the ability to record multi-sport activities like running, cross-training and strength workouts.
Fitbit’s watch boasts a backlit LCD touchscreen with customizable watch faces, making it easy to navigate through real-time stats, workout apps, alarms and select notifications (like incoming texts and calls) that will be beamed from smartphone to one’s wrist. One a single charge, it will last for up to 5 days.
“With the addition of these new products, Fitbit offers the widest variety of trackers-at affordable prices across all mobile platforms-ensuring that everyone can find the right fit for their lifestyle and their goals,” said James Park, CEO and Co-Founder of Fitbit.
The Fitbit Charge is available now in black and slate for $129.95 on Fitbit.com and in leading retailers across the U.S. In the near future, it will also be available in blue and burgundy.
As for the Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge, they will be “available broadly in early 2015.” The Charge HR — available in black, plum, blue and tangerine — will sell for $149.95; while the Fitbit Surge — in black, blue and tangerine — will go for $249.95.