SUBSCRIBE

Tag

Activity Tracker

Belty Smart Belt Fashion Tech Self Fitting Adjusting French Emiota
Fashion, Wearable Technology

Smart Belt Belty Returns to CES Completely Redesigned

January 6, 2016

Belty Smart Belt Fashion Tech Self Fitting Adjusting French Emiota

At last year’s CES, Belty was one of the surprise hits. In case you don’t remember, simply put on the “smart belt” and tap the buckle when it is comfortably fitted. Belty will then track your movement throughout the day, vibrate when it is time to move, and (best of all) automatically adjust its tightness to maintain a constant fit as you sit, walk, and eat (too much). The model on display last year was an early prototype and while the company behind the high-tech fashion accessory, Emiota, had hoped to ship it by the Holidays, they instead opted to completely redesign Belty. The new version looks much less techie and more like a traditional belt. Belty is now constructed from premium French leather and significant weight has been shed from the buckle by utilizing more plastic parts. Finally, Belty’s vibration system has been completely overhauled. Besides alerting you when it is time to move around, the belt also can alert you to drink water, to de-stress with a breathing exercise, assist you in taking a 5 minute power nap, or even help you settle into efficient, rhythmic walking pace. Belty is currently available for preorder but won’t ship until December 15th. You can purchase the buckle and one strap (in either brown or black) for $395 or both straps for $495.  

Continue reading
by Doug Parker
Leave a comment
Misfit Ray Fitness Activity Tracker New Design Watch Necklace
Wearable Technology

The Misfit Ray Is The Company’s First Radically New Wearable

January 5, 2016

Misfit Ray Fitness Activity Tracker New Design Watch Necklace

Notice anything different about the new Misfit Ray – that’s right, it’s not round. The Misfit Ray represents a major move beyond the disc-like design of the Shine and Flash. Shaped like a AAA battery, only shorter and slightly wider, the new wearable is a radicle redesign from a company that thus far hasn’t veered from its original design. The new shape means new ways of wearing the device, which also means new accessories. Misfit envisions wearing the Ray on your wrist with either a leather, woven fabric, or rubber band. The Ray can also be worn around your neck, attached on one end (like a pendant) to either a metal or woven fabric necklace. Unfortunately, if you were expecting anything else new from the device you will be disappointed. But that isn’t all bad news; Misfits have a fantastic 6 month battery life that is continued in the new activity tracker. Ray also borrows some of the Shine 2’s best new features including vibrating notifications utilizing a multicolor LED light and a capacitive touch surface to do things such as take a photo or control your music. The Ray ships this Spring and is currently available for preorder for $99.99. The price also includes a TPU rubber wristband. For $119.99 you can preorder the Ray with a leather band.

Continue reading
by Doug Parker
Leave a comment
Fitbit Blaze Color Touch Screen Fitness Activity Tracker Smartwatch
Watches

Fitbit Announces Blaze Touchscreen Fitness Wearable

January 5, 2016

Fitbit Blaze Color Touch Screen Fitness Activity Tracker Smartwatch

It is no secret that Fitbit had a huge Holiday season this year. Following the Christmas holiday, the free Fitbit app jumped into the top 15 of the App Store, where it remains almost 2 weeks later. This is a pretty solid predictor of just how many Fitbits were gifted. While the publicly traded company seems to be maintaining its popularity, their devices are starting to feel a bit dated. Their most connected device (the Surge) still has a monochrome display and is clearly marketed (and priced) for the running enthusiast. The company’s other offerings are a huge step down in connectivity, offering, at best, a tiny, single line, text display.  To kick off the new year, Fitbit has upped the ante and is introducing the new Fitbit Blaze. The Blaze is a color touchscreen device designed for fitness and everyday use. It offers several watch faces, rich notifications, music controls, a heart rate monitor, activity tracking, and auto sleep and workout tracking. The device also is able to utilize your phone’s GPS to track your runs and offers guided workouts via the company’s FitStar service. Blaze is basically a small square module that can be popped out and moved between bands; it ships with a rubber sports band but you can purchase additional straps including leather and link metal ones. The $199.95 device is compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows Phone and has a 5 day battery life. You can preorder the Blaze now and it is expected to hit retail shelves in March.  

Continue reading
by Doug Parker
Leave a comment
UNICEF Kid Power Wearable Fitness Tracker Star Wars
Wearable Technology

Kid Power Fitness Tracker Helps Feed Malnourished Children

December 1, 2015

UNICEF Kid Power Wearable Fitness Tracker Star Wars

UNICEF has released a kids fitness tracker that converts a child’s activity into meals for malnourished children – making those origami-esque Halloween collection boxes seem positively old school. The idea is simple but fantastic as it addresses an epidemic of poor physical health in this country and helps save the lives of starving children around the world. UNICEF’s Kid Power wearable works by encouraging your little one to earn points by completing missions and staying active. One point is equivalent to 2,400 steps which means that, based on the National Institutes Of Health’s recommended amount of activity, a kid should earn 5 points a day. Points gained through daily activity equal one Therapeutic Food packet (RUTF) for every 25 points and points gained through a mission equal one RUTF packet for every 10 points.  

Continue reading
by Doug Parker
Leave a comment
Misfit Flash BaubleBar Target Helena Necklace Bracelet
Wearable Technology

The Misfit Flash Gets Bedazzled By BaubleBar For The Holidays

November 25, 2015

The Misfit Flash Gets Bedazzled By BaubleBar For The Holidays Target Helena Necklace Bracelet

Misfit’s tiny, plastic Flash fitness tracker became a very compelling option this year thanks to a price drop and the ability to control connected devices. The only problem…no style. The Flash is really plain, lacking the elegance and polish of its more expensive sibling, the Misfit Shine (not to mention the Swarovski Shine). Headed into the holidays, Misfit has decided to give its budget friendly activity tracker a budget friendly makeover. Through a partnership with BaubleBar (a large retailer of costume fashion jewelry), Misfit is releasing the Helena Necklace and Bracelet. Both the necklace and bracelet feature an identical gold / diamond-ish locket to hold the Flash. While the locket isn’t understated, it isn’t bad looking (in the photos at least); it has a vintage / antique store vibe. Depending on whether you choose the necklace or bracelet, it comes with a 32 inch or 6 inch chain accordingly. The Helena Necklace and Bracelet will go on sale November 29th, exclusively at Target for $70. Oh, did we mention that price also includes the Misfit Flash tracker (in hot pink, of course) and a plastic, waterproof wristband and clip?! Not bad.

Target seems to be the go-to source for bedazzled fitness trackers. Our guess would be that it has something to do with a relatively high female customer base. Besides being the exclusive retailer of the BaubleBar version of the Misfit Flash, they also have exclusive rights to the jewelry-like metal versions of the VivoFit. While the execution isn’t always great, I think dressing up these devices makes them seem softer, less techie, and like they fit better into one’s life. We just wish they would take the approach of Bellabeat’s Leaf and design a device from the ground up for a non-tech-oriented audience.

 

Continue reading
by Doug Parker
Leave a comment
Withings Activité Activite Steel smartwatch fitness tracker
Watches

Withings Adds Activité Steel Watch To Fitness Tracker Lineup

November 17, 2015

Withings Activité Activite Steel smartwatch fitness tracker

Last year, connected device maker Withings was one of the first companies to introduce a traditional looking watch with integrated activity tracking. The Swiss-made Activité (now called Activité Saphir) tracked movement, sleep patterns, and could even sense if you were swimming. A small inset dial would display your progress towards your movement goals and you could access deeper data through your smartphone. Unfortunately the price of the original Activité was as stunning as its looks – $450. Realizing that not everyone was looking to spend that type of money on a fitness tracking watch, Withings explored using different material to create a more accessible wearable device.

Earlier this year the company introduced the more budget friendly Activité Pop. The brightly colored, PVD coated device was at feature parity with its more expensive sibling but was constructed of cheaper materials and wasn’t billed as being “Swiss made.” Since brightly colors watches aren’t for everyone though, Withings has now added the stainless Activité Steel to their watch lineup.

The new device is identical to the (somewhat) budget friendly Activité Pop, except Withings has traded out the bright colors for polished metal an an understated black watch face. The $170 Activité Steel features a 8 month battery life, a face constructed from mineral glass, and a TPSiV Thermoplastic Elastomer (silicon) band. It is compatible with iOS and Android and starts shipping this week.

Continue reading
by Doug Parker
Leave a comment
Garmin Vivosmart HR VivosmartHR Vivofit
Wearable Technology

Garmin Debuts Completely Redesigned Vivosmart HR Fitness Tracker

October 27, 2015

Garmin Vivosmart HR VivosmartHR Vivofit

Garmin’s Vivofit and Vivofit 2 have proven to be big hits for the company. While the list of features isn’t steep, the wearable is a very capable fitness tracker with a staggering 1 year battery life and stylish interchangeable bands. But a bare bones activity tracker isn’t for everyone; for those looking for a step up (or a new device after their non-replaceable Vivofit battery dies), Garmin has introduced the completely redesigned Vivosmart HR. Garmin has completely dumped the design of the original Vivosmart, favoring a new look based on the Vivofit 2. As the Vivosmart HR name gives away, the biggest feature of the new mid-tier activity tracker is the addition of an optical heart rate sensor. Based off of the company’s ‘Elevate’ technology used in their high end running watches, the heart rate sensor provides 24/7 monitoring. The company has improved the fitness tracking capability of band, adding a barometer to track steps climbed and the ability to atomically track how many minutes a week of intense activity you partake in. Garmin has also improved upon the “connected” features of the previous Vivosmart. The new device still vibrates and displays notifications but has added the ability to communicate back to your phone. This means you can now use the Vivosmart HR to control music playback or to help you find your misplaced phone. The tiny monochrome touch screen of the original Vivosmart has been also upgraded to a more roomy 1in x .42in screen, similar in size to the Vivofit 2. About the only downside when comparing the Vivosmart HR to the original band is that the HR version only has a 5 day battery life versus the original’s 7 day. Still, that is excellent for a connected device with an optical heart rate sensor. The Vivosmart HR will launch in early November for a list price of $149.99.

I think the new Vivosmart HR will likely be a home run Garmin. The device strikes the sweet-spot of balancing price versus features. The small, simple screen is more than sufficient and allows the activity tracker to have a 5 day battery life (which is among the best). There is an audience of people who are not ready for a full-on smartwatch and devices such as the Vivosmart HR provide a lot of the features of low end smartwatch without the complication. Versus some of its competitors, such as the Fitbit Charge HR, the Vivosmart HR is a much more capable and user friendly device. With all of the Vivofits sold during the Holidays last year needing to be replaced soon, Vivosmart HR could be positioned well to make it onto people’s gift lists..provided they don’t make the jump to a smartwatch.

 

Continue reading
by Doug Parker
Leave a comment