Fitbit announced today, the launch of its new Ionic smartwatch, which gives users such features as on-device dynamic workouts, improved heart rate tracking and water resistance up to 50 meters.
Other features include contactless payments, on-board music, smart notifications, and a variety of popular apps and clock faces available from Fitbit’s App Gallery.
In addition, the Ionic also has all of the Fitbit core features such as 4 plus day battery life, automatic activity and sleep tracking, and cross-platform compatibility.
“Ten years ago, Fitbit pioneered the wearables category with the introduction of its first health and fitness tracker. Since then, we have become the leading global wearables brand, setting the pace of innovation in the category and establishing the largest social fitness network that helps millions of people around the world be healthier,” said James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit. “With Ionic, we will deliver what consumers have not yet seen in a smartwatch – a health and fitness first platform that combines the power of personalization and deeper insights with our most advanced technology to date, unlocking opportunities for unprecedented health tracking capabilities in the future.”
Everything You Need, All in One Device
According to Fitbit, the Ionic “offers beginners to experienced athletes, personal, actionable guidance to motivate you to reach your goals – all while keeping you connected with apps and notifications, no matter what smartphone you have.”
Ionic Features
Personal trainer with Fitbit Coach: Access dynamic, on-device workouts that adapt based on feedback users provide on your wrist, or listen to expert-designed running and walking Audio Coaching sessions (available 2018) to increase endurance, speed and form on their schedule.
Running companion: Automatically track the user’s run with the new Run Detect feature that kicks in GPS tracking – just step out the door and go; see real-time pace and distance; auto-pause to grab some water or take a breather and automatically resume when you start running.
New swim exercise mode: With water resistance up to 50 meters and industry-leading lap counting, use Ionic in the pool and see users’ real-time laps, exercise duration and calories burned for pool swims.
Industry-leading GPS: The unique design and integrated antenna inside Ionic provide a stronger connection to GPS and GLONASS satellites, delivering industry-leading GPS performance. Leave your phone behind and see pace and distance right on your wrist, as well as record elevation climbed, split times, and a map of your walk, run or ride in the Fitbit app.
Improved heart rate technology: Ionic has enhanced PurePulse heart rate tracking with greater accuracy during exercises like cycling, intervals and running; better measure calorie burn, see real-time heart rate zones to optimize intensity, and track resting heart rate 24/7.
New sensor technology: The introduction of a relative SpO2 sensor for estimating blood oxygen levels opens the potential for tracking important new indicators about your health, such as sleep apnea.
Motivation through music: Leave your phone at home and find the motivation to jumpstart your workout by storing and playing more than 300 songs on device (2.5 GB of storage), or downloading and listening to your favorite Pandora stations. Connect Ionic to the new Fitbit Flyer wireless headphones, or any Bluetooth device of your choosing.
Make payments using Fitbit Pay: Leave your wallet and phone at home and effortlessly pay for items right from your device, wherever contactless payments are accepted. Over the coming months you will be able to add eligible American Express cards, as well as Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards from top issuing banks in over 10 markets across the globe, including ANZ, Banco Santander, Bank of America, Capital One, HSBC, KBC Bank Ireland, OCBC Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, UOB and US Bank with more countries and banks planned soon.
Smart notifications you need most: With extended smartphone notifications, receive call, text and calendar alerts, as well as notifications from apps on your smartphone like Facebook, Gmail, Instagram, Slack, Snapchat and more.
Multi-day battery life: With 4+ day battery life on a single charge (10 hours with GPS or playing music), Ionic will outlast any activity you do during the day and still track your sleep all night.
In addition to these new features, Ionic has everything user have come to like about Fitbit, such as the ability to automatically track your steps, calories, floors climbed and sleep stages, see your cardio fitness level (estimated VO2 Max), maintain moments of calm and more.
“Whether I’m trying to stay in shape during the off-season or train for the playoffs, tracking my activity and health on and off the court is crucial to my success,” said Harrison Barnes, Fitbit Ambassador, Olympic gold medalist and star forward for the Dallas Mavericks. “With Ionic, I can see my heart rate zones in real-time so I can gauge how hard I’m pushing myself during a workout, and track my sleep each night to make sure I’m rested and recovered so I’m at my best on the court the next day.”
Make Ionic your own
Ionic runs on Fitbit OS, the company’s new operating system for smartwatches that will be regularly updated to add new user experiences. This includes the launch of the Fitbit App Gallery, where you can select the apps and clock faces that appeal to you so you’re always armed with the information you want most, in a way that reflects your own personal needs and style.
The App Gallery offers a range of health and fitness apps from Fitbit like Exercise, Fitbit Coach, Relax, Timer and more, as well as popular apps that are designed to make life easier and more convenient for users on the go. Each app is designed specifically for Ionic so users don’t have to download an accompanying mobile app or have your smartphone nearby.
Leading partner apps available on Fitbit Ionic at launch include:
Developer tools and benefits
If users are interested in building for the Fitbit App Gallery, they will be able to use the SDK, including the company’s Web-based developer environment Fitbit Studio, starting in September 2017. In developing apps and clock faces for Ionic, users will have access to sensors on the device and the opportunity for their content to be available to all Ionic and future Fitbit smartwatch users. Furthermore, Fitbit has built upon its Pebble platform to provide the following developer benefits and tools:
Fitbit’s strongest and lightest GPS watch
As Fitbit’s first device designed fully in-house, the Ionic features new processes and materials that improve weight, fit, durability, breathability and daily wear, resulting in what Fitbit calls “an extremely lightweight, ergonomic design comfortable enough to wear all day and night.”
Pricing and availability of colors, styles
Fitbit Ionic is available for pre-sale today on Fitbit.com and select online retailers tomorrow for $299.95. It is available in three stylish color combinations, silver gray tracker and clasp with blue gray band, smoke gray tracker and clasp with charcoal band, or burnt orange tracker and clasp with slate blue band.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
