Fitbit unveils Charge 2, Flex 2, Fitbit Adventures and updates to Blaze
Fitbit's doing a fitness-tracker reload for the holidays.
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Fitbit, the number one fitness tracker brand, just unveiled a couple of new fitness trackers -- and some big updates to an older one.
The company, which already released the watch-like Fitbit Blaze and style-targeted Fitbit Alta earlier this year, is adding the Fitbit Charge 2 and Flex 2 trackers to its lineup.
Fitbit Charge 2 ($150, or £130/AU$250) is a replacement to the Fitbit Charge HR, currently CNET's favorite Fitbit. Its new features: replaceable stylized bands, a larger display, added reminder-to-move mode, call/text notifications and a "Relax" mode that measures breathing.
Fitbit Flex 2 ($100, or £80/AU$150) replaces the slim but display-less Flex with something even smaller. It's Fitbit's first waterproof (50-meter water resistance) tracker. Flex 2 also has new jewelry-like bangles and neck pendants, and accessory partnerships with designers like Tory Burch and Vera Wang. Little colored LED lights on the top show if you have phone notifications.
Fitbit Blaze, the watch-like fitness tracker Fitbit launched this winter, is getting updates for its software and accessories. New digital watch faces, added third-party phone notifications, reminders to move, and new band accessories are being released to keep Blaze feeling up to date with the Charge 2 and Flex 2.
Fitbit's app for Android and iOS is getting updated with a few useful features, too.
Cardio Fitness now has a score you can check up on.
Cardio Health is Fitbit's attempt to demystify heart fitness. It adds an estimate of overall heart health to attempt to guide users to keep working out, calculated using heart rate and connected phone GPS during runs.
Adventures: steps get mapped onto Yosemite trails.
A new "Adventures" mode has also been added: it's a gamified single-user challenge where daily steps are layered onto real-life trail maps from Yosemite National Park. You can see your virtual progress as you walk. A set of New York Marathon-themed challenge maps will arrive later this fall.
The Fitbit announcements come just as we're about to enter the all-important holiday retail season, where there are bound to be tons of new fitness wearables. Fitbit is getting the jump on the many expected announcements during this week's IFA trade show in Berlin, and September's rumored announcement of the Apple Watch 2.