Fitbit continues to release generation after generation of simple fitness trackers you could slap on your wrist. Every year, the company has updated its gadgets with incremental improvements—automatic heart rate detection, slimmer bands, continuous activity tracking, and oxygen consumption monitoring, to name a few. This is why when Fitbit launched the Blaze in 2015, many viewed the angular wristband with a full color screen as the Fitbit’s first smartwatch.
Now comes the ‘Ionic’, slated for global launch this October. Priced from USD300.00, this is Fitbit’s first real smartwatch: It plays music, supports mobile payments, displays push notifications and more.
Fitbit’s latest device is a smartwatch and fitness tracker all in one angular body, made from nano-molded aluminum in an octagonal shape.
The Ionic is designed to be worn all day and night. And with four-plus days of battery life (10 hours if you’re using GPS and streaming music), this is actually possible.
The battery is layered inside the watch’s body, along with an accelerometer and antennas for GPS, Bluetooth, and NFC, which enables mobile payments. On the underside of the watch, a series of optical sensors help the gadget keep track of your heart rate.
