Fitbit challenging Apple Watch with $160 Versa Lite smartwatch, new Inspire & Ace 2 fitnes...
Fitbit on Wednesday launched a handful of new wearables to challenge the Apple Watch, led by the Versa Lite, a less expensive version of its Versa smartwatch.
The Versa Lite.
The Versa Lite retains the same size and dimensions of its sibling, but makes several sacrifices, most notably jettisoning music playback. It also loses Wi-Fi, NFC, and tracking of floor climbs and swim laps, though it's still waterproof to a depth of 50 meters (164 feet).
The one benefit is price: the Versa Lite is $159.95, $40 less than the regular Versa.
Also new are the Inspire and Inspire HR, replacing the Alta line as well as the Zip and Flex 2. Both Inspire models have up to 5 days of battery life, and features like sleep tracking, OLED touchscreens, and 50-meter waterproofing. Some features are reserved for the Inspire HR, namely heartrate tracking, guided breathing, goal-based exercise modes, and detailed sleep stages.
The Inspire HR.
The Inspire is $69.95, and the Inspire HR $99.95.
For kids Fitbit is preparing the Ace 2, which is based on the Inspire and costs the same, making it cheaper than the original Ace. Another perk is that when they mature, kids can simply update the Ace 2's software to access "adult" features. The product should ship sometime this summer.
Fitbit was once a dominant player in the wearables space, but has had to reposition itself since the Apple Watch debuted in 2015. It now has two smartwatch lines -- the Versa and Ionic -- which, along with products from Samsung and Garmin, have eaten into Apple's marketshare. The Watch still holds a commanding lead at an estimated 50.7 percent.
The Versa Lite.
The Versa Lite retains the same size and dimensions of its sibling, but makes several sacrifices, most notably jettisoning music playback. It also loses Wi-Fi, NFC, and tracking of floor climbs and swim laps, though it's still waterproof to a depth of 50 meters (164 feet).
The one benefit is price: the Versa Lite is $159.95, $40 less than the regular Versa.
Also new are the Inspire and Inspire HR, replacing the Alta line as well as the Zip and Flex 2. Both Inspire models have up to 5 days of battery life, and features like sleep tracking, OLED touchscreens, and 50-meter waterproofing. Some features are reserved for the Inspire HR, namely heartrate tracking, guided breathing, goal-based exercise modes, and detailed sleep stages.
The Inspire HR.
The Inspire is $69.95, and the Inspire HR $99.95.
For kids Fitbit is preparing the Ace 2, which is based on the Inspire and costs the same, making it cheaper than the original Ace. Another perk is that when they mature, kids can simply update the Ace 2's software to access "adult" features. The product should ship sometime this summer.
Fitbit was once a dominant player in the wearables space, but has had to reposition itself since the Apple Watch debuted in 2015. It now has two smartwatch lines -- the Versa and Ionic -- which, along with products from Samsung and Garmin, have eaten into Apple's marketshare. The Watch still holds a commanding lead at an estimated 50.7 percent.
Comments
Someone would be crazy to buy from a dead-man-walking company.
Anyway, it seems like they still have a decent following. I don’t really follow Fitbit as a company so I have no idea how they’re doing financially.
I'm sure the Apple Watch is really great for some people. For people like me, it's overkill.
FitBit refused to integrate with HealthKit, refusing to share your own data. For this reason alone I never invested in their ecosystem. Unfortunately for them the AW does it all and more, at the same price point of this new FB watch. I fail to see the value.
Apple Watch is another one of those things that becomes indispensable as soon as you have it. Smart phones are a luxury that are evolving into a necessity, but a smart watch is pure, unnecessary luxury & convenience. And yet Apple has been very successful at convincing us to shell out anywhere from $300 to $800 for one.
Instead, she wants a slim, sleek FitBit that tracks her steps -- just like all her friends have.
The Apple Watch is a truly exceptional and great product on par with anything Apple has ever made. But, it can't compete with the slim, sleek looks of the FitBit.
Apple Watch is a superb device. It does not, however, meet the needs or desires of absolutely everyone on the planet, and there's not a damned thing wrong with that state of affairs.
No thanks.
I have the XS Max. Get the right case and it won't flop around or be too heavy. If a 7 ounce phone is too heavy for your arm, you probably need more weight time than road time.
As far as these new devices, I don't like that they cut out the altimeter from the Versas. Counting stairs is essential part of workouts/activity, to me. I'm also disappointed they don't have longer battery with the features they cut out, only lower price. Finally, no black Versa Lite?
History repeats.
The first company to copy Apple beats all others.
Mac - Windows
iPod - Zune was too late and slightly original so Apple got 70% market share
iPhone - Android
iPad - Android
Watch - Fitbit
Next:
Unless someone makes a bigger ripoff it seems GalaxyPods may be the knockoff of AirPods but we haven't gotten that close unless you count SoundMates which is indeed selling a lot of AirPod knockoffs.