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Fitbit Announces 'Surge' Fitness 'Super Watch', Two New Activity Trackers
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It won´t be for most iPhone owners. These are already in an eco-system and likely use apps such as Endomondo, Wahoo or Strava which all are Health integrated. What I´m personally looking for are devices that integrate into that ecosystem. Not another parallel ecosystem.
I honestly like the Fitbit surge, but the fact that it is not Health integrated is a dealbreaker for me. I will wait until there is a competing product that will be (Apple Watch is not really an option for me).
I'm not impressed with Health either. If given a choice, I never would have installed health.app, since it also requires me to install all the other apps that provide the data sources for it. That in itself would be fine, if Health provided some value-added functionality. The graphs are pretty anemic, and the advantage of holding everything in one place is minimal considering you can't get the data out in any meaningful way (no, an XML export is not the answer) Perhaps Apple is aiming to disrupt and the app will improve over time, but I'm not holding my breath.
Ironically, to see how Apple SHOULD have implemented Health one needs only look at Microsoft's HealthVault. It looks like crap, but integrates with tons of platforms while providing a standard csv import and export to get your data in and out.
Back on topic, I'm looking forward to the FitBit Surge. It fills a niche between the ubiquitous connected pedometers and the full-fledged multi-sport GPS watches, and at an acceptable price. The latest multisport from Garmin is $400+for example and it doesn't even have an onboard HR sensor. At $250, I think they'll sell a ton.
Ironically, to see how Apple SHOULD have implemented Health one needs only look at Microsoft's HealthVault. It looks like crap, but integrates with tons of platforms while providing a standard csv import and export to get your data in and out.
Back on topic, I'm looking forward to the FitBit Surge. It fills a niche between the ubiquitous connected pedometers and the full-fledged multi-sport GPS watches, and at an acceptable price. The latest multisport from Garmin is $400+for example and it doesn't even have an onboard HR sensor. At $250, I think they'll sell a ton.
I agree, especially if they have a one year refresh cycle.
May be Apple's "Zune". It's actually pretty decent but it just won't be able to survive.
Time will tell.
His comment is just the opposite of silly. It's a fail because they got a lot of visibility from being in the Apple store and their online store. Supporting health kit doesn't keep them from doing their own app, or supporting competing devices. Their move does remove them from Apple promotions and commercials as well as their lead presence in the Apple circle. I wonder how many devices they would have been selling if they had never been pushed forward by Apple?
I was expecting Apple to try and at least change the ideas of the smartwatch industry. Something unique or different to differentiate themselves.
From what I can see, its just a flashy smartwatch. it's square, it's not very "functional jewelry", which is the primary motivator behind most watch wearers.
it isn't something i would be comfortable wearing playing sport, which kind of makes the health functionality moot.
overall, i see nothing from the iWatch that Android Wear devices aren't providing, and Android Wear is a bit of a dud IMHO as well.
Get an iPod shuffle. It's crazy cheap and is designed exactly for those times when you really do just want to have music / podcasts / audiobooks wth you. If you buy it used you can even get one for like 19 bucks.
You are just as right as the Einsteins were about the mac, the iPod, the iPhone, the iPad, heck even iTunes was to never get off the ground. I guess people feel if they keep saying it about any and everything Apple does, they may actually get one right. The smart money would be to not be against a company that consistently redefines markets that no one could succeed in before.
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The fact that the Surge has GPS is an automatic win over the Apple watch for me. That means I can go running without having to lug around my iphone too -- which is actually a dealbreaker because I don't like running with too many peripherals. I don't know why apple couldn't fit gps functionality into the Apple watch but I guess they have to save something for version 2.
Your comment doesn't really address the issue. I have 4 Health apps on my phone that I've had for years. They all have been updated to integrate with health kit because it makes sense and gives them access to more depth in the OS and allows their data to be integrated with other devices and apps for a secure and more holistic health view.
The only reason to not support it is if they feel threatened.
Exactly what I need for fitness
THIS is a fitness watch, not Apple Watch. I'm getting one that works, thank you.
THIS is a fitness watch, not Apple Watch. I'm getting one that works, thank you.
Because Fitbit's app and ecosystem blow Healthkit away currently. I'm more interested in the Charge than the Apple watch A. $100 cheaper B. 5 day Battery C. Can work on any OS.
I was really hoping that Fitbit would just make a Pebble app. But the Surge is actually a lot sexier looking than the Pebble. I'd pick one up if I can find a way to knock it down to under $200.
I have the Force and love it. Had the Flex before that, but I got the Force because it tells time.
One complaint - they really should look for a different way of clasping the band. It is really easy to catch it on something and have it come loose. Fortunately I've noticed almost every time it has happened, and the times that I didn't notice, it ended up falling into my car or purse, so it wasn't lost forever. But the clasp definitely is a minus for me.
I'd be getting the new one if it wasn't for the Apple Watch coming out. I'm already getting caller notifications on my Force, and that's pretty cool - not texts though.
One complaint - they really should look for a different way of clasping the band. It is really easy to catch it on something and have it come loose. Fortunately I've noticed almost every time it has happened, and the times that I didn't notice, it ended up falling into my car or purse, so it wasn't lost forever. But the clasp definitely is a minus for me.
I'd be getting the new one if it wasn't for the Apple Watch coming out. I'm already getting caller notifications on my Force, and that's pretty cool - not texts though.
Zune means a decent product that is marginalised by a bigger incumbent already at launch. I don't see that bigger incumbent for the Apple Watch. That is not to say that your prediction that Apple Watch will not be hit is wrong, just that the Zune is not best example to compare it against.
yes, threatened that their business model will be over taken by Apple. seems logical to me that FITBit should want to keep the data they collect in their ecosystem, which is pretty darn good one.
But where's the harm in allowing Healthkit integration?
I actually think Fitbit is missing a big opportunity here. For people who want to take advantage of the Health app (having data from multiple sources available in one app), but do not want to spend the money for an Apple Watch, Fitbit could be the tracker of choice for many.
If you don't already have the devices, yes, you do have to buy extra. Many cyclists already do have ANT+ speed sensors so thats a bonus.
Its about time health bands have integrated HR monitors. They can be used to monitor sleep too more accurately.
If you are in to cycling - GPS speed reporting can be inaccurate if there are high objects around...
No lock-in. If you are using the FitBit app, you are more likely to buy a new FitBit device than a competing one. It's same with every ecosystem.
I couldn't get any FitBit data to push through to Health via MFP.
Because of the lack of integration, I switched to Misfit.
GPS...duh. That's the killer feature for a sports watch.
Pedometers can't track distance for **** over GPS. I run the same 5k route all the time and some days my pedometer says I went 1.5 miles other times it says I went 4.5 miles. Useless. And no map of my runs.
AppleWatch without GPS is not a sports watch. It's just a watch with changing display faces and vibrating notifications.
Pedometers can't track distance for **** over GPS. I run the same 5k route all the time and some days my pedometer says I went 1.5 miles other times it says I went 4.5 miles. Useless. And no map of my runs.
AppleWatch without GPS is not a sports watch. It's just a watch with changing display faces and vibrating notifications.
Of course, every company that gets competition should take it seriously, so FitBit should be looking into whether Healthkit might threaten their business. If the Health app takes off, all other fitness devices and their apps might be downgraded to pure commodity sensors and data pipes. If you get all your health information from the Health app, you won't feel the need to use the FitBit app anymore (except for things like setting up a FitBit device) and FitBit won't be able to use their app as competitive advantage anymore. Healthkit is pushing them out of the data aggregation and representation market, why wouldn't they feel threatened when being pushed out of a market? Certainly, it also can expand their accessible market for sensors by making it easier for somebody who has a fitness device from another company to get devices from other companies.
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It might not be a 'complete' sport watch but we had sport watches for a long time without GPS.
Curious, what pedometer (app) did you use that had such low precision?
I don't know about a "flop" but I don't think it will be a success like the iPad, iPhone or iPod.
What's keeping me from the Apple Watch besides the long wait time and high price tag is a few 1st gen issues that shouldn't exist.
1. Waterproof... why isn't it waterproof? Should have been one of the first 10 things they figured out about this watch, how someone can swim with it.
2. Independent GPS. If you're going to shove a wifi chip in there you might as well put in GPS. I'd only want a watch that I don't have to carry my phone with.
3. Battery life. If it's not 2-3 day battery life then it's not good enough.
Granted none of these are "confirmed" but looking mostly likely the case. I hope they fix these issues in the 2nd gen, but I'm seriously considering the Fitbit Surge over the
Watch.