New Images Reveal Fitbit's Upcoming 'Mass Appeal' Smartwatch

[Kabeyun]

No kidding. I guess if your own designers can’t come up with anything good, just copy Apple’s. Seems to be the trend these days.

Totally. And part of that trend also seems to be manufacturers copying features that they mocked before (square screen, notch, animoji, no headphone jack, etc.). Hard to think of another company that has taken more guff about decisions that eventually proved to be trendsetting and widely accepted.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Totally. And part of that trend also seems to be manufacturers copying features that they mocked before (square screen, notch, animoji, no headphone jack, etc.). Hard to think of another company that has taken more guff about decisions that eventually proved to be trendsetting and widely accepted.

It's kind of ridiculous in that sense, actually. Either make fun of it, but MEAN it, and keep making fun of it. At least then I would respect you, and you might even be right in some cases. But you look so silly when you make fun of it, then adopt it.

 

[daftpunker909]

The form factor is so familiar... I know I’ve seen a square smartwatch somewhere...

wait are you saying Apple was the first company with a square smart watch? Common, even you don't believe that...

 

[npmacuser5]

WOW that's really beautiful design.

But, but, it is not Round!

 

[DeepIn2U]

Another dead on arrival "rival" for Apple Watch. Unfortunately for Fitbit, it's no longer about the niche that its products do very well. Apple Watch addresses that and so much more.

The best thing that Fitbit had going for it was the battery life of its products. But consumers seem to care less about that now.

Most users tend to charge their phones nightly, having to charge a watch every 2-2days/3hours (on avg I get this with S2 Nike+) it doesn't seem to affect sales: That and charging stand accessories helps.

Mostly it's the benefit that Apple users of the Watch get that outweight battery life concerns, yet we still care about increasing battery life.

There's still the entire Android market that Apple can't reach with the Watch. If it's priced low enough it'll sell.

I'm VERY surprised FitBit did not make an Android Wear based watch into this new design to cater to this market. Then again considering no major efforts from Google about Android Wear (after 1 year of consolidating Android Smart Watch OS variances, they pretty much threw in the towel). Maybe it's due to Samsung Watches owning the Android user lionshare??

My Ticwatch E arrives tomorrow. And that’s me giving up my AW 3!

I had to google this up. They have a "lemon" version ... although it made me chuck ... my sentiments below. That said hope it serves you well.

You mean the cheap junk market they don't even want?

 

[PickUrPoison]

wait are you saying Apple was the first company with a square smart watch? Common, even you don't believe that...

It looks like a cheap knockoff of the Apple Watch, and I don’t like the angled bezel.

But no GPS? That seems to be a key omission for a “mass appeal” smart watch. Running is the most common fitness usage. At least it has a heart rate monitor.

 

[bruinsrme]

Actually, my Apple Watch S3+LTE goes two full days on a charge, and I suspect newer models will get even better. But yeah, battery life as a product’s “best feature” is not a good sign.

I been purposely watching my battery life and as of late the battery has been no lower than 45% with stream a hour or two of music.
My watches are charged over night anyway.

 

[nburwell]

I have to say, this is probably one of the more appealing watches Fitbit has released. Their past smartwatches have been, how do I say it? Pretty ugly. No way will I be selling my SBSS Series 2 for this, but at least Fitbit is moving in the right direction in terms of product design.

 

[44267547]

I like this design. It’s more contemporary. Interestingly enough, the article states they want to appeal to the female demographic more, Which the ‘Mass Appeal’ allegedly will be smaller. Which makes me wonder if Fitbit does not know their target market or they are trying to gain more ground. Either way, it’s difficult to compete against the Apple Watch with the hardware and How seamless watchOS is with iOS.

 

[MDF314159265]

Another half finished product, I’m sure. Had a sh*tbit and took it back. Worst product ever, IMO. I continue to ask and “investigate,” and sure enough, people still deal with the frustrations I experienced.

 

[Moorepheus]

Former Fitbit Blaze owner (AW3 now), had it for two years and work just as well on the last day I used it as the first day I got it. I can't comment on batter life, as I charged it every morning, but it would fully charge in about 30 minutes. As for iOS integration, I have to agree with others, using their app, and no built in support for Apple's health app is why I me switch to the AW3 when I bought one for my g/f. Original bought her a Fitbit as well, but the nickel in the metal bands causes a serious reaction with her. Fitbit was kind to take it back and refund me my purchase price. However, with that said, this looks really nice and was still using my Blaze, I would probably upgrade to that one.

Actually, my Apple Watch S3+LTE goes two full days on a charge, and I suspect newer models will get even better. But yeah, battery life as a product’s “best feature” is not a good sign.

I can get up to 60 hours on my AW3/LTE (If I don't use LTE).

 

[ghost187]

I know this is not related but why doesn’t any smart watch have a body thermometer is it because of the FDA? It should be the cheapest sensor to implement and it would be infinitely useful for tracking ones health. If anyone has any information on this thanks in advance!

 

[sracer]

It looks very nice. If the price is right I'll seriously consider it. I find my current FitBit device to work extremely well for what I want such a device to do. Though it isn't the most attractive looking thing.

In contrast, I don't find the Apple Watch to be appealing to me at all on any level. But I still get quite a bit of use out of my silver 6th gen iPod Nano+stainless watchband. Yes, that clearly makes me an oddball.

 

[Kabeyun]

wait are you saying Apple was the first company with a square smart watch? Common, even you don't believe that...

Nope. Not what I’m saying. I’m saying that Apple makes a host of design and function decisions the rest of the industry eventually emulates in one way or another, and the success of AW and its rounded rectangle design (over which Jony Ive deliberated forever, and decided made sense to most easily accommodate complications) is another strong incentive for this to continue. Furthermore, these emulators often are the very same people/entities who either mocked Apple’s decisions or accused them of lack of innovation. The list of copied design cues is very long and, yes, already includes the notch.

And...“Even me”??

 

[44267547]

It looks very nice. If the price is right I'll seriously consider it. I find my current FitBit device to work extremely well for what I want such a device to do. I don't find the Apple Watch to be appealing to me at all on any level

Genuinely confused by your statement. You’re saying the Fitbit Mass Appeal looks nice, which resembles the Apple Watch in a multitude of ways and yet, you don’t find the Apple Watch appealing?

 

[sracer]

Nope. Not what I’m saying. I’m saying that Apple makes a host of design and function decisions the rest of the industry eventually emulates in one way or another, and the success of AW and its rounded rectangle design (over which Jony Ive deliberated forever, and decided made sense to most easily accommodate complications) is another strong incentive for this to continue. Furthermore, these emulators often are the very same people/entities who either mocked Apple’s decisions or accused them of lack of innovation. The list of copied design cues is very long and, yes, already includes the notch.

It seems as if you are engaging in a bit of history revisionism. For example: Jony Ive didn't create nor improve the "rounded rectangle design". The Pebble Smartwatch was out 3 years before the Apple Watch. The remainder of your post reflects a similar selective memory.

 

[TwoBytes]

Shambles of a company..no uk food database, the web database has duplicate food and exercise listings with different data under the same name. I've tried them all, Fitbit products are like crippled Apple Watches.

 

[Kabeyun]

It seems as if you are engaging in a bit of history revisionism. For example: Jony Ive didn't create nor improve the "rounded rectangle design". The Pebble Smartwatch was out 3 years before the Apple Watch. The remainder of your post reflects a similar selective memory.

Ok everyone. Raise your hand if you think this square-cornered brick looks like a rectangle with rounded corners.

Even if you think so, you’re claiming that Apple didn’t even improve on the design of the original Pebble. Um, wow. There’s a lot we could all say about that remark as pertains to the impact on your credibility (not to mention the hypocrisy of accusations of revisionism and selective memory) but I think I’ll just let it speak for itself.

 

[rockrigo]

Ok everyone. Raise your hand if you think this square-cornered brick looks like a rectangle with rounded corners.

Even if you think so, you’re claiming that Apple didn’t even improve on the design of the original Pebble. Um, wow. There’s a lot we could all say about that remark as pertains to the impact on your credibility (not to mention the hypocrisy of accusations of revisionism and selective memory) but I think I’ll just let it speak for itself.

durrrrrrr

Pebble Time

 

[Kabeyun]

durrrrrrr

Pebble Time

He was referring to the Pebble that was released three years before the AW. That would be the Pebble Smartwatch. The Pebble Time, which you’ve chosen to show, was released five months after the AW reveal.

durrrrrrrrrread more.

 

[rockrigo]

He was referring to the Pebble that was released three years before the AW. That would be the Pebble Smartwatch. The Pebble Time, which you’ve chosen to show, was released five months after the AW reveal.

durrrrrrrrrread more.

I did

On February 24, 2015, Pebble announced the Pebble Time, their second-generation Pebble smartwatch via its Kickstarter campaign.

 

[magicschoolbus]

I love my fitbit. The Apple watch is great but I still find it to expensive for what it does. The Apple Watch is JUST starting to be worth it to me with Snowboard tracking and water resistance.

 

[dotnet]

Wait till Nilay sees this...

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

No GPS is really a non-starter in 2018. It should be a standard feature in anything priced $199 and up.

First of all, Apple still sells Series 1 w/o GPS for over $199.

Secondly, I honestly think there is a space for a smartwatch/fitness tracker without GPS. The primary purpose for it would be for outdoor run/bike/swim, but a very large section of the population doesn't do that (and certainly not regularly). Even for someone who's trying to get in shape it still works great for lifting weights, treadmill running, stationary bike, etc.... Plus even for those occasional outdoor runs it can be in the ballpark without GPS which is usually fine for someone who's not overly concerned with distance accuracy. And lastly, and this one applies to me, even people who do these outdoor activities frequently might still bring their phone with them regardless for cell service/music/podcasts. For me it's the podcasts and audiobooks. I've been tempted to upgrade to a GPS variant Apple watch, but I realize that as watchOS currently stands, I'd still bring my phone with me anyway...

And ditching the GPS can save money, size, and battery life
[doublepost=1519857394][/doublepost]

How many different ways can you make a square screen with a bezel, appear? The design is square glass and metal bezel. All smartwatches are going to look the same.

Except for the fact that I'd argue there are currently a dozen very distinctive smartwatch/activity tracker designs. Some square, some circular, and some rectangular, and there are additional distinctive traits aside from screen shape.

 

[Kabeyun]

I did

On February 24, 2015, Pebble announced the Pebble Time, their second-generation Pebble smartwatch via its Kickstarter campaign.

Looks like I need to walk you through it again:

sracer: “ Jony Ive didn't create nor improve the ‘rounded rectangle design’. The Pebble Smartwatch was out 3 years before the Apple Watch.”
me: posted images of the Pebble Smartwatch and how in fact it doesn’t look like that
you: but what about the Pebble Time? durrrrrr
me: as I said, he was talking about the Pebble Smartwatch. The Pebble Time came out 5 months after the AW reveal [which was in September 2014].
you: but what about the Pebble Time?

me: starts banging head against wall