Fitbit Introduces Wirst Smartwatch, The Ionic

KUALA LUMPUR: Fitness wearables maker Fitbit has launched its first smartwatch, the Ionic.

The smartwatch builds on Fitbit’s health and fitness expertise with a new relative SpO2 sensor, making it possible to track deeper health insights like sleep apnea in the future, industry-leading GPS tracking, on-device dynamic workouts, improved heart rate tracking, and water resistance up to 50 meters.

Besides that, the smartwatch offers smart features like contactless payments, on-board music, smart notifications, and a variety of popular apps and clock faces available in the Fitbit App Gallery.

Ionic also has all the core features from Fitbit like up to 5 days of battery life, automatic activity and sleep tracking, and cross-platform compatibility.

“Ten years ago, Fitbit pioneered the wearables category with the introduction of its first health and fitness tracker. Since then, we have become the leading global wearables brand, setting the pace of innovation in the category and establishing the largest social fitness network that helps millions of people around the world be healthier,” said James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit.

“With Ionic, we are delivering what consumers have not yet seen in a smartwatch, a health and fitness first platform that combines the power of personalisation and deeper insights with our most advanced technology to date, unlocking opportunities for unprecedented health tracking capabilities in the future,” he said.

Fitbit Asia Pacific director of product marketing Alexander Healy said the popularity of fitness smartwatches like Fitbit today is driven by the great food Malaysia has.

“Because of this people are realising that they are putting on weight, and would like to have something that can help and guide them be fit again,” users to reach their fitness goals – all while keeping them connected with apps and notifications, no matter what smartphones thay use.

The smartwatch offers fitness coaching, such as on-device step-by-step instructions for 7 Min Workout, 10 Min Abs and Treasure Chest, as well as dynamic workouts that adapt based on feedback users provide on their wrist.

“It also automatically tracks your run with the new Run Detect feature that kicks in GPS tracking – just step out of the door and go; see real-time pace and distance; auto-pause to grab some water or take a breather and automatically resume when you start running,” says Healy.

Besides that, the new swim exercise mode allows users to see their real-time laps, exercise duration and calories burned for pool swims.

Meanwhile, the GPS features allows users to leave their phones behind and see pace and distance right on their wrists, as well as record elevation climbed, split times, and a map of your walk, run or ride in the Fitbit app.

“Your run can also be more fun with 300 songs you can store on the device with its 2.5GB of storage,” said Healy.

Commenting on the Fitbit Pay, the company’s Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan country manager Louis Lye said Fitbit is talking to credit card providers such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express on having the cards installed on the Ionic.

“This will enable users to make cardless transactions,” he said, adding that Fitbit is looking at offering the service this year.

Besides the Ionic smartwatch, Fitbit also launched the Fitbit Flyer earphones and Fitbit Aria 2 Wifi smart scale.

The Fitbit Ionic is available at RM1,399, while the Fitbit Flyer at RM590 and Fitbit Aria 2 at RM620.