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The last year has not been kind to Fitbit, as the company has continued to struggle against the likes of Apple, Garmin, and other wearable manufacturers. However, it seems that Fitbit is ready to make its comeback as the company announced its first smartwatch – the Fitbit Ionic.
This smartwatch has been rumored for quite some time, with initial rumors popping up all the way back in May. After Fitbit acquired two smartwatch OEMs in Pebble and Vector, there was seemingly no doubt that we were in store to see an all-new smartwatch hit the market.
Now that the Fitbit Ionic is here, let’s take a look at what it offers. While there are no specifics on the size of the display, Fitbit is claiming that the touchscreen offers a brightness of 1,000 nits, making it extremely easy to view even in direct sunlight.
As for the battery life, Fitbit is claiming that the Ionic will last for up to 10 hours if you are using the built-in GPS capabilities and non-stop music playback. That number jumps to over 4 days with regular usage, and the Ionic can be recharged in as little as 2 hours. Fitbit also suggests that users charge the Ionic “every few days to ensure you are always tracking”.
Speaking of non-stop music playback, the Ionic includes 2.5GB of onboard storage, which may seem a bit small, but is enough for up to 300 songs. This is definitely a welcome addition considering that the onboard GPS chip will make it easier for you to leave your smartphone at home during your workout.
When it comes to the different workouts that can be measured, the Ionic capable of tracking 20 different types of fitness activities. This includes various sports, runs, and even swimming thanks to the water resistance rating of up to 50 meters.
What makes the Fitbit Ionic a bit odd is the operating system that is found on the smartwatch. Instead of opting for an open source option such as Android Wear, Fitbit opted to develop and use its own OS for the Ionic, named Ionic OS.
You may be worried about your notifications being able to come through with this proprietary OS, but Fitbit ensures that you will still be able to receive your notifications of choice after your smartphone is linked. Furthermore, the Ionic will feature third-party apps developed specifically for the smartwatch, including Pandora, Starbucks, and Strava. Fitbit is also planning to release its SDK for the Ionic in September, opening the doors for other developers to get on board.
Finally, now that we’ve learned more about the Ionic, there’s one pressing question – how much does it cost? Simply stated, the Fitbit Ionic is currently available for pre-order for $299.95, with the Ionic due to hit storefronts in October.
Let us know what you think about the Fitbit Ionic and if you’ll be looking to give this one a shot, or if you’ll stick with your current smartwatch of choice.
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