World leader in wearable technology Fitbit recently introduced the latest addition to its line, the Fitbit Alta. What sets the Fitbit Alta apart from previous models and other trackers, in general, is its fashion appeal according to a DailyMail article by Stacy Liberatore.
Unveiled at the Trump Soho hotel, Fitbit CEO and Co-Founder said that the Fitbit Alba will definitely turn heads as it is Fitbit's most fashionable device yet. Park said, "The attractive, versatile design of this new fitness tracker fits seamlessly into daily life - from the gym to the office to a night out."
Fitness activity trackers seem to lead the wearable technology market. Designed to monitor, record and track fitness related data such as distance walked or run, calorie consumption, heartbeat and even quality of sleep, these devices can make people lead healthier lifestyles as it would be easier to monitor data that were previously only reached by estimation.
According to a Yahoo News article by David Pogue, a total 17 million of fitness wristbands were sold last year. The industry is expected to explode in the next four years with market research firm International Data Corporation (IDC) expecting the gadgets to sell by around 125 million devices by the year 2019.
So how does the new Fitbit offering fare as a fitness tracker? It certainly is stylish according to Daily Mail, with a variety of bands to choose from which include plastic ($30 in black, blue, teal and plum), leather ($60) and stainless steel ($100). Fitness enthusiasts who are also fashion conscious would surely love the fact that the brain module can be easily removed and reattached to a different band, making it possible for the tracker to match the current outfit of the wearer.
Although HeartRateMonitor has not yet tested the model, it was able to post Alta's main features on its website:
- All-Day Activity - Offers a more accurate recording of the degree of physical activity of the wearer, recording it 24/7.
- Auto Sleep Tracking - The tracker can monitor your sleep duration and quality since sleep is an important part of anyone's overall fitness.
- Reminders to Move - It does remind one if it detects prolonged periods of inactivity which suggests a sedentary lifestyle.
- Clock - It acts like a watch and tells the time and date.
- SmartTrack Auto Exercise Recognition - Not all exercises are done at the gym and Alta is smart enough to know that. So running for the bus, or going up and down a flight of stair will be counted as exercises as well.
- Tap Display - A simple tap will display the information needed.
- Call, Text and Calendar Alerts - It can be synced with smartphones to notify calls, texts and calendar alerts, a handy feature especially if the phones is on silent mode or out of sight.
- Accessory Bands - The variety of colors and the bands make this tracker a fashion accessory.
Daily Mail laments that the Alta does not come with a heart monitor. However, Pogue's Yahoo article said that whatever Alta may lack, it's okay because no band does everything. Indeed, Pogue's article might have captured what Alta was designed for when he said, "The Alta is designed for everyday consumers who just want some healthy motivation; it's not for health nuts or athletes."
