Samsung has released a new wristband into the competitive fitness wearable market. The device is called the Gear Fit2 which is able to function without a phone, and has features like GPS tracking, sleep tracking and more exercise based features, like a heart rate monitor.
Among the fitness features are three different tracking modes, cycling, running, and elliptical which allow users to track their advances as they workout, like their pace, route and time. Because it is a Samsung product Android users can sync their phone, music, and workout data to the wristband, but iPhone users can not.
Meet the #GearFit2. The all-day GPS and health-tracking sports band made for all the ways you move.https://t.co/dmsqJKN1iH
— Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) June 3, 2016
The wristband is $175, comes in two different sizes and in three colors: black, blue, and pink. Every wristband has a vertical display, 512 MB of RAM memory and its waterproof. The device launches June 10.
Along with their new wristband, Samsung announced the release of Gear IconX cord-free earbuds that are going to be available later this year. The headphones are $200 and have the ability to track heart rate and exercise while playing music.
This is one of many fitness trackers we have seen on the market, and with recent issues that Fitbit has encountered with the accuracy of their product there is no telling how well it will do. Fitbit has also had rising competition. Recently Xiaomi released its Mi Band 2 fitness band for $25. It gives users a step count, exercise time, Bluetooth and more. Overall, there isn’t much that sets the new Samsung apart from other fitness wearables except its ability to change between its different tracking features.
Samsung has recently been expanding its involvement with connected sports and fitness devices. Their creation of a swim cap that helps blind swimmers compete and a connected surfboard were announced just a few weeks ago. The cap has Bluetooth connectivity and vibrates when a swimmer needs to make a turn. The board allows a user to receive notifications while surfing like wind direction or Twitter updates.