CES 2016: Fitbit looks to pick a fight with smartwatches with new Blaze wearable

Fitbit has all but dominated the wearable health tracking game and has largely stayed away from going full smartwatch with devices that could co-exist with smartwatches or even analog timepieces. The new Fitbit Blaze revealed at CES 2016 is a departure from the companys original ethos. This looks like a smartwatch and could quickly be mistaken for a Samsung Gear device.

Priced at CAD $249.00, the Fitbit Blaze has a large colour touchscreen, a pulse monitor, all day activity and sleep tracking, music control capabilities, plus basic call, text and calendar alerts. Fitbit Blaze also has a fashion angle with various materials and coloured straps. With companion apps available for Android, iOS and Windows Phone, Fitbit Blaze is as cross platform as they come, it is supposedly compatible with over 200 devices.

Source: Fitbit

Christy Turlington Burns - Apple Watch can track runs without an iPhone

Being pitched as one of the most advanced health and activity tracking wearables, the Apple Watch was expected to require an iPhone in order to connect to the Internet as well as track activity information. Supermodel, marathon runner and Apple Watch spokesperson Christy Turlington Burns, recently revealed that the Apple Watch can track runs without an iPhone. 

Click to read more ...

HTC launches Re Grip health tracker at MWC

HTC teamed up with Under Armour to develop the new HTC Re Grip wearable focused on sports and health tracking. Compatible with iOS and Android, this bracelet resembles similar products from Nike and FitBit but brings a curved display. Taking aim at Nike and TomTom, the Grip is equipped with a GPS for tracking distance and location and it integrates with Under Armour's UA Record app. There's no heart-rate tracking component.

The Grip will initially be sold in the US only and the suggested retail price $199. The company is promising up to 5 hours of battery life while GPS is activated, or 2.5 days with GPS off.