Fitbit Debuts Sense, its Most Advanced Health Smartwatch; World’s first with EDA Sensor for Stress Management,[1] Plus ECG App,[2] SpO2 and Skin Temperature Sensors
Fitbit also launches Versa 3, adding GPS and a speaker; brings enhanced design and Active Zone Minutes (AZM) to Inspire 2
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Fitbit (NYSE:FIT) has announced Fitbit SenseTM, the company’s most advanced health smartwatch, bringing innovative sensor and software technology with the world’s first electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor on a smartwatch to help manage stress, along with advanced heart rate tracking technology, new ECG app,2 and an on-wrist skin temperature sensor,[3] all powered by 6+ days’ battery life.[4] Fitbit Sense is also paired with a free six-month trial of Fitbit PremiumTM.[5] Fitbit is also introducing Fitbit Versa 3TM, with exciting new health, fitness and convenience features, including GPS and the addition of Google Assistant.[6] Last, Fitbit has enhanced its most accessible tracker, increasing battery life up to 10 days,4 adding more health and fitness features like AZM, and adding a one-year free Premium trial with Fitbit Inspire 2TM.5 By making these powerful tools and resources available and more accessible to everyone, the Fitbit platform helps you better understand and take control of your wellbeing during this unprecedented time.
“Our mission to make everyone in the world healthier has never been more important than it is today. COVID-19 has shown us all how critical it is to take care of both our physical and mental health and wellbeing,” said James Park, co-founder and CEO, Fitbit. “Our new products and services are our most innovative yet, coupling our most advanced sensor technology and algorithms to unlock more information about our bodies and our health so you can be in control. We are breaking new ground with our wearables, helping you better understand and manage your stress and heart health, and pulling your key health metrics together in a simple and digestible way to track things like skin temperature, heart rate variability and SpO2 so you can see how it’s all connected. Most importantly, we are making health accessible, surfacing new data that you may only get once or twice a year at the doctor’s office that you can use to focus on your holistic health and wellness, at a time when it’s needed most.”
Manage Your Stress for Better Health
Stress is a global issue, with one in three people experiencing a lot of worry or stress, as well as psychological and physiological symptoms caused by stress.[7] Over time, the physical strain from stress can contribute to a variety of health problems if unmanaged, like an increased risk for high blood pressure and heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders like anxiety or depression.[8] The combined on-device and in-app experience with Fitbit Sense gives you insights into your body’s response to stress with tools to help you manage both your physical and mental stress. This innovative stress management experience was built by Fitbit’s team of behavioural health experts, with decades of expertise in diagnosing and treating mental health, along with guidance from medical experts at leading academic institutions.
The new EDA sensor on Fitbit Sense measures electrodermal activity responses. Using the EDA Scan app, place your palm over the face of the device to detect small electrical changes in the sweat level of your skin.[9] Measuring your EDA responses can help you understand your body’s response to stressors and help you manage your stress. You can do a quick EDA Scan session on device to see your responses, or pair it with guided mindfulness sessions in the Fitbit app to see how your body responds during meditation or relaxation. At the end of your session, you will see an EDA response graph on-device and in the mobile app[10] to gauge your progress over time and reflect on how you feel emotionally.
Fitbit’s new Stress Management Score calculates how your body is responding to stress based on your heart rate, sleep and activity level data. Available with Fitbit Sense, it can be found in the new stress management tile in the Fitbit app. Ranging from 1-100, with a higher score indicating your body is showing fewer physical signs of stress, the score is coupled with recommendations to better manage stress, like breathing exercises and other mindfulness tools. Fitbit Premium members will get a detailed breakdown on how the score is calculated, which consists of over 10 biometric inputs, including exertion balance (impact of activity), responsiveness (heart rate, heart rate variability and electrodermal activity from the EDA Scan app), and sleep patterns (sleep quality).
All Fitbit users will have access to the new mindfulness tile in the Fitbit app.[11] Here, you can set a weekly mindfulness goal and reminders, reflect on your stress, log your mood after sessions, and meditate as a part of your mindfulness practice. Premium members can choose from more than 100 meditation sessions from popular brands like Aaptiv, Aura, Breethe and Ten Percent Happier,[12] listen to a variety of relaxing sounds from Fitbit, and see how your practice correlates with your mood over time.
“A regular meditation practice has both physical and emotional benefits, from reducing stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression, to helping cardiovascular health such as improving blood pressure and heart rate,” said Dr. Helen Weng, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. “Meditation is exercise for your mind. Just like physical exercise, you need a consistent practice to cultivate your mental capacity for it. Finding a meditation practice that works for you is important for building long-term health and wellness benefits. Fitbit can help you achieve this through its mindfulness and measurement tools, including the new Stress Management Score and EDA Scan app, so that you can see your progress and build a personalised meditation practice that is impactful and sustainable.”
Understand and Manage Your Heart Health
Fitbit Sense also ushers in the company’s next era of heart health innovation, a space Fitbit pioneered by offering the first 24/7 wrist-based heart rate tracking in 2014, through the launch of Active Zone MinutesTM earlier this year.[13] Fitbit Sense is the company’s first device with an ECG app,2 to assess your heart rhythm for signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that affects more than 33.5 million people globally.[14] Simply hold your fingers on the corners of the stainless steel ring around the watch while being still for 30 seconds to receive a reading that can be downloaded to share with your doctor.
Fitbit’s new PurePulse 2.0 technology, with an all-new multi-path heart rate sensor and updated algorithm, delivers the company’s most advanced heart rate technology yet. It also powers another critical heart health feature – personalised, on-device high and low heart rate notifications.[15] With 24/7 continuous heart rate tracking, Fitbit Sense can detect and send a notification if your heart rate is outside of your thresholds.[16] While many factors can affect your heart rate, like stress or temperature, a high or low heart rate may be an indication of a heart condition that requires medical attention, such as bradycardia (heart rate that is too slow) and tachycardia (heart rate that is too fast).[17]
Get the Best of Fitbit
Fitbit Sense also combines all of the key health, fitness and smart features found on Fitbit’s other smartwatches, including on-board GPS, 20+ on-device exercise modes, SmartTrack® automatic activity tracking, Cardio Fitness Level and Score, and advanced sleep tools. Stay connected with a range of smart features for added convenience, including a built-in speaker and microphone to take calls and reply to texts with voice commands,[18] choice of Amazon Alexa or Google voice assistants,6 contactless payments[19], thousands of apps and clock faces and more, while still maintaining an impressive 6+ days’ battery life.4
Intelligent Design for Maximum Performance, Style and Comfort
Fitbit Sense was created through a series of unique and innovative design processes, including miniaturised nano-moulding and laser bonding technology to create Fitbit’s most powerful and intelligent device to date. Fitbit Sense features a new design language that is inspired by the human body, combining friendly silhouettes and a graceful form with purposeful materials. Finishes are physically and visually lightweight, premium and built to last, with aerospace-grade aluminium and stainless steel for a polished, high-tech look. New infinity bands are flexible and comfortable, while the quick-release attachment makes it easier to swap looks from day to night. The robotically-crafted body features a fusion of glass and metal, and the watch is water-resistant up to 50M. The biosensor core within has been configured to house the most sensors of any Fitbit device, while maintaining a sleek aesthetic and long battery life.
The larger AMOLED display features an integrated ambient light sensor to automatically dim the screen for easier viewing, along with an optional always-on display mode.[20] The near edge-to-edge display is more responsive, with increased resolution. The user interface and faster processor has been completely redesigned, delivering our most intuitive, focused on-screen navigation. This includes the introduction of new customisable widgets, redesigned notifications and on-screen apps for a cleaner look, while letting you customise your favourite tools and shortcuts to feature more personalised information for a seamless smartwatch experience. More information about Fitbit Sense can be found here.
Fitbit Versa 3, More to Love
Fitbit is also launching Fitbit Versa 3, adding new health, fitness and convenience features to the company’s most popular smartwatch family. On-device GPS, in-app workout intensity map, enhanced PurePulse 2.0 technology, and Active Zone Minutes make it easier than ever to stay on top of your fitness goals, beyond tracking your daily steps. Fitbit Versa 3 has even more smart features to add convenience to your day, including a built-in speaker and microphone to take quick phone calls, send calls to voicemail and adjust call volume – all from the wrist.18 You also have a choice of voice assistants with the addition of Google Assistant alongside Amazon Alexa Built-in,6 so you can set reminders for your workout, mindfulness practice or bedtime, check the weather, add hand sanitiser to your shopping list, control your smart home devices and more just by speaking to your watch. Use Fitbit PayTM19 to make quick, secure payments while avoiding public surfaces, and get access to thousands of apps and clock faces. New curated playlists from music partners Deezer, Pandora and Spotify, make it easy to pick the right music for your workout intensity level.[21] Its updated design and interface take a cue from Fitbit Sense, including softer lines, increased comfort, greater responsiveness, and faster, more effortless interactions. All Fitbit Versa 3 features are also available on Fitbit Sense. More information about Fitbit Versa 3 can be found here.
For the first time, both Fitbit Versa 3 and Fitbit Sense will utilize the same magnetic charger. With an already long battery life of 6+ days on each device, if you find yourself running low, a 12-minute quick charge provides one full day of use.[22] Cross-compatible accessories feature an easy, quick-release band attachment and come in a wide variety of colours and styles, including designer partnerships with Pendleton® and Victor Glemaud. Pendleton™ bands reflect the brand’s ties to nature and iconic designs with a patterned woven aesthetic, while the Victor Glemaud collection channels the Haitian-American designer’s joyful, gender-neutral, body positive approach in bold, sustainable knits.
Get Even More with Fitbit Inspire 2
Building on the success of the company’s stylish yet affordable Fitbit Inspire and Inspire HR trackers, Fitbit Inspire 2 adds advanced features like Active Zone Minutes, an enhanced stylish, slim design, and a brighter, more vibrant screen with the longest battery life of any Fitbit device at 10 days.4 The easy-to-use fitness tracker helps you build healthy habits with motivating features like 20+ goal-based exercise modes, advanced sleep tools, 24/7 heart rate tracking, menstrual health tracking, and see your food and hydration intake, along with your weight, all with daily encouragement right on your wrist. The addition of a one-year free trial of Fitbit Premium5 provides incredible value to Fitbit Inspire 2, giving you added guidance and motivation to reach your wellness goals. Additional information about Fitbit Inspire 2 can be found here.
Fitbit Premium – Get More from Your Fitbit Device
Fitbit Premium boosts your Fitbit experience when paired with any Fitbit device, unlocking deeper analysis of your data and more personalised insights that connect the dots across your activity, sleep and heart rate. It delivers advanced sleep tools, hundreds of workouts from popular brands like Aaptiv, barre3, Daily Burn, Down Dog, obé, Physique 57, POPSUGAR and Yoga Studio by Gaiam, as well as celebrities, trainers and influencers like Ayesha Curry, Charlee Atkins and Harley Pasternak. You’ll also get mindfulness content from Aaptiv, Aura, Breethe and Ten Percent Happier, motivating games and challenges, guided programs for activity, sleep and nutrition, and a wellness report to share with your care team – all in the Fitbit app.
Fitbit Premium continues to build on its offerings and broaden its reach. With over 500,000 paid members less than a year after it was introduced, Premium will expand to Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Swedish by the end of September, increasing the potential for even more Fitbit users around the world to benefit from its service.
Pricing and Availability
Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 3 and Fitbit Inspire 2 are available today for pre-order on Fitbit.com and online at select retailers, with broad worldwide availability starting in Q4 2020.
Fitbit Sense is available for PHP 19,490 in carbon/graphite stainless steel and lunar white/soft gold stainless steel. Fitbit Versa 3 is available for PHP 14,790 in black/black aluminium, pink clay/soft gold aluminium and midnight/soft gold aluminium.
Fitbit Inspire 2 is available for PHP 6,290 in black, lunar white and desert rose. Sold separately, accessories are available in premium Horween® leather bands in midnight blue or black double wrap, [23] mesh bands in silver and rose gold stainless steel, printed silicon band in bloom, classic silicone bands in black, lunar white and desert rose, and a new clip band in black, starting at PHP 1,390, available on Fitbit.com.
Fitbit Premium is available for PHP 519 per month or PHP 4,190 per year. For more information or to sign up for either membership service, visit the Fitbit app or Fitbit.com.
###
About Fitbit, Inc. (NYSE: FIT)
Fitbit helps people lead healthier, more active lives by empowering them with data, inspiration and guidance to reach their goals. Fitbit designs products and experiences that track and provide motivation for everyday health and fitness. Fitbit’s diverse line of innovative and popular products include Fitbit Sense™, the Fitbit Versa™ family of smartwatches, Fitbit Charge 4™, Fitbit Inspire 2™, and Fitbit Ace 2™ activity trackers, and Fitbit Aria Air smart scale. Fitbit products are carried in approximately 39,000 retail stores and in 100+ countries around the globe. The Fitbit platform delivers personalised experiences, insights and guidance through leading software and interactive tools, including the Fitbit and Fitbit Coach apps, and Fitbit OS for smartwatches. Fitbit’s paid subscription service, Fitbit Premium, provides advanced analytics and actionable guidance in the Fitbit app to help you reach your health and fitness goals. Fitbit Health Solutions develops health and wellness solutions designed to help increase engagement, improve health outcomes, and drive a positive return for employers, health plans and health systems.
Fitbit and the Fitbit logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fitbit, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. Additional Fitbit trademarks can be found www.fitbit.com/legal/trademark-list. Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Looking for motivation? You’re in the right place – join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. We want to hear from you, share your Fitbit experience with us here.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the safe harbour provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties including, among other things, statements about the future availability and pricing of Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 3, Fitbit Inspire 2; future availability of certain device features and offerings in Fitbit Premium, including but not limited to voice control features, our ECG app and the future potential, expected performance and/or benefits of products or services described in this release, including but not limited to the potential of our products to predict the emergence of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19; and our ability to help users manage or improve their health and wellness. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors, including the effects of the highly competitive market in which we operate, including competition from much larger technology companies; any inability to successfully develop and introduce new products, features, and services or enhance existing products and services; product liability issues, security breaches or other defects; the impact of the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 virus; and other factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information available to us as of the date hereof and we do not assume any obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.
# # #
[1] World’s first smartwatch with an EDA sensor to help manage stress.
[2] FDA review of compatible ECG app pending; Only available in the U.S. upon clearance. Availability outside the U.S. pending applicable regulatory clearances including approval under Directive 93/42/EEC (the Medical Device Directive). The ECG app has not yet received a CE mark and will not be marketed, put into service or otherwise made available in the EU until it has obtained regulatory approval. Not intended for use by people under 22 years old. See fitbit.com/ecg for more details.
[3] Skin temperature variation only available in select markets.
[4] Battery life varies with use and other factors.
[5] New Premium users only. Valid payment method required. Free trial must be activated within 60 days of device activation. Cancel before free trial ends to avoid subscription fees. See full terms & conditions here. Premium content and features subject to change.
[6] Voice assistant availability and features may vary, see fitbit.com/voice. Google Assistant coming late 2020.
[7] Gallop 2019 Global Emotions Report, source: “More than one in three people said they experienced a lot of worry (39%) or stress (35%), and three in 10 experienced a lot of physical pain (31%). At least one in five experienced sadness (24%) or anger (22%).”
[8] American Heart Association, source: “Stress and Heart Health;” National Institute of Mental Health, source: “5 Things You Should Know About Stress’; International Labour Organization, source: “Workplace Stress, A Collective Challenge.”
[9] These changes may be due to stress or other factors such as movement, noise or temperature change.
[10] Access responses in the mindfulness tile in the Fitbit app; EDA response graph on-device only after quick scan session.
[11] Mindfulness tile will be available on a rolling basis to all Fitbit users starting in September 2020.
[12] Meditation sessions with audio available in English only.
[13] Active Zone Minutes is available on Fitbit Inspire 2, Fitbit Charge 4, and all Fitbit smartwatches.
[14] Chugh S, Havmoeller R, Narayanan K, Singh D, Rienstra M, Benjamin E, Gillum R, Kim YH, McAnulty Jr JH, Zheng ZJ. Worldwide Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation: Global Burden of Disease 2010 Study. Circulation. 2014; 129: 837-847.
[15] This feature is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. It is intended to simply help you monitor and keep track of your information.
[16] Heart rate notifications are sent after you appear to be inactive for at least 10 minutes
[17] American Heart Association: Bradycardia and Tachycardia.
[18] Available when phone is nearby. Bluetooth calling and volume control coming soon. Reply to text available only to Android users.
[19] Fitbit Pay is available with more than 500 issuers in 45 countries and 10 transit systems worldwide. See availability: www.fitbit.com/fitbit-pay/banks.
[20] Always-on display mode requires more frequent charging.
[21] Subscriptions required for use of music services; not available in all countries. Phone must be nearby to control Spotify.
[22] Battery life varies with use and other factors; up to 12 hours with continuous GPS usage. Fast charging gives you 24 hours of battery life.
[23] Leather accessories are made of Horween® leather and other materials. All styles sold exclusively at Fitbit.com
 |
3 Comments