14 DAY TRIAL // There’s a big fuss around wearables these days, but not everything being said about them is positive. The important thing is that people are talking and that’s what is keeping the industry going in the search of progress.
Complaints about current wearables vary, but one of the most frequent we have been hearing about so far is their less-than-classy look. Some of them look plasticky, some are too bulky, and others will only agree with Robocop.
However, certain companies like Motorola have picked up the dissatisfaction of costumers regarding the way wearables look and have decided to go against the tide. So, the above-mentioned company is set to roll out one of the first round smartwatches.
What about activity trackers? If we are to believe the recent figures, fitness-centric bands are driving most sales, when we’re referring to wearables, but what about their design?
Most activity trackers available on the market today sport a similar appearance – they are colorful bracelets with a rubbery look to them.
In a way, it makes sense; fitness wearable manufacturers aren’t preoccupied with design, because such devices are meant to be used in the confines of the gym or while you’re out for a power run. The same can’t be said of smartwatches.
Nevertheless, Withings Activité aims to challenge our traditional perception of fitness trackers by offering a product that brings to the table an extremely stylish form factor (as seen on Wired).
Withings combines a beautiful analog watch face with the capabilities of a fitness wearable. The device looks gorgeous, having been created by Paris designers working together with Swiss watch makers.
The device is capable of monitoring steps, tracking how many calories you’ve burned, distance traveled, plus sleep patterns by using an accelerometer and other internal sensors.
The tracker is intelligent enough to “sense” when you are sleeping or awake, and it can gently nudge you back to reality via a vibrating alarm.
Exactly like you’d expect from a Swiss designer watch, the Activité takes advantage of a special Connected Movement time mechanism.
The device uses a tough sapphire glass material that doubles as a touchscreen display, allowing users to switch between different modes by virtue of a single tap. The Activité will be made available in either black or white.
We should also mention that the fitness tracker has two dials: the primary one is used to tell the time, while the smaller one keeps the established fitness goals in check.
Being the classy gizmo that it is, the Activité can connect to iOS devices (no Android compatibility for now) via Bluetooth LE. Users will be able to set up activity plans and receive progress records via the Withings Health Mate app.
To conclude, we’ll tell you that it’s perfectly safe to take the Activité to the pool, as the device is water resistant.
The stylish activity tracker is not available for the time being, but it will start shipping out to customers for $390 / €235 this fall.
