14 DAY TRIAL // Fitbit is expected to step into the smartwatch war with its very own device, after years of investing exclusively in activity trackers like the Flex, Charge, and the higher-end Blaze.
But according to a new report, Fitbit has recently decided to delay the release of its smartwatch due to a series of issues that it encountered with the first prototypes, and a launch is now expected to take place in the fall, though this plan is uncertain as well.
No GPS, no waterproofing (yet)
Originally planned for this spring, the smartwatch was plagued by issues like GPS not working at all because the antenna was positioned in the wrong place, and this is a design issue that a company the size of Fitbit should not come across, especially after acquiring firms like Pebble with a rich know-how in this field.
“They had to go back to the drawing board to redesign the product so the GPS got a strong signal,” one unnamed source was quoted as saying.
Furthermore, it looks like Fitbit really has a hard time making the smartwatch fully waterproof, and the company sees this feature as a must-have for the device. Fitbit wants its smartwatch to be a direct rival to Apple Watch, and launching it without waterproofing would certainly draw more criticism for its first-ever Apple rival.
A refined version of the Blaze
On the other hand, Fitbit is planning to offer features that would bring its device in line with the Apple Watch, such as a high-quality display with 1,000 nits of brightness, payment support, HR, Pandora music storing and playback, and no less than 4 days of battery life.
It looks like the waterproofing is the one that’s taking the most time and this is why the estimated fall launch is still uncertain.
“Regardless of whether Fitbit manages to make it waterproof, I think they have to release the watch later this year,” another anonymous source added. “It’s literally sink or swim time for them.”
As far as the design is concerned, you’re going to be disappointed. A number of retailers have already been provided with an early look at the Fitbit smartwatch and it seems it looks very similar to the Blaze, with one source describing it as “definitely not sexy” and “retro looking.”
Although an excellent activity tracker, the Blaze has been criticized for its rugged look and lack of refinements, but it appears Fitbit wants to stick with a similar design for its future smartwatch as well.
The company hasn’t obviously offered any specifics on these rumors, but acknowledged that it’s aware “there is a lot of interest in our entry into the smartwatch category.”