Basis Peak
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Which fitness bands are worth buying?
We spend a lot of time in front of our computers, which could be why we're so keen to track all the times we actually step away from our screens and get a little walking or running done. To that end, every manufacturer seems to be coming out with a fitness band to brandish on your wrist. But when one wearable looks like the others, and they each operate in different ecosystems, it's hard to know which will best suit your needs. We've taken a look at a few recent releases and their reviews, narrowing the field to seven of the better models out there -- plus one you should avoid.
Basis Peak to get its smartwatch-like features in December
In our recent review of the Basis Peak, we pointed out its potential to be a pretty good smartwatch, just as it is a fitness tracker. And, thanks to a firmware update set to arrive next month, Basis, which is now owned by Intel, will be making its wearable better than it already is. Around mid-December, the Basis Peak is going to begin supporting notifications from Android and iOS devices, including those that come from your calendar, text messages and phone calls. While you'll have to wait for those smartwatch-like features to come to the Peak, something new that's available now is the ability to share your heart rate data with third-party fitness apps via Bluetooth. What's more, the Basis Peak is expanding availability outside of the US, to Canada and the UK in the middle of December as well -- Basis says international pricing will vary depending on the region.
Basis Peak review: a good fitness tracker, with room to be a good smartwatch
Jawbone. Fitbit. Microsoft. And now... Basis. If you don't know much about the brand, you really should get up to speed: The company quietly put out one of the best fitness trackers, and now it's a part of Intel. Which means, it's officially one of the big names in health gadgets. Like the previous-generation B1 band, the new Basis Peak can automatically detect when you're exercising or asleep, making it one of the most automated fitness trackers around. This time, though, it brings a sharper design, a redesigned app and an improved sensor that can track your heart rate when you're working out, as opposed to when you're just sitting still. What's more, it will eventually be able to display smartwatch-like notifications on its 1.25-inch touchscreen, at which point it'll be way more versatile than your typical fitness band. Like before, the Peak costs $200, meaning it's still one of the more expensive fitness trackers on the market. As you'll see, though, I'm not sure that's a dealbreaker.
Basis unveils its first fitness tracker since getting acquired by Intel
You probably mainly think of Intel as the company trying to make 2-in-1s happen, but lately it's been dabbling in fitness, too. It all started when the chip maker acquired Basis, the creator of what was quite possibly the most sophisticated fitness wearable on the market. Intel promised it'd make it even smarter. Or something. Now, six months later, Basis is introducing the Peak, its first fitness tracker since joining Chipzilla. And it is indeed a bit smarter. Mostly, though, it's just a better-designed device.
