fitbit flex
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Check out our latest wearable buyer's guide
Since we first posted our buyer's guide this summer, one of the most awaited wearables, the Moto 360, was released and is now starting to encircle the wrists of Android users everywhere. While it did have some battery woes at launch, recent software updates have addressed the issue, keeping this definitively watch-like device as one of our top selections this year. It's obviously not the only quantifying and notifying option out there, so for a quick refresher on some of our other top picks you can head to the gallery below. You can also check out our full listing of phones, laptops, tablets and wearables that could help flesh out your holiday wishlist. There's still more to come over the next few months, and we'd love to hear your input (in the comments below) on what items you'd like to see included.
How would you change the Fitbit Flex?
Fitbit is one of the most well respected names in the quantified-self space, so we expected a lot of the Fitbit Flex. When we put the device in front of Terrence O'Brien, he found that it wasn't the most feature-packed, or the flashiest, but certainly the most well-rounded device on the market. That was despite the fact that the Nike Fuelband had a better display and the Jawbone Up had a better mobile platform. One of the reasons, of course, that the Flex won out was its cheaper price, and you can rarely argue with that. What we'd like you all to do this week is to sign up to our product forums and discuss what, if Fitbit came knocking on your door, you'd change.
Fitbit partners with women's fashion designer Tory Burch on Flex accessories
If the wearable trend is ever going to truly take off, companies are going to have to figure out how to make people want to wear them. That means taking it a step beyond simply not being embarrassed to be seen wearing one in public -- these devices are going to have to actually be attractive. Pebble got the memo, now Fitbit is taking steps to turn its Flex fitness tracker into a legit fashion accessory. The company is partnering with Tory Burch, maker of high-end women's fashion pieces, to design a line of bracelets and necklaces that will be able to hold the little Flex bug. While there doesn't appear to be any final designs just yet, the sketches the company shared with us seem to indicate the goal will be to mask its gadget heart as completely as possible, while adding a dash of golden bling. The goods themselves are expected to launch sometime in the Spring. But until then, you'll just have to peruse Tory Burch's current jewelry and let your imagination run wild.
This week on gdgt: Fitbit's Flex may never leave your wrist
Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their latest picks. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt's newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.
Fitbit introduces Flex wristband at CES 2013
Fitbit is one of the oldest names in fitness tracking these days, though given how new the industry actually is, the company's not really that old at all. But they have been around for a few years now, and this year at CES, the company introduced one more addition to its line of motion-based trackers. The Fitbit Flex is a wristband-style tracker (similar to the popular Nike FuelBand) that's designed to sit up near the higher end of the Fitbit line. At US$99.95, it's not very cheap, but Fitbit obviously wants this to be one of their most popular of trackers, making it easy to strap to your wrist, and from there track all sorts of stats, including steps taken, calories burned, time active, and even sleep time and quality. The Flex comes in five different colors, and each one has five different LED lights that are designed to let you know how close you are to your goal for the day, whatever that is. The device looks very smooth, and while the $99.95 price might be a tougher sell for those not yet on board the fitness tracker train, it definitely gives Fitbit one more excellent option in a market that's quickly filling up. Our good friends over at Engadget have more on the device, including a full gallery and a video with hands-on footage. The Flex is coming later on this spring, though you can pre-order it from Fitbit starting right now.
