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This week's best deals: Fitbit Inspire HR, the Apple Watch and more
This week's best deals include $100 off the Apple Watch Series 5, the Fitbit Inspire HR fitness tracker for $70 and $300 off the Roomba i7+ robot vacuum.
Fitbit will launch a 4G smartwatch for kids this year
A source close to the matter told Engadget that Fitbit will launch a kids smartwatch with 4G connectivity later this year, and to do so, it has acquired Hong Kong startup Doki Technologies, which made the world's first kids smartwatch with video calling.
Grab Fitbit's Inspire HR fitness tracker for only $70
Fitbit's Inspire HR tracker is now more accessible now that it's on sale for $70.
Fitbit Charge 4 review: Affordable GPS at last
It's been years since a Fitbit fitness tracker had built-in GPS. The new $150 Charge 4 band brings the company back to its roots and gives users a more affordable GPS tracker.
Stanford, Scripps and Fitbit try using wearables to detect infections
Stanford, Scripps Research and Fitbit have unveiled an initiative that, if successful, would use wearables to catch the early signs of infection. The project will study data from five different wearables, each of which will have its own algorithm.
Fitbit finally launches a Charge tracker with built-in GPS
We may all be staying in a lot more to curb the spread of COVID-19, but that doesn't mean we're no longer working out. Whether you're doing HIIT or yoga sessions at home, or you're going for a solo run in a deserted forest, a fitness tracker can still help keep you on top of your exercise goals. Fitbit has a new product that has welcome features for runners or home fitness fans alike. In fact, before the Charge 3 launched in 2018, users were already clamoring for the company to add onboard GPS. But that didn't show up, and the Charge 3 got a real touchscreen instead. Now, almost two years later, Fitbit is launching the Charge 4 and yes, it sports built-in GPS.
There's a new Fitbit Charge coming, based on leaked details
Fitbit users may be in for an update soon. According to UK accessory store Mobile Fun, a supplier posted details of the upcoming wearable -- which Fitbit has yet to announce -- but has since taken them down. To be clear, the listed features are anything but definite. That said, the Fitbit Charge 4 may not address the main gripe Engadget had with the Charge 3 -- a lack of onboard GPS.
Fitbit quietly enables blood oxygen tracking on its wearables
Fitbit's devices from recent years have blood oxygen monitoring (SpO2) hardware, but they haven't used it -- until now. Users on Reddit and elsewhere have noticed that their Versa, Ionic and Charge 3 devices are suddenly (if sometimes temporarily) providing blood oxygen data to help track health issues like asthma, heart disease and sleep apnea. It's not clear who's getting first dibs, but it's not dictated by device type or Premium memberships.
US will investigate Fitbit and Garmin following Philips complaints
The new year isn't getting off to a great start for some wearable device makers. The US International Trade Commission has agreed to investigate Fitbit, Garmin, distributor Ingram Micro and two Chinese manufacturers (Inventec and Maintek) over Philips' patent violation claims. Allegedly, the Fitbit and Garmin devices are infringing on technology such as activity tracking, alarm reporting and motion sensing. Philips maintained that it had been negotiating with the companies for three years before talks fell apart and forced its hand.
Fitbit Versa 2 drops to just $130 at Amazon
Deals during Black Friday week don't always represent the best discounts on a device, and you're looking at a textbook example of this. Amazon is selling Fitbit's Versa 2 smartwatch for $130, or $20 less than the steeply discounted price from late November. That could make it ideal if you're scrambling for a last-minute tech gift, or just want a full-fledged smartwatch at the price of a simpler fitness tracker.
Google reportedly facing a DOJ probe over its $2.1 billion Fitbit purchase
Both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) apparently aren't thrilled with Google's Fitbit acquisition. According to a New York Post report, both agencies are concerned that the purchase would give Google access to even more personal data, and they both sought authority to investigate the deal. Since the DOJ is already looking into Google's practices as part of a larger anti-competition probe, though, it was reportedly put in charge of reviewing the merger. A Post source said: "The DOJ's handling of Fitbit will give an early read on the Google investigation."
Save $50 on Fitbit's new Versa 2 smartwatch at Amazon
While it's only been out since September, Fitbit's Versa 2 smartwatch is getting a decent discount ahead of Black Friday. Amazon is currently selling the silicone and woven band models for $149 and $180, down from their usual $200 and $230 price tags. According to price tracker Camelcamelcamel, $149 is the lowest price on the Versa 2 from the online retailer.
The best fitness wearables
There are smartwatches, and then there are fitness wearables. And while it's easy to think they're the same, they aren't. The former offers deep integration with your phone and the option to use apps, music players and mobile payments. Those aren't to be mistaken with fitness watches, which have an emphasis on durability, reliability and accuracy. If you're looking for a watch that's less of a jack of all trades (just a master of a few), this is where we'd have you look.
Here's how Fitbit can help fix Wear OS
Now that Google's acquisition of Fitbit is official, the question is what the search giant will do with it. When the news broke on Friday, Google's Rick Osterloh said the company sees the deal as an "opportunity to invest even more in Wear OS, as well as introduce Made by Google wearable devices." For the time being, then, it looks like Google plans to leverage Fitbit's expertise to another push into wearables.
Google buys Fitbit for $2.1 billion
Fitbit is to be acquired by Google in an all-cash deal worth around $2.1 billion, the two companies announced today. The company will be folded in to the search giant, forming part of its hardware team, making a new generation of wearables. Judging from the statements made by Fitbit CEO James Park (pictured) and Google's hardware chief Rick Osterloh, future Fitbit devices will run Wear OS.
Google buying Fitbit is good for Google, bad for wearables
If it happens -- and that's already a big if -- it's not going to be good for consumers, is it? Yesterday, shortly before Alphabet's Q3 earnings call, news hit that Google's parent company is considering buying Fitbit. The biggest independent wearables company is a prime target for the search giant, and it's likely to be available for a decent price. Fitbit's business is clearly weak, with Apple and Xiaomi respectively eating away at its high- and low-end markets.
Alphabet is reportedly interested in buying Fitbit
Fitbit is apparently quite serious about exploring a sale. Reuters sources said Alphabet has "made an offer" to buy Fitbit for an as yet undetermined amount. The insiders warned there was no guarantee the talks would lead to a deal, but the indication of interest is still huge by itself. We've reached out to Alphabet and Fitbit for comment, although they declined to comment to Reuters.
Fitbit is reportedly in the early stages of exploring a sale
Fitbit might be ready to cede some control of its destiny. Reuters sources said the company is talking to investment bank Qatalyst Partners about the possibility of shopping itself around to would-be acquirers. Qatalyst has reportedly been pressing Fitbit to consider the option for weeks, suggesting that Alphabet and private equity outfits might be interested if it did. A move is far from certain, but it's notable that a selloff is even on the table.
Fitbit Versa 2 review: A good, but unreliable fitness watch
Hell is sitting in a hot yoga class waiting for your Fitbit to sync. It was my fourth day of reviewing the new Versa 2, and I'd been having connectivity issues since the day after I received it. The watch refused to sync with my phone after initially pairing with no issue. I wasn't surprised -- this has happened with pretty much every one of the many Fitbits I've reviewed in the past. But that makes it all the more frustrating. I'm not the only reviewer with this issue either, and I haven't had major connectivity troubles with any other wearable I've tested. Samsung watches in particular connect quickly to my Android phones, as do most Wear OS devices.
Tell us who the Fitbit Versa Lite is good for
When reviews editor Cherlynn Low spent some time with the pared down Versa Lite smartwatch back in April, she was pleased by its comfortable fit, four-day battery life and capable tracking. But she still couldn't recommend it, as the regular Versa offers WiFi, an altimeter and a gyroscope for only $40 more. This disparity earned the Versa Lite a fair but unimpressive score of 72, compared to the Versa's much better 83.
