On Monday, Samsung revealed its new Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone, along with a trio of smart devices, the Gear Fit, Gear 2 and the Gear Neo, reports the New York Times.
Samsung’s new slew of watches seem to be made with the sporty individual – with a penchant for simplicity – in mind. And though I haven’t gotten my hands on Samsung’s debuted devices yet, the Gear Fit in particular is shaking up the scene and appears to be the athlete’s dream smart device.
And considering that Boston has athletes in plenty – not to mention our own strong scene for fitness tech – it wouldn’t be surprising to see a fellow Bostonians jogging down by the Charles River with a new Gear Fit sparkling on their wrists.
The Gear Fit offers a number of significant features that up the wearable game, according to CNET. Part fitness band part smartwatch, the Gear Fit is a sleek hybrid device designed to be a jock’s best friend. It boasts a heart rate monitor on the back, as well an accelerometer and a gyroscope. You can also control music and check out playlists and receive notifications. Basically, the device can track your every move while keeping you connected, enhancing your workout experience to help you become your best quantified, fitness-loving self.
It's important to note, however, that the Gear Fit at the moment doesn't support iPhone or other smartphones, which definitely doesn't work in its favor.
In light of the recent, major recall of FitBit Force, the market for fitness-forward tech might be ripe for the taking. Both of Samsung Gear Fit’s biggest competitors at the moment, Pebble and FitBit, have some roots of sorts in Boston. The former got a headstart in wearable with help from hardware consultancy Dragon Innovation; the latter quietly opened up an engineering office in the Hub over the summer.
How involved other members of Boston’s fitness faction will become with the new wearable is clearly still up in the air – Samsung has yet to even put a price on the GearFit – but it’s worth exploring.
Boston company RunKeeper integrated with popular fitness and diet app MyFitnessPal last summer. Not to mention that, in September, the app was the first to integrate with Samsung’s smartwatch-of-the-moment, the Galaxy Gear S4. We also mentioned in the BostInno Beat that the company is out raising funding. Also noteworthy is local weight-loss tracking app LoseIt!'s traction and success. The app has garnered over 17 million users that have lost an impressive 28 million pounds. (More on this in the Beat.)
Wearables are hot and the fitness space is getting crowded; it’s not a far cry to think that Boston companies will be involved in this next wave of tech.
Image via Busines Insider
