FitBit Surge announced

[Shabbis]

Anyone else excited for the FitBit Surge?

I really want the Apple Sport Watch, but with no independent GPS, it means I have to bring my iPhone 6 Plus with me on runs. The only thing the Surge is missing at this point is local storage for music.

All I want is a smartwatch that can track my runs/rides via GPS, store about two hours worth of music and integrate with bluetooth headphones. When I am done I can upload it to my phone and have it sync with the Health app. Although I do wonder how well such a small device will be at maintaining a GPS signal, maybe the antenna is in the wristband?

 

[leenak]

I like the look of the surge and I'm amazed they can get GPS and 7 days of battery life. It is a shame that they won't integrate with Apple healthkit but definitely something to consider. I may have to reconsider my Basis Peak pre-order.

 

[Julien]

I like the look of the surge and I'm amazed they can get GPS and 7 days of battery life. It is a shame that they won't integrate with Apple healthkit but definitely something to consider. I may have to reconsider my Basis Peak pre-order.

It's more like GPS or long battery life. My Garmin 620 is rated for up to 6 weeks but when recording using GPS connected to my iPhone by BT it's only about 5 hours.

I personally would stick with the Basis Peak. It has more potential features and I even like the look better.

FiBit seems to be going antiApple which may not be a good strategy. At least it didn't work so well for RIM.

 

[leenak]

It's more like GPS or long battery life. My Garmin 620 is rated for up to 6 weeks but when recording using GPS connected to my iPhone by BT it's only about 5 hours.

I personally would stick with the Basis Peak. It has more potential features and I even like the look better.

FiBit seems to be going antiApple which may not be a good strategy. At least it didn't work so well for RIM.

Oh yeah, I had one of the earlier Garmins and I really only used it for running because the battery would fizzle quickly. I think I am going to stick with the Basis as it comes out in a week or so and the Surge is in a few months.

 

[Julien]

Oh yeah, I had one of the earlier Garmins and I really only used it for running because the battery would fizzle quickly. I think I am going to stick with the Basis as it comes out in a week or so and the Surge is in a few months.

The Basis Peak may suffer a little bit on buggy firmware at first but I bet Intel will get it ironed out quickly and it will be a better overall choice than the Surge.

 

[kerrikins]

Well, now we know why they didn't want to hook into Healthkit...

 

[Julien]

Well, now we know why they didn't want to hook into Healthkit...

Sill think it is a shortsighted selfish reason. FitBit has a huge loyal following and not allowing HealthKit is alienating some of her customer base. Supporting HealthKit should be seen and promoted as a selling point for fitBit products. I see it hurting them more in the long run.

 

[kerrikins]

Sill think it is a shortsighted selfish reason. FitBit has a huge loyal following and not allowing HealthKit is alienating some of her customer base. Supporting HealthKit should be seen and promoted as a selling point for fitBit products. I see it hurting them more in the long run.

Yup, I agree. They're worried about losing people who will move from Fitbit to the Apple Watch or even just carrying an iPhone, but the thing is, they're more likely to lose customers if they don't let their own program link with others. I think if most people have to choose between having something that doesn't link with others or a product that does, they'll pick the latter...

 

[gorkt]

I have been a loyal Fitbit user for two years, and I am disappointed that they have decided not to work with Apple. I think it signals the companies inevitable demise. I will 99% chance be ditching my fitbit one for an Apple sport watch when it comes to market. They would have been better off making a premium pay app that Apple watch users could buy.

 

[matrix07]

It's nice but for future-proof I wouldn't buy it because it will not work with Health Kit.

 

[jason.siegel]

I imagine the Fitbit Surge doing very well, because Fitbit is going after the fitness crowd with it. Pebble is for people who want battery life and visibility; Apple Watch is for people who want a mini iPad; Surge is for athletes.