Samsung is treating wristband lovers everywhere with the announcement of the Gear Fit 2, which is sure to gain the attention of those looking for a fitness tracker that provides the high-tech feeling of a smartwatch.
A follow-up to the original Gear Fit that debuted in 2014, the new wristband sports several upgrades, including a new design and a built-in GPS. It can also automatically recognize certain activities, an ability that assures users that their activities are being tracked even if they don't play around with the gadget first.
Samsung has also given the Gear Fit 2 more flexibility than its predecessor in order to support its 1.5-inch, super AMOLED display, which the company notes is twice as wide as the original's screen. While the display is horizontal, users won't have to turn their wrists to look at it because it will show data vertically.
The Gear Fit 2 uses its GPS sensors to track the amount of steps taken, sleep, calories burned, heart rate, activities and other common health factors that fitness bands monitor. Users will be able see the routes that they took while running or cycling, as well as notifications from their smartphones.
Samsung also says that users will be able to instantly share their workouts on Facebook, as well as download music to the gadget and listen to it while they work out.
In addition, the tech giant added an app to the Gear Fit 2 through a partnership with Spotify, and the app gives users more options for music with playlists made by athletes. However, users will need a Wi-Fi connection or pair the band with a phone for the app.
Other Gear Fit 2 features include a Samsung 1GHz Exynos 3250 chipset, 512MB RAM and 4GB of internal storage. The 200 mAh battery gives the device three to four days of life on a single charge, and the fitness tracker is rated IP68 water and dust resistant, which means that it can be submerged up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
The Gear Fit 2 costs $179, and Samsung is making the device available for preorder on June 3 and will begin shipping on June 10.
