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Wearables & Gadgets

Fitbit announces $200 Charge 2 and $130 Flex 2, available to pre-order in Canada starting today

Fitbit has just refreshed its fitness wearable lineup with new devices.

The Charge 2, priced at $199.95 in Canada, represents, a streamlining of Fitbit’s wearable lineup. In contrast to the original Charge and, there’s just one model now, and it comes with the company’s PurePulse heart rate tracking technology built-in, no need to pay extra for to get the HR model.

Besides the built-in heart rate tracker, the Charge 2 features a display that is four times larger than the one found on its predecessor. The main story here, however, is the enhancements Fitbit has made to its software.

Fitbit-Flex-2_Family-1

For instance, using data collected by the Charge 2, the updated Fitbit app is able to provide a snapshot of the user’s current cardio fitness level. It does this by estimating peak oxygen uptake — otherwise known as V02 max, a stat that’s considered the single best measure of a person’s cardiovascular health. The app will then provide feedback on how to improve this metric over time by suggesting changes to one’s cardio routine.

The Charge 2 is also capable of helping users develop a meditation practice with a new feature called ‘Relax.’ After picking between a two-minute and five-minute exercise, the Charge 2 examines the user’s heart rate to recommend a personalized breathing rate, which it helps the user achieve by showing visual cues.

Other new features include a connected GPS mode, which allows the Charge 2 to pull GPS data from the user’s smartphone, and a new interval mode, which users can use to track circuit training. Returning features include automatic multi-sport tracking, sleep tracking and activity reminders.

Fitbit Flex 2_Family

Fitbit has also refreshed its Flex wearable. Priced at $129.95 in Canada, the Flex 2 is 30 percent smaller than its predecessor and features a number of interchangeable bands, with several coming from notable designers like Tory Burch. It’s also Fitbit’s first wearable aimed at swimmers, with the ability to resist water up to a depth of 50 metres, and automatically track swimming exercises. The company has also reworked how the Flex’s display works. It now displays information using a colour coded system.

Both the Charge 2 and Flex 2 are available to pre-order starting today on the Fitbit website. Tomorrow, major retailers across the country, including Best Buy, Indigo, London Drugs and The Source will also open pre-orders. Fitbit says it expects the two wearables to be widely available in Canada in September and October.

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