Fitbit Versa

2020: Blood oxygen monitoring function activation

In the middle of January, 2020 Fitbit activated blood oxygen monitoring function on the wearable models Versa, Versa Lite, Versa 2, Ionic and Charge 3. Though Apple still retains the highest share of sales in the market of the smartwatch, Fitbit overtook the leader, having built in a new feature the products earlier, than it appeared in Apple Watch.

Fitbit activated blood oxygen monitoring function on the wearable models Versa, Versa Lite, Versa 2, Ionic and Charge 3

According to the Tizenhelp edition, users of Fitbit in the USA in January, 2020 began to obtain data on blood saturation by oxygen. Sensors pulseoxymeters on the back panel of the device allow users to estimate independently variability of saturation of blood oxygen. The application of Fitbit reflects the diagram of saturation by oxygen, and in notes it is specified that slight fluctuations of this indicator are absolutely normal and it is necessary to pay attention only to sharp jumps. This information can be useful to breath assessment at night as the tracker is capable to register sharp slowdowns of oxygen owing to an obstructive apnoe in a dream. Besides, the new feature is useful to athletes and climbers.

Apple owns several patents for monitoring of level of oxygen in blood, but does not activate this function on the wearable devices yet. However, and Fitbit not the first researcher on this field — in 2018 provided to Garmin Pulse Ox with the tracker of activity Vivosmart 4 which allows users to measure the blood saturation level by oxygen during physical activity and periodically during sleep. And in 2019 the French company in the field of technologies of health care of Withings provided the new ScanWatch smartwatch which also has similar opportunities of monitoring of oxygen of blood. However products of Withings are still checked by regulatory bodies, and the company does not hurry to announce date of start of sales.^[1]

2019: Announcement of Fitbit Versa

At the end of August, 2019 Fitbit provided the second generation of the wrist computerized watch of Versa. In the market this first such device with the built-in voice assistant to Amazon Alexa  using whom it is possible to activate a certain mode of trainings, to check the schedule, to manage the "smart" house or to respond to text messages at synchronization with Android smartphone.

Can work with Fitbit Versa 2 without recharge up to 5 days. For comparison, Apple Watch is supported up to 2 days of independent operation in the mode of normal operation. The Versa 2 model (an output necessary information on the blocked AMOLED screen) works in the Always On Display mode more than two days.

Smart awakening and control of oxygen in the blood. How did Fitbit compete with Apple Watch

Smartwatch has the protected body which allows to plunge on water depth up to 50 meters. Fitbit Versa 2, as well as the previous model, was left without the built-in module GPS therefore to count quantity of the taken steps, hours should be integrated to the smartphone.

The gadget received the sensor of measurement of heart rate working constantly (the PurePulse function allows to define a warm rhythm with a bigger accuracy during certain exercises, such as driving the bicycle and run), the NFC module and the built-in application of music service Spotify.

Function of "smart" awakening on the basis of machine learning which activates the alarm clock in time, optimal for the person, is provided in the smartwatch. Also It should be noted the sensor for oxygen level assessment in blood.

Sales of Fitbit Versa 2  will begin on September 15, 2019 at the price of $199. The special version with an additional fabric thong can be purchased for $229.

Also the producer started Fitbit Premium service which provides to users the personalized trainings, including status reports on health, a training and a possibility of the deep analysis of a dream. The cost of a subscription to Fitbit Premium is $10 a month, the service will earn in September, 2019.^[2]

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