Fitness-band maker Fitbit adds meditation apps to its range

SAN FRANCISCO — Fitbit, the world’s biggest seller of activity trackers, has stepped up its efforts in wearable technology with a new range of fitness bands, including one that helps users meditate.

As the world’s top tech companies prepare to descend on Europe’s biggest tech show, Fitbit unveiled two successors to its best-selling Charge and Flex activity trackers, which can measure steps, heart rate and sleep quality.

The devices, which come with new features such as the ability to estimate fitness levels and meditate, pre-empt a flurry of new smartwatches due to be unveiled by Samsung, Huawei and Motorola at this week’s IFA tech show in Berlin. Apple is also expected to unveil a more powerful Apple Watch in the coming weeks.

Fitbit commands around a quarter of the wearables market and hopes it can maintain its lead against the likes of Apple and Samsung.

The Charge 2, a US$149.95 (S$204.40) upgrade to its most popular activity tracker, taps into the growing trend for meditation apps with a “guided breathing” relaxation feature. It also has a much larger display that can show texts and incoming calls from a paired smartphone.

“We’ve gone way beyond just steps into being a more comprehensive tracking product,” said Mr Woody Scal, Fitbit’s chief business officer, was quoted as saying in the 
Financial Times.

The new Flex, costing US$99, is almost a third slimmer than its predecessor, with smaller components such as batteries and motion sensors. Five lights on the wristband indicate progress towards a daily step goal, as well as phone alerts. It can also track sleep quality. Agencies