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Fitbit update detects exercise automatically

Lauren Kate Rawlins
By Lauren Kate Rawlins, ITWeb digital and innovation contributor.
Johannesburg, 25 Nov 2015
The Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge will automatically track common exercises like biking, running, and other sports.
The Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge will automatically track common exercises like biking, running, and other sports.

Fitness-tracking company Fitbit is releasing a software update to its flagship wearables which it claims makes exercise tracking smarter and easier.

The Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge will automatically track common exercises such as biking, hiking, running, aerobic workouts such as Zumba and sports including basketball, soccer and tennis. This will be done through automatic exercise recognition software, SmartTrack.

Other updates will include enhancements to PurePulse heart rate tracking and a goal tracking update to the Fitbit app.

"Our users find exercise in all parts of their day, including activities like short walks with the dog or a bike commute to work. These new features allow them to focus on their exercise, giving them credit for their most active moments and letting the technology do the work to automatically track progress toward their fitness goals," says Tim Roberts, VP, Interactive at Fitbit.

SmartTrack automatically recognises continuous movement. It identifies the type of activity and records it in the Fitbit app along with an exercise summary, including duration, calories burned and heart rate stats.

Fitbit's PurePulse heart rate technology has been updated to provide users with a better heart rate tracking experience. The update provides users with continuous, automatic wrist-based heart rate tracking - without the need for a chest strap.

The SmartTrack and PurePulse software updates are free and available globally to all Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge users. Exercise Goals is available to all users with the iOS or Windows Fitbit app, Android is coming soon.

Fitbit also faces rising competition from devices made by Apple, Jawbone, Misfit and Garmin.

However, the potential is huge. About 126 million wearable devices are expected to be shipped in 2019, representing nearly $28 billion in revenue, according to IDC. In 2014, about 20 million units were shipped.

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