Smart, smarter, the smartest: Fitbit Charge
According to estimates, Futuresource Consulting in 2014 will sell about 54 million wearable devices, which include smart watches, glasses, fitness trackers and similar gadgets. Wearable electronics are far from telephones, but the market is developing: in the period from July to September, the demand for such equipment grew by 40% compared with the third quarter of last year.
A few years ago, the idea of ​​smart gadgets that track the physical condition and movement of its owner, transmitting information about it to the world wide web and interacting with other electronics, found its expression only in the minds of science fiction and multipliers.
Today, the "fairy tale" has become a reality. The wearable electronics market leaders are fitness trackers. And leaders among manufacturers are Fitbit, Jawbone, Garmin, Polar and others.
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Last year, two market leaders, Fitbit and Jawbone, presented their updated models. These were Fitbit Force and Jawbone UP24. Model Force immediately became a favorite among competitors due to the convenience of design and pedometer, which is considered one of the most accurate on the market. However, some users began to receive complaints of allergies caused by Fitbit Force nickel inserts. Therefore, the model was promptly withdrawn from sale in the spring of 2014 and six months later, in November, after “working on the bugs”, they released an updated line of bracelets, which consists of Charge models, Charge HR (version with heart rate monitor) and Surge (smart watches with fitness tracker, the model is equipped with a gps tracker).
We decided to dwell on the Fitbit Charge as on the most popular model of the Fitbit line for December 2014.
Fitbit Charge differs from its competitors restrained design and classic colors, so it can fit almost any style of clothing. Fitness tracker is available in four colors - Black, Slate, Blue, Burgundi.
FitBit Charge, like the previous version of Fitbit Force, is very ergonomic: the strap is made of soft material, fits well, takes the shape of a hand. The clasp of a model with unaccustomed may even seem tight, but during active training it will be only a plus. Not all fitness trackers have a clasp. In some modern trackers, for example, in Jawbone UP24, it is missing: the bracelet seems to clasp the arm, but the ends of it remain free, so they can catch on the clothes, causing inconvenience to their owner.
A small monochrome OLED screen is placed on the front of the Charge; you can turn it on by pressing a button in the left side. The screen displays the time and date, as well as achievements - the number of steps, calories burned, floors traveled by stairs. Using a smartphone, you can customize what achievements will be shown and in what sequence. Another important purpose of the screen is that when synchronizing with a smartphone, it will show who is calling you. Alerts to achievements and calls occur through vibration.
For those who want to track the heart rate, Fitbit Charge HR will be more suitable, since this function is not provided in the Charge model.
To get started with FitBit Charge, you need to install the Fitbit application on your smartphone and specify individual parameters (age, weight, etc.) For FitBit, there are applications for Android , iOS or Windows Phone . Users who do not have basic knowledge of the English language may face some difficulties: the interface of the Fitbit application is not translated into Russian. The developers have tried to make the interface as simple and accessible as possible at the conceptual level, so you quickly get used to the application. Many other brands, by contrast, have applications with a Russified interface. For example, UP24 works with Jawbone's UP app for Android and iOS . Unlike other company's fitness trackers, a sufficient number of third-party applications have not yet been developed for Fitbit. However, of course, this is a temporary situation.
Next, we compare the "native" application for Fitbit and applications for Jawbone on Android 4.4.2.
Summary table
Menu
Trainings
We conducted comparative testing of Fitbit Charge and Jawbone UP24 both in the gym and in everyday life. Fitness tracker applications calculate the approximate amount of calories burned, depending on the type of activity entered. According to the test results, it can be said that Fitbit Charge has slightly more steps than Jawbone UP24. That is, Jawbone UP24 proved to be more accurate.
Some application functions may even seem redundant. For example, not every user will write down the diet and evaluate the benefits of eating.
Sleep tracking
For active people who have a busy schedule and value their time, the quality and duration of sleep has always been in the foreground. FitBit recognizes the state of sleep automatically, which is a big plus for developing the most effective sleep and wakefulness mode. At Fitbit Charge, vibration is used for a “gentle” awakening of the wearer. However, he does not have a special function for recognizing the phases of sleep, such as the Jawbone UP24, which allows you to wake a person after the end of the REM sleep phase, so that he feels most awake and sleepy.
The image on the right shows two sleep periods per day in the FitBit application, on the left - a restful sleep with the eyes of UP24.
Third-party applications in the UP menu
A full charge of FitBit Charge is enough for 7-10 days. In general, this is a good result, as some fitness trackers work less. Charging is carried out using the USB cable that comes in the kit, from a power outlet or a computer. There is no information about the battery on the device screen, it can be seen in the smartphone.
Of course, there are more “long-playing” fitness trackers. For example, Jawbone UP24 with the latest firmware version will live up to 14 days without recharging. Such a long period of work, including, is achieved due to the lack of a display.
FitBit Charge has a wide functionality and high quality. The model has tangible benefits: the bracelet has become the benchmark for accuracy among fitness trackers, it fits tightly thanks to a buckle, has a display on which you can see achievements at any time, without reaching for a smartphone, and also see a call alert. Fitbit Charge looks stylish and fits any clothes. It is equipped with an alarm clock and provides information on the quality and quantity of sleep of its owner. The only significant disadvantage of Fitbit Charge is its high price. Based on monthly sales statistics, FitBit Charge fitness trackers are not very popular. This is due to the growth of the dollar and the fact that the product comes to Russia already at new prices. It is worth noting that the Jawbone UP3, the output of which is expected in the coming months, will be more similar to the FitBit Force than its predecessor.
Like all fitness trackers, Fitbit Charge and Jawbone UP24 play a certain social role: thanks to interesting applications that allow you to compare and discuss your daily achievements with friends, they can really affect the discipline of their owner, of course, if you want to change for the better.
Fitbit Charge and Jawbone UP24 are available on our website.
A few years ago, the idea of ​​smart gadgets that track the physical condition and movement of its owner, transmitting information about it to the world wide web and interacting with other electronics, found its expression only in the minds of science fiction and multipliers.
Today, the "fairy tale" has become a reality. The wearable electronics market leaders are fitness trackers. And leaders among manufacturers are Fitbit, Jawbone, Garmin, Polar and others.
')
Last year, two market leaders, Fitbit and Jawbone, presented their updated models. These were Fitbit Force and Jawbone UP24. Model Force immediately became a favorite among competitors due to the convenience of design and pedometer, which is considered one of the most accurate on the market. However, some users began to receive complaints of allergies caused by Fitbit Force nickel inserts. Therefore, the model was promptly withdrawn from sale in the spring of 2014 and six months later, in November, after “working on the bugs”, they released an updated line of bracelets, which consists of Charge models, Charge HR (version with heart rate monitor) and Surge (smart watches with fitness tracker, the model is equipped with a gps tracker).
We decided to dwell on the Fitbit Charge as on the most popular model of the Fitbit line for December 2014.
Design and construction
Fitbit Charge differs from its competitors restrained design and classic colors, so it can fit almost any style of clothing. Fitness tracker is available in four colors - Black, Slate, Blue, Burgundi.
FitBit Charge, like the previous version of Fitbit Force, is very ergonomic: the strap is made of soft material, fits well, takes the shape of a hand. The clasp of a model with unaccustomed may even seem tight, but during active training it will be only a plus. Not all fitness trackers have a clasp. In some modern trackers, for example, in Jawbone UP24, it is missing: the bracelet seems to clasp the arm, but the ends of it remain free, so they can catch on the clothes, causing inconvenience to their owner.
Opportunities
A small monochrome OLED screen is placed on the front of the Charge; you can turn it on by pressing a button in the left side. The screen displays the time and date, as well as achievements - the number of steps, calories burned, floors traveled by stairs. Using a smartphone, you can customize what achievements will be shown and in what sequence. Another important purpose of the screen is that when synchronizing with a smartphone, it will show who is calling you. Alerts to achievements and calls occur through vibration.
For those who want to track the heart rate, Fitbit Charge HR will be more suitable, since this function is not provided in the Charge model.
Applications
To get started with FitBit Charge, you need to install the Fitbit application on your smartphone and specify individual parameters (age, weight, etc.) For FitBit, there are applications for Android , iOS or Windows Phone . Users who do not have basic knowledge of the English language may face some difficulties: the interface of the Fitbit application is not translated into Russian. The developers have tried to make the interface as simple and accessible as possible at the conceptual level, so you quickly get used to the application. Many other brands, by contrast, have applications with a Russified interface. For example, UP24 works with Jawbone's UP app for Android and iOS . Unlike other company's fitness trackers, a sufficient number of third-party applications have not yet been developed for Fitbit. However, of course, this is a temporary situation.
Next, we compare the "native" application for Fitbit and applications for Jawbone on Android 4.4.2.
Summary table
Menu
Trainings
We conducted comparative testing of Fitbit Charge and Jawbone UP24 both in the gym and in everyday life. Fitness tracker applications calculate the approximate amount of calories burned, depending on the type of activity entered. According to the test results, it can be said that Fitbit Charge has slightly more steps than Jawbone UP24. That is, Jawbone UP24 proved to be more accurate.
Some application functions may even seem redundant. For example, not every user will write down the diet and evaluate the benefits of eating.
Sleep tracking
For active people who have a busy schedule and value their time, the quality and duration of sleep has always been in the foreground. FitBit recognizes the state of sleep automatically, which is a big plus for developing the most effective sleep and wakefulness mode. At Fitbit Charge, vibration is used for a “gentle” awakening of the wearer. However, he does not have a special function for recognizing the phases of sleep, such as the Jawbone UP24, which allows you to wake a person after the end of the REM sleep phase, so that he feels most awake and sleepy.
The image on the right shows two sleep periods per day in the FitBit application, on the left - a restful sleep with the eyes of UP24.
Third-party applications in the UP menu
Battery and recharge
A full charge of FitBit Charge is enough for 7-10 days. In general, this is a good result, as some fitness trackers work less. Charging is carried out using the USB cable that comes in the kit, from a power outlet or a computer. There is no information about the battery on the device screen, it can be seen in the smartphone.
Of course, there are more “long-playing” fitness trackers. For example, Jawbone UP24 with the latest firmware version will live up to 14 days without recharging. Such a long period of work, including, is achieved due to the lack of a display.
Let's make a brief comparison of the Fitbit Charge functionality with the most popular Jawbone UP24 2014 fitness tracker.
| Fitbit Charge | Jawbone UP24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | Monochrome | Missing |
| Third Party Applications | Works with some third-party applications. | Works with many applications including MyFitnessPal and Runkeeper , and with third-party devices like Nest Learning Thermostat |
| Pedometer | Counts the distance traveled number of floors and steps | Counts the number of steps |
| Alerts | Calls, achieving goals | Reminds you to warm up and about bedtime |
| Sleep tracker and alarm clock | Tracks sleep phases It wakes strictly at the scheduled time. | Tracks sleep phases wakes up within 30 minutes before scheduled time in the shallow sleep phase |
| Water resistant | Missing. Splash protection is, but you can not swim in the bracelet | Missing. Splash protection is, but you can not swim in the bracelet |
| Battery | 7-10 days | Up to 14 days |
| Price | from 8490 rubles | from 4490 rubles |
Let's sum up
FitBit Charge has a wide functionality and high quality. The model has tangible benefits: the bracelet has become the benchmark for accuracy among fitness trackers, it fits tightly thanks to a buckle, has a display on which you can see achievements at any time, without reaching for a smartphone, and also see a call alert. Fitbit Charge looks stylish and fits any clothes. It is equipped with an alarm clock and provides information on the quality and quantity of sleep of its owner. The only significant disadvantage of Fitbit Charge is its high price. Based on monthly sales statistics, FitBit Charge fitness trackers are not very popular. This is due to the growth of the dollar and the fact that the product comes to Russia already at new prices. It is worth noting that the Jawbone UP3, the output of which is expected in the coming months, will be more similar to the FitBit Force than its predecessor.
Like all fitness trackers, Fitbit Charge and Jawbone UP24 play a certain social role: thanks to interesting applications that allow you to compare and discuss your daily achievements with friends, they can really affect the discipline of their owner, of course, if you want to change for the better.
Fitbit Charge and Jawbone UP24 are available on our website.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/364475/
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