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Fitbit launches Versa 2 with Amazon Alexa, announces new subscription service
Thu, 29th Aug 2019
FYI, this story is more than a year old

Fitbit has announced the launch of Fitbit Versa 2.

Versa 2 delivers a new swimproof design, includes sleep features like Sleep Score and smart wake, and is packed with more advanced health, fitness and smart features.

Versa 2 debuts an on-device microphone, which enables Fitbit's first-ever Alexa smartwatch experience, along with a Spotify app that allows users to control their music and podcasts, and Fitbit Pay on all models.

Coupled with faster performance, thousands of apps and clock faces and a brighter, crisper display with an optional always-on mode, the Versa 2 is a 2/47 health and wellness companion – now with more than 5 days battery life at the same price as the Versa.

Fitbit co-founder and CEO James Park says, “Building on the success of our original best- selling Versa smartwatch, we believe the added value and innovation in Versa 2, with new features like Alexa, a Spotify app and advanced in-app and on-device sleep features, will bring more users into the smartwatch category, allowing them to unlock the benefits of better health.

Better sleep for better, more active days

Sleep is critical to maintaining overall health and wellness, and when surveyed by Fitbit nearly two- thirds (64%) of participants list sleep as a very important health and fitness priority, but one-third of American adults do not get enough sleep on a regular basis.

Fitbit pioneered wearable sleep tracking more than 10 years ago, making information previously only available from a medical professional widely accessible on the wrist.

Fitbit applied learnings from more than 10.5 billion nights of sleep tracked to innovate in this critical area of health, and the latest sleep features aim to help users understand and improve their sleep.

  • Estimated Oxygen Variation Graph: Available in the Fitbit app, the graph provides an estimate of the variability of oxygen levels in your bloodstream. The data is derived from a combination of the red and infrared sensors on the back of your device. Being aware of short-term variations in the oxygen levels in your bloodstream may indicate variations in your breathing during sleep.
     
  • Sleep Mode: Simultaneously disable your screen display and silence notifications for a night free of disturbances. Sleep Mode can also be used anytime you don't want to be interrupted, like during a workout or in a meeting.
     
  • Smart wake: Coming soon to all Fitbit smartwatches, smart wake uses machine learning to wake you during an optimal time of your sleep cycle, while in light or REM sleep, based on a pre-selected 30-minute interval, so you wake up feeling more refreshed.
     
  • Sleep Score: Receive a nightly score within the Fitbit® app for better insight into your sleep quality. Your score is based on heart rate (sleeping and resting), restlessness, time awake and Sleep Stages. For more insights and analysis behind your Sleep Score, upgrade to Fitbit Premium.

In addition to helping millions around the world better understand and improve their sleep, Fitbit continues to deliver the health and fitness features that users know and love.

On Versa 2, these include: automatic activity tracking, PurePulse 24/7 heart rate tracking, 15+ goal-based exercise modes, connected GPS and water-resistant up to 50 meters.

Alexa, can you help me get healthier?

Enabled by Fitbit's first on-device microphone, Versa 2 is the first Fitbit smartwatch with Alexa built-in.

Alexa responds to voice commands on Versa 2 with discreet, silent on-screen text responses.

With a press of a button, speak into the microphone to use Alexa skills on Versa 2.

Alexa can also help with everyday tasks on-the-go, like setting alarms and timers, checking the local weather and news, controlling your smart home devices, and much more through the sound of your voice.

Added convenience and smart features

In addition to Alexa Built-in, Versa 2 comes with more features to add convenience and ease to your day, like Fitbit Pay on all models.

Fitbit is also bringing the Spotify app experience to Versa 2, allowing Spotify Premium subscribers to control music and podcasts from their wrist.

The Spotify app lets users control playback on-the-go, change playlists, like songs, and easily switch music output without skipping a beat.

The ability to control Spotify adds even more music functionality to Fitbit for you to listen to your music

Faster performance

Now packed with more advanced features, Versa 2 is also powered by a faster processor compared to Versa for better performance and seamless navigation.

Plus, a larger AMOLED display delivers a superior experience with boosted viewability and crisper colour and enables an optional always-on display mode which will take battery life down to 2+ days.

Versa 2 Special Edition features a premium jacquard woven band in navy and pink with a copper rose aluminium case or smoke with a mist grey case, plus a contemporary colour-matched classic silicone band in navy and olive, respectively, for two chic styles in one.

All special edition devices will also come with a free three-month trial of the Fitbit Premium membership for an elevated holistic health and fitness experience.

Pricing and availability

Versa 2 is available for presale today from select online retailers for $199.95 (USD) in black with a carbon case, petal with a copper rose aluminium case, and stone with a mist grey case; accessories range from $29.95-$99.95 (USD).

In New Zealand, Versa 2 is available for NZD$359.95, whereas the Special Edition version is available for NZD$399.95 in navy and pink with a copper rose aluminium case and smoke with a mist grey case.

Versa 2 will be available in stores worldwide beginning September 15, 2019. Local availability date to be announced soon and will be available in stores and online. Two exclusive editions -- emerald and plum, both with a copper rose case -- will also be available this fall, only on Fitbit.com and select retailers.

New health and fitness subscription service - Fitbit Premium

Fitbit also announced the launch of Fitbit Premium, a paid subscription service in the Fitbit app that uses users' unique data to deliver Fitbit's most personalised experience yet, with actionable guidance and coaching to help users achieve their health and fitness goals.

Premium leverages insights from more than 10 years of Fitbit data as well as academic and medical expertise to help you move more, sleep better and eat well with customised programs, advanced sleep features, personal insights, hundreds of workouts, new challenges, health reports and more – all in one place.

At launch, Premium includes nine guided health and fitness programs that help you get more sleep,

Pricing and availability

Fitbit Premium will be available this fall starting at $16.99 (NZD) a month or $139.99 a year (NZD) Fitbit will be exploring promotional pricing and product bundle offers and will continue to expand upon and refine Premium based on customer feedback.

Premium will be available in English in 17 countries via the Fitbit app this fall, expanding to additional languages in 2020, including Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Spanish.

All Fitbit users will be eligible for a one-week free trial, and Fitbit Versa 2 Special Edition owners will receive a 90-day free trial.

Premium will also be available to Fitbit Health Solutions enterprise customers through Fitbit Care, both as an a-la-carte offering, and included within the Health Coaching offering as a digital intervention to support wellness and prevention, and management of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.