Fitbit smartwatch renders show why the device might be a "must-own" for certain people

Back on August 10th, we showed you leaked renders of the new Fitbit smartwatch. Fitbit needs to hit a grand slam with this product, especially after its share of the global wearables market has declined 45% year-over-year. A new report published today reveals that Fitbit just might have something up its sleeve that will make its smartwatch a "must-own" product for those who are ill and need to track certain readings produced by their body.

The leaked image shows that Fitbit will be using two red LED sensors on the back of its timepiece. That compares with the use of two green sensors on the Fitbit Blaze fitness tracker. Okay, the Blaze uses green lights and the smartwatch will use red lights. Why should you care? Well, there is a big reason why this should matter to you. Red lights have a tendency to penetrate tissues better allowing the sensors to obtain certain metrics that it couldn't read before. This includes blood oxygen levels, which are measured in hospitals using the pulse oximeters that are clipped on a finger. The red lights also help to provide more accurate readings.

The Fitbit smartwatch is rumored to carry a $300 price tag and will run for as many as four days without needing a charge. It is expected to come with GPS, a heart rate monitor, the ability to make mobile payments, and stream music offline from Pandora. The device will be equipped with a very bright color screen, and should be available for purchase this coming holiday season. If you have a certain disease that needs constant monitoring, the Fitbit smartwatch might be the best present that you can buy for yourself this year.


source: MSPoweruser