Fitbit’s Sense Smartwatch can Help you Manage Stress

Fitbit has debuted two new smartwatches, the Sense and the Versa 3, to be released in the US in September. At $329, the Sense is the flagship option and is the most capable Fitbit wearable.

At $229, the Versa 3 succeeds the Versa 2. The preordering for these two watches has begun through Fitbit’s site.

The two watches look similar, but the Sense has a few more advanced health tracking features. It has detailed heart rate scans with atrial fibrillation (afib) detection via the electrocardiogram (EKG) app built into the watch. 

It’s on par with Apple and Samsung’s recent smartwatches in that way.  However, the EKG capability in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is not yet available in the US.

The Sense stands out with its stress detection features. It pitches itself as something that’s crucially needed, especially in today’s increasingly stressful world. 

To take a reading, you hold your palm over the screen and start to breathe. It will measure your heart rate, and uniquely, your skin’s temperature will be collected with its electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor. 

For example, if your skin feels hot, chilled, or clammy, the Sense can help you check on your stress level. The app will score you on your stress level, with a higher score being better than a lower one.

Fitbit’s Versa 32

Sense and Versa 3 share many of the same smartwatch features, the EKG and EDA functions aside. Both have built-in GPS, OLED touchscreens, water-resistance up to 50 meters, and at least six days of battery life. They both also have a new snap-on magnetic charging mechanism.

Both also support Fitbit Pay for contactless payments. You’ll be able to respond to texts and answer calls using the smartwatch, with your Android phone kept nearby.

As for the less expensive Versa 3, it seems to address a few of the pain points of the Versa 2. The makers have simplified its strap mechanisms. They can be detached when you push a button on the back of the device. 

Fitbit is adding Google Assistant to the mix along with Alexa support for voice queries. It won’t arrive until winter 2020, though. 

Voice assistants weren’t very handy or elegant to use with the previous-generation Versa. There was no built-in speaker to play their voices through. This new model comes with a speaker that can do that. Also, as mentioned earlier, you can take voice calls through the Versa 3 when your Android phone is near.

The $99 Inspire 2 fitness tracker is the last of Fitbit’s announcements. It’s comparatively basic to the above two devices.

This new iteration features a refined design, with a touch panel in place of the Inspire HR’s side button. It also features a 10-day battery life, twice as long as the prior model.

Moreover, it comes with a full year of Fitbit Premium with the purchase. The other two devices include six-month Premium trials.

This $99 Inspire seems like a good price for a discreet, water-resistant device that can track your activity and sleep. Furthermore, it can monitor your heart rate and transfer your phone’s notifications to your wrist.