Every day, we are told to walk more, watch what we eat, and exercise. As a result, some of us must keep track. Fitness wearables have been around since 2003.
However, as more people began to exercise, competition increased, and three brands have made a name for themselves in the field of fitness smartwatches.
Apple, Fitbit, and Garmin all have different histories, but they all want to be your fitness tracker. So, in this article, we'll take a look at these wearable fitness brands.
The Apple Watch is taking over the world. Every new Apple product has detractors, and the Apple Watch was no exception. However, some of the arguments were sound.
For example, when it was released in 2015, Tag Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver stated: "Can it be repaired in 80 years? No, because it is no longer functional." However, the future was not Apple's goal. It was instead the present.
So, while many people were excited about the concept, its execution was not flawless. First and foremost, it was not cheap. The prices ranged from $350 to $550, with a $10,000 special edition.
Of course, this one did not sell well. Some apps were also slow, and notifications frequently failed. As a result, users reported missing messages and emails. Nonetheless, iOS fans adored the watch, as evidenced by the statistics.
The first quarter of the Apple Watch's release accounted for 75% of global smartwatch sales. It established the benchmark for smart watches and watches in general.
The Apple Watch has outsold the entire Swiss watchmaking industry in just five years. But take note that we haven't mentioned fitness. That's because the Apple Watch didn't set out to be one.
Apple desired a large market share. Still, that's not to say they were behind in this area, as their fitness tracking was among the best and easiest to use. Others, on the other hand, wished to challenge its dominance.
The military brat who took on Apple Gary Burrell and Min Kao founded Garmin, which was originally known as ProNav. Both had backgrounds in military electronics, particularly radio and avionics. Burrett and Kao believed that GPS had numerous applications outside of the military.
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So, after raising $4 million, they quit their jobs and established ProNav in 1986. ProNav primarily focused on GPS applications in fields ranging from boating to aviation, rescue, and construction.
As a result, the company did exceptionally well in these niche markets. The founders noticed that wearables were becoming increasingly popular after rebranding to Garmin, a contraction of both their names.
So, in 2003, Garmin released the Forerunner, which allowed users to track key fitness metrics such as heart rate, distance, and calories. Yes, it was large and had a limited battery life. However, it was one of the first devices aimed specifically at athletes.
Triathletes and long-distance runners adored the devices because of their cutting-edge GPS technology. Smartwatches were the logical next step. Their goal, however, was not only to cater to athletic needs, but also to provide everyday tools such as emails, texting, and so on.
Garmin releases new products every two years, always improving and adding new features. You can now find them with Spotify, Bluetooth, and contactless payment. So, while the Apple Watch was aimed at the general public, Garmin designed rugged products for outdoor enthusiasts. However, one small company wished to target ordinary people who enjoyed physical activity.
Fitbit, a young, small but determined fitness company, is a classic underdog story. When the company was founded in 2007, founders James Park and Eric Friedman had little to show for their efforts to persuade investors.
Their concept was a small device that displayed the user's steps, calories, and distance. However, their model consisted of a wooden box and some circuitry. However, they believed in their brand, which is where brand management comes in.
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They hoped for 50 preorders in an early sales pitch and ended up with 2,000. However, neither founder had any manufacturing experience. As a result, the company initially struggled to develop an efficient manufacturing process. According to Friedman and Park, Fitbit nearly went out of business seven times. The first Fitbit was rudimentary.
It was a clip-on that you wore around your collar or on your pants. However, this was cutting-edge technology at the time, and people adored it. They had 25,000 orders in 2009, with more on the way. Fitbit added a strap and a digital clock two years later.
There was even phone service, but there was no messaging or email. Fitbit was obsessed with a single goal: health. Their heartbeat monitors were so effective that they were featured in Mayo Clinic medical studies.
Furthermore, both founders were obsessed with data: the more, the better. Fitbit even intended to use it in diagnosis and treatment. However, because of this obsession, their products were too basic to be called smartwatches.
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Fitbit failed to adapt quickly enough when the Apple Watch hit the market. The Fitbit Blaze, the company's first smartwatch, was released in late 2016, almost two years later. Some sales occurred. However, as they launched their smartwatch, their fitness product sales fell.
The issue was that the Blaze couldn't compete with the Apple Watch. While Apple dominated, Fitbit ranked third or fourth in sales. This is where Google comes in. The company wanted to get into the wearables market and paid $2.1 billion for Fitbit.
Fitbit had some advantages, such as sleep tracking, which Apple did not introduce until 2020. However, the move proved risky. As time passes, the market becomes more competitive. Since its release, the Apple Watch has consistently ranked first in sales. Meanwhile, Garmin and Fitbit have struggled to make headway.
Is this to say that the Apple Watch is the best?
That is entirely up to you to tell us. So, what do you think is the best watch brand?
I've had this Apple Watch Series 0 for quite some time. I'm pushing the limits of how long it can last. It is already too slow for most applications. I'm not ready to invest in these high-end brand watches.
That does not seem to fit my personality. It's not as if no one buys the competing brands. Garmin, for example, had a good year in 2020, finishing third in global sales.
Meanwhile, Fitbit had its best year in 2018, finishing third in sales. Despite the excitement surrounding Fitbit's new Versa smartwatch, Google's acquisition did not benefit Fitbit.
It dropped from third place in Q3 2019 to fifth place by Q1 2020, eventually climbing to fourth place in late 2020. Nonetheless, the competition is becoming more difficult by the day.
First and foremost, behemoths such as Samsung remain powerful. However, other companies, such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Titan, and even Fossil, are also rushing to enter the market.
Let's get into some squabbles. They're just smartwatches, but they're still contentious, and some of them revolve around the very health tracking they promote. After all, this is your health information. Are you willing to share your medical information with all of these companies?
The Apple Watch first introduced an electrocardiogram feature in 2018, which sounds fantastic. However, medical professionals cautioned users not to blindly trust the watch because average users may not comprehend the results.
This feature increased the possibility of a misdiagnosis. Then there's Fitbit's obsession with data. When Google announced the acquisition, the company was also facing backlash over privacy concerns.
As a result, many users threw away their Fitbits because they didn't want to be a part of Google's privacy issues, particularly with regard to health. Wearables pose a conundrum.
According to one study, 89 percent of users wear it all the time. Customers may not like the idea of wearing them around the clock as more companies face data scrutiny.
Aside from privacy concerns, there are constant reminders to exercise, walk more, and maintain good health. This may be great for some, but it may cause anxiety and stress for others.
Why is the Apple Watch Series 6 superior to the others?
Resolution:
Resolution is an important indicator of a screen's image quality because it represents the maximum number of pixels that can be displayed on the screen. The resolution is specified as a composite value made up of horizontal and vertical pixels.
368 x 448 vs. 300 x 300, 280 x 280.
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Size of the screen:
The larger the screen, the better the user experience.
1.78"vs1.3,1.4".
Bluetooth version:
Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that uses short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves to transfer data between devices in close proximity. Data transfers are faster in newer versions. 5 vs 4,4.
Thickness:
A thinner chassis is preferable because it makes the product more compact and portable. Thinness is a feature emphasized by many mobile device manufacturers, but it is essential for a wide range of products.
10.4mmvs12,14.9mm.
Wireless charging is supported:
It supports a wireless charging standard such as Qi. Simply place the device on a compatible charging pad to charge it.
Has ECG technology:
ECG stands for electrocardiogram and measures the electrical activity of the heartbeat, providing a more comprehensive picture of heart health than blood pressure alone. Please keep in mind that this feature may not be available in all markets.
Pixel density:
Pixel density is a screen resolution measurement expressed as the number of pixels per inch (PPI) on the screen. A higher pixel density results in more clarity and sharpness for the images rendered on the screen, improving the viewing experience. 326 ppi vs 304,282 ppi.
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Has a cellular module: Cellular devices can communicate with mobile networks. Cellular networks have significantly greater signal coverage than Wi-Fi.
Finally, a smartwatch can be an excellent tool for those interested in fitness and exercise. Even in terms of productivity. It can, however, be another way for us to stay connected even when we don't want to. What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments.
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