Consumer Desire for Fitness, Better Sleep Drive Smartwatch Improvement

Google’s Fitbit has announced that its two new smartwatches available for pre-order are designed to feel at home on the wearer’s body, 24/7.

Both the Versa 4 and the Sense 2 track several health-related metrics, are powered by the new Fitbit OS and include a six-month Premium membership, according to a Wednesday (Aug. 24) press release.

“We’ve changed the entire design and made it our thinnest series of smartwatches yet,” Fitbit says in the release. “We have also moved the band attachment so the device fits more comfortably on your wrist and added the button back, with an improved location for easier access during workouts.”

Both of the new smartwatches track heart rate, activity, sleep, stress and other metrics, but the Versa 4 is focused on fitness, while Sense 2 is aimed at improving sleep quality and managing stress, according to the press release.

As PYMNTS reported in September 2021, major players have been putting big money and planning behind wearables for healthier living, expanding on the workout widgets that arguably attract the most consumer attention.

Read more: Health Monitoring Puts the ‘H’ in Smartwatch as Wearables Boost Their Utility

Pandemic fears drove adoption of all touchless tech, including wearables, and these devices are becoming more and more utilitarian, PYMNTS reported at the time.

In June, PYMNTS reported that Apple’s forthcoming watchOS 9 will drive deeper into healthcare applications.

See also: Apple’s watchOS 9 Moves Deeper Into Health Monitoring

In a June 6 event, Apple COO Jeff Williams said, “This fall, watchOS 9 takes the Apple Watch experience to the next level with scientifically validated insights across fitness, sleep and heart health.”

As PYMNTS said at the time, consumers see wearable less as trendy digital jewelry and more as personal assistants that make their lives — including their health and fitness routines — more manageable.