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NEWS
Fitbit breaks into smartwatch market
POSTED 29 Aug 2017 . BY Lauretta Ihonor
Wearable technology giant Fitbit has announced the global launch of its first smartwatch, as it steps up its expansion beyond the activity tracker market.

The Fitbit Iconic will be released in October, along with two new products: Fitbit Flyer – a wireless headphone – and Fitbit Aria 2 – an updated version of Fitbit's smart scale.

The new watch combines the US company’s renowned fitness and sleep tracking software with new features, such as a peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) sensor, which permits estimation of the amount of oxygen in the blood, and swim exercise mode – made possible by the watch’s water resistance in depths of up to 50 metres.

The Iconic will also offer GPS tracking, on-device dynamic workouts and smart features, such as contactless payments and notifications.

Fitbit co-founder and CEO James Park said: “With Ionic, we will deliver what consumers have not yet seen in a smartwatch – a health and fitness first platform that combines the power of personalization and deeper insights with our most advanced technology to date, unlocking opportunities for unprecedented health tracking capabilities in the future.”

It is a move that follows a fall in global sales of Fitbit wearables in Q2 2017. A report by marketing consulting company Strategy Analytics showed that the tech company sold 3.4 million wearable devices in Q2 2017 – a 40 per cent fall from the 5.7 million units sold over the same period in 2016.

Alongside its new releases, Fitbit has also announced an upcoming partnership with Adidas to deliver special edition Fitbit Ionic device and training programmes in 2018 – combining Adidas’ expertise in performance programmes with data gotten from millions of Fitbit users worldwide.

The Fitbit Iconic will retail for $299.95 and is currently available for pre-sale on Fitbit.com.
RELATED STORIES
  Google acquires bulk of smartwatch IP from Fossil – is a fitness watch in the pipeline?


Tech giant Google has bought a bulk of intellectual property from watchmaker Fossil, pouring fuel on rumours that it is working on a flagship smartwatch product.
  Singapore looks to wearable tech for population-based health initiative


The Singapore government is creating a "comprehensive digital health platform" based on the use of wearables, as part of a new nationwide health initiative designed to get Singaporeans more physically active.
  FitBit's new premium model looks to utilise data to provide 'more personalised service'


Wearable tech giant FitBit has launched a premium service which will utilise users' own data in order to provide them with personalised wellness programmes.
  Fitbit adds heart health monitor to its smartwatch – allows users to detect signs of irregularities


Wearable tech giant Fitbit is partnering with FibriCheck, a health screening and monitoring app, to allow users to monitor their heart rhythm for irregularities.
MORE NEWS
Accor reinvents its 1970s Thalassa hotel to launch Bel Hotel Oléron Thalasso and Spa
Bel Hotel Oléron Thalasso and Spa, MGallery Collection has opened on the French island Île d'Oléron off the country’s western coast with a 27-treatment-room spa.
Brain plasticity could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiome
Manipulating the gut microbiome could become a powerful tool for preserving brain health and resilience as people age, according to research led by Professor Paola Tognini, a neuroscientist at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
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23-26 Aug 2026

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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Fitbit breaks into smartwatch market
POSTED 29 Aug 2017 . BY Lauretta Ihonor
Wearable technology giant Fitbit has announced the global launch of its first smartwatch, as it steps up its expansion beyond the activity tracker market.

The Fitbit Iconic will be released in October, along with two new products: Fitbit Flyer – a wireless headphone – and Fitbit Aria 2 – an updated version of Fitbit's smart scale.

The new watch combines the US company’s renowned fitness and sleep tracking software with new features, such as a peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) sensor, which permits estimation of the amount of oxygen in the blood, and swim exercise mode – made possible by the watch’s water resistance in depths of up to 50 metres.

The Iconic will also offer GPS tracking, on-device dynamic workouts and smart features, such as contactless payments and notifications.

Fitbit co-founder and CEO James Park said: “With Ionic, we will deliver what consumers have not yet seen in a smartwatch – a health and fitness first platform that combines the power of personalization and deeper insights with our most advanced technology to date, unlocking opportunities for unprecedented health tracking capabilities in the future.”

It is a move that follows a fall in global sales of Fitbit wearables in Q2 2017. A report by marketing consulting company Strategy Analytics showed that the tech company sold 3.4 million wearable devices in Q2 2017 – a 40 per cent fall from the 5.7 million units sold over the same period in 2016.

Alongside its new releases, Fitbit has also announced an upcoming partnership with Adidas to deliver special edition Fitbit Ionic device and training programmes in 2018 – combining Adidas’ expertise in performance programmes with data gotten from millions of Fitbit users worldwide.

The Fitbit Iconic will retail for $299.95 and is currently available for pre-sale on Fitbit.com.
RELATED STORIES
Google acquires bulk of smartwatch IP from Fossil – is a fitness watch in the pipeline?


Tech giant Google has bought a bulk of intellectual property from watchmaker Fossil, pouring fuel on rumours that it is working on a flagship smartwatch product.
Singapore looks to wearable tech for population-based health initiative


The Singapore government is creating a "comprehensive digital health platform" based on the use of wearables, as part of a new nationwide health initiative designed to get Singaporeans more physically active.
FitBit's new premium model looks to utilise data to provide 'more personalised service'


Wearable tech giant FitBit has launched a premium service which will utilise users' own data in order to provide them with personalised wellness programmes.
Fitbit adds heart health monitor to its smartwatch – allows users to detect signs of irregularities


Wearable tech giant Fitbit is partnering with FibriCheck, a health screening and monitoring app, to allow users to monitor their heart rhythm for irregularities.
MORE NEWS
Accor reinvents its 1970s Thalassa hotel to launch Bel Hotel Oléron Thalasso and Spa
Bel Hotel Oléron Thalasso and Spa, MGallery Collection has opened on the French island Île d'Oléron off the country’s western coast with a 27-treatment-room spa.
Brain plasticity could be improved by manipulating the gut microbiome
Manipulating the gut microbiome could become a powerful tool for preserving brain health and resilience as people age, according to research led by Professor Paola Tognini, a neuroscientist at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Embrace the chill: TechnoAlpin's Snowsky revolutionises post-fitness recovery with falling snow
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]

Elemis launches its first Red Light Mask, lighting the way to advanced skin health and restoration
Elemis has branched into LED skincare with the launch of its breakthrough Red Light Mask. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
i-Tech Industries

Founded by Dr. Gianfranco Tudico, CEO of i-Tech Industries, icoone was created from the vision of co [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS