As with any new gadget, wearable health trackers have seen a decline in price as more companies take advantage of the trend and more efficient manufacturing processes are developed.
Think of these little devices as a new generation of pedometer. If you're looking to lose weight or improve your health, a personal tracker can help you to reach your goal. Being able to monitor your activity level can motivate you to take the stairs instead of the elevator or push you to run that extra mile before heading home.
Misfit Wearables, a firm specializing in wearable fitness computing products and software, announced a $49 activity and sleep tracker called the Flash (AppleInsider). The Flash sports a lightweight plastic body, as opposed to the heavier aluminum used by the $100 Misfit Shine. The Flash also replaces the Shine's tap-activated interface for one that uses a push-button system. In fact, the entire face of the Flash is one big button.
Pressing the watch face will show the time and fitness goal progress, indicated by a ring of 12 LEDs. As with the Shine, there is no actual display screen.
The Flash can be fitted with a sports band or clip mount and can be worn anywhere on the body. The Flash, as reported by PCWorld, can track steps taken, calories burned, distance travelled and even sleep patterns. Beyond walking and running, the Flash can also track activities such as tennis, swimming, cycling, soccer and basketball and, thanks to user feedback, Misfit has added yoga and dance.
The Flash's companion app can be downloaded for Android and iOS, and it will track the user's data through Bluetooth. The battery should last for about six months, and a replacement one will cost close to $2.
With the introduction of smartwatches such as the Apple Watch, the Motorola Moto 360, Samsung Gear S and the LG G Watch R - all of which are wearables that can do everything that simple fitness trackers can do - makes items like the Flash a hard sell. Misfit is hoping that the lower price will bring in new buyers.
The Flash will ship in October and be available at Best Buy, Target, Amazon and Walmart and it can be preordered through Misfit's website.
