Fitbit has some competition. Amazon just announced its newest fitness tracker, the Halo View, will ship in time for the holidays. The latest wearable looks like it could be Fitbit’s doppelganger.
Though Fitbit has long been a standard-bearer in wearable fitness tracking, the Halo View isn’t Amazon’s first rodeo, either. The retail giant came out with the Halo Band last year, but the new option has some key differences and updates.
For starters, it’s a bit less expensive. The Band is $99.99. The View will run you $79.99. It’s also cheaper than the Fitbit’s least expensive general-purpose fitness tracker, the Inspire 2 ($100). Is it worth it? Let’s dig into the features of Amazon’s Halo View.
What are some of the most significant differences between the Halo View and Halo Band?
If you splurged on a Halo Band last year, you might be wondering if it’s worth it to get the new gadget. Besides price, there are some notable differences between the fitness trackers.
- Hello, screen. The Halo Band did not have a screen, and users had to use the app to see fitness and health data. The Halo View will have a colorful AMOLED touchscreen that rivals Fitbit’s Charge 5, which is considerably pricier at $179.95. The screen enables users to start and stop workouts, display stats, and more.
- Good-bye, microphone. Amazon ditched the controversial, always-on microphone that analyzed your emotional tone. Though you could turn it off, the default was on. It’s still available on the Halo phone app if you’re interested.
What does it track?
The Halo View aims to give users a comprehensive look at their health and wellness. The wearable tracks:
- Heart rate
- Sleep, including stages, duration, and temperature
- Calorie burn
- Movement intensity
- Active time vs. time spent at rest
- Steps
- Blood oxygen level
What are some other special features of Amazon’s Halo View?
The Halo View isn’t a basic wearable. Users will also enjoy several other fun features of Amazon’s fitness tracker designed to bolster their overall well-being. These features include:
- Access to 10 exercise options through the device
- Body analysis and movement (This feature is camera-based and requires the phone app)
- Movement reminders
- Alexa integration: Alexa devices can give you health information collected by Halo if you ask for it
Are there any necessary or new subscriptions?
Amazon is throwing in a free one-year Halo membership. After that, it’ll cost $3.99 per month to keep it. If you choose not to subscribe, you will lose access to advanced features of Amazon’s fitness tracker, like sleep analysis and body composition scanning.
The one-year subscription trumps Fitbit’s Charge 5, which comes with six months free of the brand’s premium services. The Inspire 2 offers a one-year free trial. After the trials are up, Fitbit’s premium services cost $10 per month — considerably more than Halo View’s.
Later this year or early next year, Halo’s subscription will include even more. Amazon has also announced that it’s coming out with video workouts and nutrition planning services. Here’s what users can expect from each.
- Fitness workouts. The fitness videos will be high-quality and include cardio, strength, yoga, mobility, and outdoor options. The videos likely compete with Apple Fitness Plus. Expect on-screen data, including heart rate.
- Nutrition services. Plan out healthy meals for the week using Halo Nutrition. Users can access meal planning guides for different programs, including Weight Watchers, Lifesum, and Amazon-owned Whole Foods. You can integrate the services with Alexa by adding ingredients to your Alexa shopping list.
Halo Fitness and Halo Nutrition will be on the Halo app and available to Band owners as well.
What else do I need to know about the Halo View?
The Halo View is comprehensive and, comparatively speaking, is set to offer a lot for a little. Before springing for it, there are a few other details you should know.
- Compatibility. The Halo View is compatible with Android and iOS.
- You can swim. If hitting the water is one of your favorite physical activities, rest assured, the Halo View is swim-proof.
- Battery life. The battery lasts up to 7 days and takes 90 minutes to charge. The Fitbit Inspire 2’s battery typically lasts a little longer (10 days).
- Notifications. You’ll be able to receive text message notifications on your wearable, but you can also put it on do-not-disturb mode for days you’d like to do yoga in peace.
- Bands. The Halo View is available in three colors: black, green, and purple. Users can purchase additional multicolor bands for $15. Fabric, leather, and metal bands will run you $30.
The new Halo View is competitively priced against some of its biggest soon-to-be rivals over at Fitbit, including the Charge 5 and Inspire 2. Amazon expects the new gadget will be available to ship for the holidays and just in time to help people get a head start on their health and wellness-related New Year’s resolutions.
BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.
