Fitbit announces Alta, a fashionable tracker versed in fitness

The Alta isn’t breaking any boundaries with its tech specs, but Fitbit is clearly aiming to do what few functional wearables have managed so far and actually look fashionable.

Fitbit is accepting pre-orders for the Alta starting today on their website, while a number of retailers offer presale options from tomorrow.

In addition to looking good, Fitbit’s latest looks to be no slouch at tracking your workouts.

Why this matters: Fitbit is trying to make activity trackers more versatile and less utilitarian, because people are more likely to buy fitness bands that can be worn during a workout and out on the town.

With the Fitbit Alta, the company has another option for consumers. Wearers with multiple bands can swap the Alta’s internal tracker between them, using a sports watch-style band at the gym and a steel version at work, for instance.

Fitbit has launched a new activity tracking device, called Fitbit Alta, which it calls its most stylish to date. The Alta has all the basic activity-tracking features that other Fitbit bands do, but also adds Apple Watch-like reminders to move-though the Alta urges you to walk around instead of just stand so you’ll reach a goal of 250 steps per hour. The biggest one being its SmartTrack automatic exercise recognition-it can immediately recognize what exercise you’re doing so you don’t have to fiddle through unnecessary on-wrist menus or pull out your smartphone.

“Fitbit Alta will turn heads as our most fashionable device yet”, Fitbit CEO James Park said in a statement.

However, it won’t help you monitor your heart rate as it’s lacking the sensors and if you’re lost, it hasn’t got Global Positioning System either.

As for customization, the standard rubberized band comes in four colors, including black, blue, plum, and teal, selling for $30.

Designed with a satin finish, stainless steel body, and a line of interchangeable bands, the wearable can be personalized to fit your fashion sense. Leather bands for the device will sell for $59.95, while silver bangles will launch this summer at $99.95.