Fitbit has unveiled the Versa 2 smartwatch, adding Amazon Alexa support and a more premium design to what was already one of the best smartwatch options around.
The Versa 2's sleek new look features a single side button and an OLED screen that flows neatly into the bezel. By way of comparison, the original Versa sported three buttons and an LCD screen, so it's a significant upgrade on paper.
Alexa integration is the headline addition, however, but it works slightly differently to the version of the digital assistant you'll find on some of the best smart speakers.
On the Versa 2, you activate Alexa by holding the streamlined device's sole button. Rather than speaking back to you, though, it answers by sending a text response to your device's display.
Like the Versa, there's NFC on board for contactless payments and water resistance up to 50 meters. Sadly, there's still no room for built-in GPS, which is annoying as it means you need to carry your phone with you to fully track your fitness activities.
The Fitbit Versa 2 will be available to buy in a range of finishes from September 15, priced at $199.99 – the same price as the first-generation Versa.
Fitbit goes premium – in more ways than one
Alongside the Versa 2, Fitbit has also announced a new subscription service that it hopes will help you achieve your fitness goals.
It's called Fitbit Premium and is a similar proposition to many of the best online fitness services, offering a range of guided wellness plans, physical workouts, and dietary advice covering everything from weight loss to bulking up.
Priced at $10 a month or $80 a year, it also promises to customize its coaching suggestions based on your fitness data.
Fitbit's free app is getting a couple of boosts, too.
Sleep Score uses the heart rate monitor found on all Fitbit devices to rate the quality of your sleep, while Smart Wake is billed as an intelligent alarm clock designed to wake you up at the optimal time each day.
Factor in all of the updates and the Apple Watch could be looking at its biggest rival yet in the Fitbit Versa 2 – and with Samsung also lined up to launch a new smartwatch in September, it seems wearable fans will be spoilt for choice this fall.
Not worried about rocking the absolute latest technology? A bumper crop of new wearables could mean we see great discounts on older products – so look out for 2019's best Labor Day deals, as an incredible bargain may be just around the corner.
