- Google appears to be building a Fitbit-style screenless tracker
- The revelation came as Google’s ‘performance advisor’ Steph Curry posted on Instagram
- Video tease showed Curry wearing a screen-less bracelet
Google is following the same trend as Polar and Amazfit by creating what we call a “Whoop clone”: a fitness tracker without a screen.
Curry can be seen carrying the band, with his voiceover stating: “I’m excited about what this is going to mean for the world, for health and well-being. It’s the first of its kind in a way. I’m not going to spoil it, you have to see it for yourself.”
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The video doesn’t address the group directly, but you can see them wearing an orange bracelet with a metal clasp, prominently displayed in the footage. No release date or other information is given other than “coming soon.”
If Google is already releasing official videos about the device, “soon” probably means “later this month” rather than later in the summer, when Google typically introduces new Pixel devices.
Watch the video below:
Analysis: Whoop’s latest clone
Google’s new Fitbit (if it is indeed a Fitbit, rather than a Pixel Band or something) falls into the category of screenless wearables in good company. Once dominated by the subscription-oriented premium Whoop, screenless tracking has grown to include the Polar Loop and Amazfit Helio Strap.
Even Garmin is throwing its hat in the ring with the long-rumored Garmin Cirqa group. Never mind the screenless options of top smart rings like Oura and Samsung.
It’s safe to say that these “focused” wearables are having a real moment. Whoop has just raised a titanic sum in investor funding, as the company is now worth $10 billion according to TechCrunch.
