Lightweight smartwatch, earbuds to woo running enthusiasts

Last year’s Fitbit Versa was our favourite watch for Android users who still can’t hook up with an Apple Watch. The Versa’s 2019 successor finally arrived in India after teasing Fitbit fans for a while now. It comes at a time when Google has announced the acquisition of this fitness-focused wearable brand. The Versa 2 builds on a form factor that has won it acclaim and also adds a few key upgrades. Is that enough reason to upgrade if you already own a Fitbit Versa? The Versa’s lightweight form was one of its standout features. This watch felt weightless on your wrist even if you wore it for hours on end or strapped it on to your wrist when you went to bed. Sleep tracking is one of Fitbit’s big strengths and for most part its quite accurate. 

The Versa 2 is probably the closest in form to the Apple Watch, although it’s slightly more squarish. The Versa 2 expands the screen size marginally from 1.34-inches (on the Versa) to 1.4-inches. It’s not just a size enhancement, the Versa 2 gets a brighter AMOLED screen that’s reinforced by Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It’s truly vibrant and offers excellent visibility even under bright sunlight.    Aside from the screen, the other thing you will notice is its responsiveness. A speedier chipset ensures this wearable is more fun to use whether you’re

scrolling menus or using other features. Alexa is one such feature that might interest some users. The Versa 2 is the first Fitbit with a built-in microphone, allowing you to keep quizzing Alexa through the day. There’s no speaker though, so you’ll have to make do with text responses on your screen. The Fitbit App Ecosystem has taken a few steps forward but it’s still no match for the Apple Watch on this front. The Versa 2 scores on the watch face front with scores of options. The Versa 2 misses out on GPS which can be deal breaker for running enthusiasts but features all the fitness options that we’ve come to expect and love on our Fitbits. And then there’s battery life, a big win for the Versa 2 over the Apple Watch — five days is almost a given on this watch. That’s one more reason why the Fitbit Versa 2 might still be the best bet if you own an Android smartphone.  (Rs 20,999 onwards)

Syska IEB 100: Wireless earbuds are becoming the preferred headphone option for a growing number of users. Syska’s latest AirPods challenger delivers HD quality sound and also offers passive noise cancellation; handy if you’re trying to filter external sounds during a workout or on a flight. These lightweight buds offer a quick charge solution, while a full 1.5 hour charge delivers 4.5 hours of battery life. The IEB 100 is water resistant thanks to its IPX4 certification and should cope with a sudden drizzle during an outdoor run. (Rs 5,899)

(Ashwin Rajagopalan is a lifestyle writer and consumer technology expert. Catch the latest digital and tech updates in this weekly column)