On March 30th, Garmin’s FCC file for what it calls a “Smart Band” should have no longer been subject to a confidentiality restriction. This might either be a direct rival to Whoop or a completely other product.
The FCC has received a slew of various filings from the sports apparel company in the last several months. As a result, the Venu 2 Plus, Fenix 7, Epix (generation 2), and Descent G1 have all been released so far this year. As such, we expect the Tactix 7 should be out soon as well (commonly referred to as the Echo).
What follows are the contents of the regulatory filing and conjecture on our part as to what this may be because it is yet unknown to the public.
A smart band from Garmin?
In late 2021, Garmin submitted an intriguing FCC addition. A “Smart Band” – FCC ID IPH-04352 – is what this one is for. On March 30th, 2022, the filing’s short-term secrecy was due to expire; however, it looks as if this confidentiality has been extended (unfortunately, we do not know how long for).
Some think this might be a direct rival to Whoop. Whoop, wearable activity, and health tracker with no screen is now at version 4.0. On the other hand, you’ll be looking at your recovery data, SpO2, temperature, and other crucial indicators on the app’s or website’s dashboard. The most recent model is more compact, and it can now be worn on various regions of the body besides the wrist, such as the chest, waist, and leg.
Professional athletes love Whoop because of its in-depth recuperation information. However, a monthly fee is required to use the service. That’s when the appeal of a device like this starts to wane.
We admire Garmin’s choice not to go down that path thus far. You should have access to most of the metrics a fitness device may produce if you purchase one. Unfortunately, the subscription model is becoming increasingly popular among businesses. Recent examples are Fitbit and Oura.
Will Garmin release a band to compete with Whoop?
As a result, we do not expect Garmin to offer a Whoop-like band with an annual subscription service. FCC “Smart Band” most likely refers to a fitness band from Garmin’s line.
It’s worth noting, though, that the HRM Pro heart rate bracelet has just received an additional Bluetooth connection. There is something odd about the timing of this publication and the firmware upgrade. Instead of two, the strap may now support three simultaneous Bluetooth connections. ANT+ and Bluetooth connection are stated to have both been improved by the upgrade.
As previously indicated, the FCC’s secrecy clause was due to expire on March 30th, and this includes any and all images, manuals, and test setup photos. As Tuesdays are traditionally when Garmin unveils new products, March 29th has a good chance of being one of those days. In addition, Garmin may postpone the deadline for the confidentiality agreement. Perhaps the product’s debut has been delayed.
What else?
In addition to the Vivosmart 5 and Vivofit 5, are there any more devices worth mentioning? This may be the “Smart Band,” as both are in desperate need of an upgrade.
Unlike the Vivofit 4, the Vivosmart 4 was released in September 2018, while the Vivofit 4 was introduced in December 2017. The Vivosmart 5 is more likely to be released because we believe Garmin will shortly discontinue the Vivofit series.
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