If you want something that looks more like a watch than a cut-down smartphone then the Withings Activité might be just what you’re looking for. Encased in scratch-proof touch-sensitive sapphire glass and a stainless steel finish, the watch is water-resistant and uses a standard watch battery — that means it can last for 8 months, at which point you replace it and start again.
There are no phone notifications or email alerts on the Activité — the only smart functions are its fitness tracking capabilities, which can keep an eye on how many steps you take throughout the day and the quality of the sleep you’re getting (there’s a smart vibrating alarm that can wake you up in the morning too). All of this data syncs wirelessly with an accompanying smartphone app that lets you review your progress and set new goals. Only an iOS app is available at the moment but an Android version is on the way.
Other features include the ability to instantly detect when you go swimming and automatic time zone switching when you’re traveling around the globe. If you’re prepared to put your $450 down for a Withings Activité then there are black or white models available. Delivery is promised before the general launch at the end of November, though the wearable device is currently listed as out of stock, so you might have to hang on a little longer.
