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<\/a><\/p>\nI had 3 main criteria:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Fitbit Blaze ticked each of these points, be it in a very simplistic form, so I decided to purchase one and see how I got along.<\/p>\n The packaging for the Blaze was nice, as seems to be the trend these days, gadget companies are thinking about how they present their devices to the consumer, making the experience a good one from the start. \u00a0I went for the Blaze Gunmetal series, a nice black gunmetal finish on the bezel where the actual Blaze site, along with a black plastic strap. \u00a0The strap is good quality and comfortable. \u00a0Having had daily use now for 8 weeks it is still looking as good as the day I got it out of the box. \u00a0You can also change the straps, there are many available, the Blaze seems to be Fitbit’s entrance to the fashion smart watch market, and they have done a good job. \u00a0The straps are good value and the Blaze itself easily pops out and in to whichever you feel like wearing that day.<\/p>\n The Blaze is also customisable from a software stance, not just from the hardware straps. \u00a0There are a number of different clock faces you can choose depending on your preferred look, or the type of data you want easily visible from your wrist. \u00a0I chose the new Pop look as the clock face was nice and clear. \u00a0They seem to be adding new faces to the updated firmware as it comes out. \u00a0These are all set within the settings on the connected phone app.<\/p>\n Firstly I will address the fitness tracking; \u00a0Fitness tracking is what Fitbit do, its the core of their business and what all of their bands and watches main focus is upon. \u00a0The fitness tracking is excellent, I found the step counting accurate, the way in which it automatically picks up exercises such as walking was good and the heart rate monitor was accurate and added another dimension to the kind of data you could read about what is going on in your body.<\/p>\n The mobile app is also nice, clear, concise and easy to use. \u00a0I was actually really surprised at how many of my friends already had Fitbit devices, and the use of challenges to spur each other along was a really nice touch. \u00a0I definitely think for fitness tracking, having people you know using the same platform is a big bonus.<\/p>\n One big drawback for me was the lack of GPS built in, I would have liked to have seen this so that I did not need to have my phone with me when out for a run or cycle.<\/p>\n Secondly I wanted phone notifications, the Blaze actually does this very well. \u00a0Any notification that is on my phone I can have pop up on my wrist. \u00a0Too many notifications would be terribly annoying, but currently I have WhatsApp and text messages appear, along with Fitbit notifications. \u00a0The Blaze also notifies you of calls, this feature is pretty neat as you can see who is calling, be alerted with a buzz on your wrist and answer or reject the call without having to get your phone out of your pocket, great for commuting on the tram! \u00a0The notifications are all very clear and easy to read, even for me with less than good eyesight, being short sighted this was always a concern for me with any smart watch.<\/p>\n Finally I wanted music control, the Blaze does this by simply swiping down from the top of the watch face or long pressing the right top button. \u00a0You can control any music source you are currently using on your phone, be it podcasts, music app or Spotify. \u00a0I nice touch I thought as I often move between podcasts and Spotify and rarely use the in built music app. \u00a0There is however no built in storage so you cannot store music for offline play, also as it has no direct connectivity you have to have your phone with you to listen to music, another minor draw back for when out running or cycling.<\/p>\n\n
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