Polar is known for its fitness-tracking technology, but it looks like the company is hoping to take things to the next level. It has just announced its latest and greatest tracker, the M600 fitness tracker, which is powered by Google’s Android Wear.
The tracker isn’t just aimed at being accurate and powerful — it’s also built for style. While it’s undoubtedly a fitness tracker, it offers a sleek build on par with many other smartwatches out there. The new tracker is waterproof and features Polar’s own wrist-based heart rate tracker, which uses 6 LED lights and is processed by an algorithm designed to be as accurate as possible.
“Polar created the first heart rate monitor, the first activity tracker, and now we’re the first true sports wearables company to announce a smartwatch truly made for sports,” said Polar Chief Strategy Officer Marco Suvilaakso in a statement. “Powered by Android Wear, Polar M600 offers our customers countless opportunities to customize their smartwatch and still rely on the unique Polar sports wearable experience that is at its core.”
Pairing with Android Wear is certainly interesting, but does make sense. It gives users the ability to use the fitness tracking apps that they want to use, as well as the ability to use the device as a more general smartwatch rather than just a fitness tracker.
While you can use another fitness tracking app if you want to, the Polar apps are excellent choices. Polar Flow allows you to track your activity and heart rate, as well as things like sleep quality. You’ll also get access to the Polar running program, which offers personalized coaching for 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon training.
The new Polar M600 will be available later this year in either charcoal black or powder white, and will cost $330.
