3 min readNew DelhiMay 30, 2024 12:17 PM IST
First published on: May 30, 2024 at 11:59 AM IST
Google recently unveiled the Fitbit Ace LTE, a new smartwatch designed for kids. While previous Ace models were trimmed-down versions of Fitbit’s fitness bands, Ace LTE is powered by the WearOS.
Apart from the standard fitness tracking features, the new smartwatch offers features like calling, messaging and location sharing with parents. Fitbit Ace LTE also comes with pre-installed interactive 3D games, with a twist; the company says kids will be able to get more game time the more they move.
These games use haptics, sounds and the accelerometer “to deliver fun and engaging gameplay.” To keep kids on their toes, Google says it will update the Fitbit Arcade with new games every few months.
The Fitbit Ace LTE also comes with ‘Eejies’, a bunch of kid-friendly creatures that “feed off daily activity”, meaning the more the kids move, the healthier and happier their ‘Eejie’ gets. Kids can also earn arcade tickets which can be used to customise ‘Eejie’s with new outfits and deck out the creature’s home.
The new smartwatch uses “a new movement algorithm” that can help accurately track kids’ physical activity. Fitbit Ace LTE can recognise activities like playing hide and seek, jumping on the bed, and dancing. All these activities will be visible in the ‘Noodle’ activity ring on the home screen. Fitbit also launched six collectible bands for the Ace LTE, each band “unlocking different items.” However, they will be sold separately.
On the privacy front, Google says only parents can see their child’s location or activity data in the app. While the location data is automatically deleted every 24 hours, activity data will be deleted after a maximum of 35 days. Only contacts added by a parent will be able to call the device.
Settings like ‘School Time’ can be managed too, to reduce distractions. ‘Tap to Pay’ can be set up so that kids can easily buy the things they want. Fitbit says parents don’t need to buy a new SIM card or pay for an activation as network connectivity is already included with the Fitbit Ace Pass.
The Fitbit Ace LTE comes with a bumper case in the box and offers water resistance up to 50 meters. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3 and the device lasts around 16 hours on a single charge. It is currently available for pre-order for $229,95 and will go on sale in the United States on June 5.
Fitbit Ace LTE is powered by WearOS. (Image Source: Google) 
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