IT Show 2017: Sports tech picks

Curve True Wireless Fitness EarBuds TWS-X100 PHOTOS: CURVE, FITBIT, GARMIN, SAMSUNG

1 Curve True Wireless Fitness EarBuds TWS-X100

$129 (usual price $199); first 100 customers can buy two units at $199
Booth 6441

If you cannot afford the Apple AirPods, you might want to get the Curve True Wireless Fitness EarBuds TWS-X100.

Unlike some so-called wireless earphones, the TWS-X100 has no cords connecting the two earbuds for a truly cordless connection to your smartphone. It also comes with ear wing-tips to secure the earbuds in place, and a portable storage box that doubles as a charging station via a micro-USB connection.


2 Fitbit Charge 2

$218 (usual price $248)
Booth 8321

The Fitbit Charge 2 is a well- rounded, good-looking tracker with metallic sides, deadly accuracy in heart-rate, sleep and steps tracking, as well as automatic workout tracking.

With an Oled monochrome screen four times larger than its critically acclaimed predecessor Charge, it makes viewing of fitness stats that much easier. It can also display notifications when paired with a smartphone, and track your running distance via the phone's GPS sensor.

It won both Editor's Choice and Readers' Choice at The Straits Times Digital Awards 2017.


3 Garmin fenix 5 series

From $899 (available for pre-order); first 50 customers to pre-order a fenix 5S or fenix 5 get a free QuickFit silicone band (worth $109)
Booth 6313

Available for pre-order at IT Show 2017, the Garmin fenix 5 series is the company's flagship GPS running watch.

Listening to users' feedback about the previous iterations for being too large, the fenix 5 series now come in three sizes.

The smallest fenix 5S has a 42mm watch, while the standard fenix 5 has a 47mm watch face. If you prefer big watches, you can go for the 51mm fenix 5X.

All the fenix 5 watches have built-in wrist heart-rate monitor, daily activity tracking, compass, altimeter, barometer, GPS and Glonass support satellite tracking systems, and are water-resistant to 100m. They also double as a smartwatch when paired with a compatible smartphone.


4 Garmin vivosmart HR with EzLink

$259
Booth 6313

Need that extra motivation to constantly wear a fitness tracker? Get Garmin vivosmart HR with EzLink. As its name implies, it is the Garmin vivosmart HR fitness with an ez-link chip integrated into the wristband. Thus, it works just like an ez-link card. You can pay for your train and bus rides with a swift and convenient tap of the wrist on the ez-link card reader.

Besides, it can also be used for transactions at more than 30,000 ez-link acceptance points here. And you can top up the balance just like how you would do with a normal ez-link card.


5 Samsung Gear Fit2

$298
Booth 8213

Many fitness trackers need to be paired with a smartphone to utilise GPS for tracking runs. But not the Samsung Gear Fit2.

It comes with embedded GPS as well as a built-in heart-rate monitor to provide accurate automatic tracking and measurement of their physical activities, such as running, walking and cycling. With 4GB of built-in memory, you can store music and listen via a pair of Bluetooth earphones while you work out.

The Fit2 also doubles as a smartwatch when paired with a compatible smartphone to display notifications on its 1.5-inch curved touchscreen.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 16, 2017, with the headline IT Show 2017: Sports tech picks. Subscribe