The No. 1 health tracker and wearables brand pivots into new territory.
Wearables giant Fitbit is taking a second crack at the smartwatch market with the new Versa, barely half a year after its first born, the Ionic. The lightweight Versa sheds the boxy, dated form of its predecessor for an Apple Watch-esque rounded square case. A fluid user experience is at last a constant when operating the 3.4cm screen, and there are more app choices now that developers have had time with the Fitbit operating system.
The Versa retains staple conveniences like music storage (allowing you to beam music straight to Bluetooth devices) and NFC payment functionality (having a credit card on the wrist), but forgoes the onboard GPS function, so you’ll still need a phone to trace your running routes. Special editions introduce a choice of strap, which includes woven fabric bands, metal link or mesh bracelets, or even saddle-stitched leather. Available at www.fi tbit.com and most lifestyle and electronics stores.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
It’s a wonder Bang & Olufsen’s clutch-sized P6 doesn’t dance across the table as it blares throaty notes appreciable at over 100m away. We know because we’ve tested it. A blasted aluminium finish grants the portable Bluetooth speaker a luxurious feel and appearance, with a knotted leather carrying strap thrown in for a touch of svelte. The 16-hour battery life and splash resistance makes it perfect for a weekend by the beach. Should you have to juice it up at any point, a full charge takes only three hours. Bang & Olufsen, Grand Hyatt Singapore.
ARMOURED UP
Who better than a manufacturer of hardy cars to fill the niche for near-indestructible smartphones? Land Rover has released the Explore, an Android-based phone that’s apparently built to soldier through harsh conditions such as sub-zero temperatures, extended periods in saltwater and drops from up to 1.8m. Most notably, the battery has an impressive capacity of 4,000mAh, which means up to days of non-intensive use. In comparison, the iPhone X packs only 2,716mAh, and the Samsung Note 8 sports 3,300mAh. Slap on the included battery pack, which also boosts your GPS reception for those offroad jaunts, and you’ll nearly double your mileage on this tank of a phone. www.landroverexplore.com
MUSICAL BOX
Planning a party? You’ll need this season’s equipment: a mobile DJ station featuring a Louis Vuitton trunk purpose-built to hold a record player, vinyls, and, of course, a Phantom speaker from Devialet, the winningest French audio brand that’s been making waves with its products and A-list collaborations (such as this one). A folding beech wood table pops out from the side to hold peripherals and controls. These come with their own custommade suitcase and carrying bag – all clad in black cowhide and the iconic LV monogram, of course. The DJ Trunk is available as a special order through both Louis Vuitton Client Services and Devialet. www.louisvuitton.com, www.devialet.com
TEXT LIAO XIANGJUN
