HOPE'S BLOG: The fitness band that doubles up as a PHONE - and it even lets you make calls in the shower

By: Unknown on 13:52

Huawei’s TalkBand 1 has a 1.4-inch flexible display and built-in GPS
It tracks steps, calories and can monitor sleeping patterns
The €99 (£80) device connects to any current Android and iOS handset
A hidden Bluetooth earpiece makes it easier to answer calls on the go

It seems everyone is developing some form of wearable tech this year and the latest comes from phone maker Huawei.
The TalkBand 1 comes with a 1.4-inch flexible display, has built-in GPS and a pedometer and will monitor sleep patterns, like the Fitbit.
It looks similar to the fitness bands released from the likes of Nike and Adidas, yet acts more like a Samsung Gear smartwatch – letting users make calls from their wrist.

The TalkBand 1, pictured, comes with a 1.4-inch flexible display, has built-in GPS and pedometer and will monitor sleep patterns, like the Fitbit. It looks similar to the fitness bands released from the likes of Nike and Adidas, yet acts more like a Samsung Gear smartwatch - letting users make calls from their wrist

HUAWEI TALKBAND 1 SPEC

1.4-inch flexible display
Built-in GPS and pedometer
Monitors sleep patterns
Connects to any iOS or Android device
Sold with a Bluetooth 4.1 earpiece
IP7 water resistant - it's splash resistant and can survive being submerged in shallow water
Costs €99 (£80/$135)

Unlike the Gear range, however, Huawei doesn’t limit the TalkBand’s use to only its own handsets.
The fitness band connects to any current Android and iOS device.

It syncs wirelessly with devices simply by touching the two gadgets together, via near-field communication (NFC) and the TalkBand 1 is sold with a Bluetooth 4.1 earpiece.
This means users don’t have to hold their wrist to their ear to make and receive calls.
What’s more, the earpiece is hidden inside the band for convenience and the whole device is IP7 water resistant, meaning it can withstand splashes in the shower, for example and survive being submerged in shallow water.

Huawei's TalkBand B1 - Wearable device/bluetooth headset

Huawei's fitness band, pictured, connects to any current Android and iOS device. It syncs wirelessly with devices using near-field communication (NFC), and the TalkBand 1 is sold with a Bluetooth 4.1 earpiece hidden inside the band, pictured

The Talkband 1 will go on sale next month in China before being rolled out to Russia, Japan, Latin America and Europe. It costs €99 (£80/$135).
Another company jumping on the phone and fitness tracker hybrid bandwagon is Alcatel, with its OneTouch Pop Fit.
Many people already use their phone as a fitness tracker, so Alcatel has attempted to combine the two.
The Alcatel OneTouch Pop Fit is a small Android phone with a 2.8-inch screen and weighs 78g.

The Alcatel OneTouch Pop Fit, pictured, is a lightweight Android phone with a 2.8-inch screen. It's sold with an armband that can be worn while running and cycling and works with GPS and fitness apps. The Pop Fit has sensitive keys that make it easier to control during exercise

ALCATEL ONETOUCH POP FIT SPECIFICATIONS

2.8-inch display
Weighs 78g
2MP camera
Dual-core 1GHz processor
Comes in red, pink, grey, turquoise and yellow
16 and 32GB storage

It’s sold with an armband that can be worn while running, for example, and works with GPS and fitness apps including Runkeeper, as well as music apps such as Spotify.
The Pop Fit additionally has sensitive keys that make it easier to control during exercise along with a transparent flip cover meaning users can keep track of their progress at a glance.
Elsewhere it has a 2MP camera, 1GHz processor and comes in 16GB and 32GB versions.
Alcatel has not announced a release date or price for the PopFit but it will be sold in red, pink, grey, turquoise and yellow.