20th October 2015 marks the first time Polar enters the wrist based heart rate monitoring scene, it won’t be the last I assure you. While the leader in heart rate monitoring had its lead slowly chiseled away by numerous upcoming wearable tech companies, the introduction of the Polar A360 should put it in good stead to win back some loyal fans.
The Polar A360 is aptly named to encompass the 360-degree lifestyle. Not only does it feature wrist based heart rate monitoring and activity tracking, users can expect smart notifications and movement reminders in the form of vibrations right from the Polar A360.
Battery is expected to last up to 2 weeks on a single charge with an hour or tracking per day. Did I mention the Polar A360 is waterproof as well? Someone is going to try and measure heart rate underwater. I guarantee it.
List of features:
- Wrist based heart rate tracking
- Tracks daily activity, steps, calories, workouts, and sleep
- Wide-viewing angle full color TFT display with capacitive touchscreen
- Smart notifications (iOS, Android support promised in end November 2015)
- Vibration enabled
- Waterproof
- Up to 2 weeks battery
- Changeable straps (Available in 2016)
- Multiple Sports profiles
- Polar Club compatible
Picture from Minnaper Instagram.
The Polar A360 syncs with Polar Flow app on compatible devices where Polar’s Smart Coaching features like Activity Guide and Activity Benefits combine to make sense of daily activity.
While Garmin and Adidas have enlisted Mio Global’s help in creating the Forerunner 225 and Fit Smart, Polar has decided to take the in-house route. By developing their own algorithm for optical heart rate monitoring and optimizing hardware design, the Polar A360 promises industry leading heart rate measurement. It would be interesting to see how Polar’s A360 compares versus chest worn heart rate monitors.
The Polar A360 (RRP $199.95) will be available in Charcoal Black (size: M, L) and Powder White (size: S) in November in retail stores and online globally for $199.95 / €199.90. Additional colors such as Sorbet Pink (S, M) and Navy Blue (M) will be available soon after launch. Changeable wristbands in Powder White, Charcoal Black, Sorbet Pink, Navy Blue and Neon Green will be available in a variety of sizes and sold separately early next year.
Source: Polar.com