Following an uncannily long manufacturing delay, Jawbone – the makers of the popular fitness-tracking wearables UP and UP24 – have set an April 20th release date for their upcoming flagship device, the UP3.
The release date, nearly 6 months following the UP3’s announcement in December 2014, is set an auspicious four days before the release of the Apple Watch.
While the UP3 won’t likely go head-to-head against Apple’s upcoming wearable – it lacks a display, for starters – the close release date will likely see some competition between the two devices as Jawbone’s prior UP and UP24 entries have been widely regarded as some of the best fitness trackers available on the market.
The UP3 is Jawbone’s first wearable to be water-proof, and thus was the cause of a massive manufacturing delay: Jawbone had hoped to release the UP3 with a water resistance up to a 10 metre depth, but following several units failing to meet the required standard, have been forced to release the UP3 as merely splash-resistant. Conversely – and most ironically – the Apple Watch arrives with a water resistance up to one metre for a total of 30 minutes.
The UP3 will also monitor heart rates – much like its premium Apple competitor – as well as an adaptable watch-style clasp designed to fit any wrist; something prior editions of the UP series had to be manufactured into different sizes (small, medium and large) to accomplish.
Jawbone have released an official statement on the UP3’s manufacturing woes, and have offered a free pre-order termination for consumers who have no need for a non-water resistant wearable.
The UP3 is expected to retail at approximately R2449.00, and will come in two colours – Black Diamond and Silver Cross. A far cry from the heady days of garish persimmon, indeed.
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