Home / Technology / Garmin Eyes Whoop's Screen-Free Health Tracking
Garmin Eyes Whoop's Screen-Free Health Tracking
11 Apr
Summary
- Garmin may launch a screen-free wearable called CIRQA.
- CIRQA aims to track physical and emotional recovery metrics.
- Both Fitbit and Garmin are reportedly developing Whoop-style bands.
Garmin is reportedly entering the screen-free fitness tracker market with a device potentially named CIRQA, a direct competitor to the popular Whoop band. The trademark filing for CIRQA suggests it will measure a wide range of physiological data, including recovery from physical and emotional stress, and alertness levels.
This development comes after Fitbit, now owned by Google, teased its own Whoop-style wearable with the help of Steph Curry. Garmin itself accidentally revealed its work on a new wearable via a temporary store page in January.
The appeal of screen-free trackers like Whoop lies in their data-first approach, focusing on comprehensive health metric analysis through a smartphone app. This minimalist design attracts users seeking to optimize their health without constant screen interaction.
Given Whoop's recent success, including a $575 million funding round, it's logical that competitors like Garmin and Fitbit would seek to capture a share of this growing market. The rise of AI in health and fitness further supports the screen-free model, as cloud-based data processing and smartphone app analysis become more prevalent.
