The P8 lite, with its interesting anti-subsidy strategy, isn’t the only Huawei product that’s coming to the US this week. Introduced last March at MWC 2015, the Talkband B2 wearable is finally taking flesh. But arriving in the US isn’t it’s only pleasant surprise. Huawei is revealing that its fitness tracker will be compatible with Jawbone‘s UP platform, allowing wearers to keep full track of their activities, their sleep quality, and everything else that they need to know to keep up with a healthy lifestyle.
In 2014, Jawbone opened up (puns abound) its UP platform to third party devices, which meant that you no longer needed UP’s own wearables, like the really late UP3, to take advantage of all the fitness monitoring, assessment, and competition that UP offers.
The Talkband B2 is a rather intriguing wearable. Actually, it’s sort of a wearable and a half. The “brains” of the device is really a module that has everything in it: a 6-axis motion senor, dual microphones for noise suppression, and high performance speakers. Speakers and mics might not be unusual for smartwatches and smart bands, in the Talkband B2 they are put to use in a slightly different way. That module can actually be removed from the embrace of its strap and transforms into a hands-free Bluetooth headset you can put on your ear. Definitely an ingenious 2-in-1 gimmick.
Aside from that, the Talkband B2 does what it is advertised to do. It can automatically detect your activity, whether walking, running, or cycling, and change its tracking as needed. It can monitor your sleep and provide feedback on its quality. It can notify users of incoming calls and messages and let them control basic smartphone functions from their wrists. It can help locate misplaced smartphones or control smartphone cameras from a distance.
The band themselves bring a touch of class to the wearable, turning the Talkband B2 from a hi-tech gadget into a fashion statement. The Talkband B2, module and band, comes in white and black color options for more sporty styles and a gold body with a leather band for a more luxurious appearance.
The Huawei Talkband B2 goes live this week for $179, available from GetHuawei.com, Amazon.com, and Fry’s, both online and retail stores. The wearable will also appear in Best Buy soon.
