The release of the HTC Grip wearable fitness band has been delayed until the latter part of the year. The HTC Grip was announced in February and was initially planned for a September release.
HTC issued a public statement providing details about the delay, "After extensive wear testing and user feedback, we have decided to align GRIP with the entire product portfolio for health and fitness launching this year." The company promised that when the portfolio is released it will contain several products aimed for health and fitness and will be powered by UA Record.
According to CNet, Under Armour currently has an existing UA Record app for smartphones that helps its user track fitness and health related data.
Many industry experts were not sure about what HTC describes as the "entire product portfolio." However, many speculate that it would be a heart rate tracking device. There are fitness bands currently out in the market that offers a more accurate heart rate monitor by strapping a chest-worn sensor and sends data to the fitness band via Bluetooth.
There are some analysts that suspect HTC wants to delay its entry into the crowded smart wearable market. Currently, there are several bracelet-style devices in the market and when the HTC Grip is released it will go head-to-head with devices from of Garmin, Sony, Polar and FitBit.
The HTC Grip or simply known as Grip is a fitness band developed by HTC and Under Armour. According to The Verge, the Grip can be worn on the wrist and includes a touchscreen display as well as a GPS radio. The device was originally slated for a spring release and will cost $199.