Key Takeaways
- Most of Fitbit’s finest options are additionally out there on the Pixel Watch 2.
- Regardless of promising Fitbit Labs early this yr, particulars are nonetheless slim on the brand new program.
- In latest months, Fitbit units have suffered from points like service outages, discontinued options, and lack of assist.
Google acquired Fitbit barely greater than three years ago. Since then, we have seen loads of Fitbit options trickle into Google’s merchandise. The Google Pixel Watch 2 is ripe with Fitbit options, a lot in order that Cam Bunton, who reviewed the Pixel Watch 2 for Pocket-lint, dubbed it a “Fitbit in disguise.”
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When Google picked up Fitbit, some surmised that it did so, partially, to fast-track its health-tracking options and profit from Fitbit’s healthcare ties. On the time, the search big wasn’t immediately competing with Apple and Samsung in that area, so buying an organization that had been doing properly within the house for many years made sense. However the place does that go away Fitbit now? In contrast to with Garmin, the reply just isn’t so easy.
What’s going on with Fitbit?
Google appears to be transferring on from Fitbit
Whereas Google’s touches are displaying up on Fitbit units, it virtually looks like an afterthought. AI is the first Google tech that has trickled into Fitbit, which is not shocking. Introduced in October 2023, Fitbit Labs will use AI that will help you perceive the information it gathers, giving extra in-depth well being insights and training tailor-made to your particular wants.
Google initially stated this may launch in early 2024, however particulars on this system and what it’s going to really provide are nonetheless not out there. The function has rolled out to pick Fitbit Premium subscribers for additional testing, however remains to be not extensively out there although we’re greater than midway via the yr.
Whereas Google’s touches are displaying up on Fitbit units, it virtually looks like an afterthought. AI is the first Google tech that has trickled into Fitbit, which is not shocking.
Past Fitbit Labs, the main target appears to be on Google’s wearables and fewer so on Fitbit’s. There merely have not been many releases bearing the Fitbit title. Past the kid-focused Fitbit Ace LTE, the latest mainline tracker Fitbit introduced was Charge 6 again in September 2023. Whereas the Cost 6 definitely has quite a lot of wins, it’s a dear alternative for a health tracker and lags behind different choices, partially due to the reliance on subscriptions.
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Extra considerably, Fitbit has been riddled with problems over the previous few years. That features a number of main service outages within the final yr. It additionally quietly stopped promoting units in over a dozen nations and Fitbit appears to be reducing extra options and instruments than it is including. It sundown the extremely common neighborhood options and Challenges and Google removed all third-party apps and clock faces in Europe attributable to regulatory points.
Most not too long ago, Fitbit shut down the Fitbit net interface, following a June announcement. Meaning the app is the one place to dive into Fitbit knowledge and insights. “Subsequent month, we’re consolidating the Fitbit.com dashboard into the Fitbit app. The online browser will not provide entry to the Fitbit.com dashboard after July 8, 2024,” stated Fitbit in its submit on the Fitbit Neighborhood Discussion board.
Whereas many individuals possible do not use the online app, it did make sure options simpler and customers have taken to the feedback to voice their frustration. On the time of writing, there have been 1,556 replies to final month’s submit, with loads of Fitbit wearers asking the place within the app they may entry a variety of options like checking a graph of tempo versus distance, create a meal, add a missed exercise, and extra.
Extra considerably, Fitbit has been riddled with issues over the previous few years. That features a number of main service outages within the final yr. It additionally quietly stopped promoting units in over a dozen nations and Fitbit appears to be reducing extra options and instruments than it is including.
All of these points are definitely regarding and make us query what is occurring with the corporate. It looks like Google is attempting to push prospects to Google wearables whereas borrowing the well being tech that made Fitbit so nice for therefore lengthy.
Is Fitbit value shopping for in 2024?
There are lots of different choices on the market
Figuring out all the problems plaguing the model, it begs the query of whether or not Fitbits are value shopping for at this level. Whereas most firms are extra targeted on higher-end smartwatches, which weren’t Fitbit’s forte, there are nonetheless a number of nice health tracker choices.
Amazfit is a good funds model for health trackers (and extra superior smartwatches), and each Polar and Garmin make a handful of health trackers as properly. Plus, Apple and Samsung, whereas extra smartwatch-focused, provide lots of the identical options as Fitbit.
With so many different choices in the marketplace which can be actively receiving assist and new options and never experiencing main outages, it is exhausting to recommend a Fitbit. Plus, I’ve by no means been a fan of Fitbit’s subscription model. The choices above provide you with strong entry to well being and health monitoring and steering with out paying for a subscription on high of the payment to buy the wearable to start with. Whereas there are definitely worthy Fitbits nonetheless in the marketplace, we might recommend spending your cash on a tool that’s extra prone to get long-term assist and lets you use it with none further charges.
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