Key Takeaways
- Most of Fitbit’s greatest options can be found on the Pixel Watch 2.
- The corporate did not too long ago element Fitbit Labs, however the service would not have a launch date but.
- In current 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 at this point. Since then, we have seen loads of Fitbit options trickle their technique to 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.”
Pixel Watch 2: A Fitbit in disguise?
Fitbit is not the one advantage of the Pixel Watch 2, however it’s the neatest thing about it.
When Google picked up Fitbit, some surmised that it did so, partly, to fast-track its health-tracking options and profit from Fitbit’s healthcare ties. On the time, the search large wasn’t straight competing with Apple and Samsung in that enviornment, 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?
What’s going on with Fitbit?
Whereas Google’s touches are exhibiting up on Fitbit units, it nearly seems like an afterthought. AI is the first Google tech that has trickled into Fitbit, which is not stunning. Introduced in October 2023, Fitbit Labs (which can solely be obtainable to Premium subscribers) will use AI that can assist 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 could launch in early 2024, however as of but, there’s been no phrase on when precisely will probably be obtainable for customers.
Whereas Google’s touches are exhibiting up on Fitbit units, it nearly seems like an afterthought. AI is the first Google tech that has trickled into Fitbit, which is not stunning.
Past Fitbit Labs, the main target appears to be on Google’s wearables and fewer so on Fitbit’s. There have not been many releases from the Fitbit title, with the Fitbit Charge 6 launch in September 2023 being the newest. Whereas the Cost 6 definitely has a number of wins, it’s a expensive choice for a health tracker and lags behind different choices, partly due to the reliance on subscriptions.
What is Fitbit Labs, Google’s new AI-powered personal health tool
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Fitbit has additionally been riddled with problems over the previous few years. There have been a number of main service outages within the final 12 months, it sundown the extremely fashionable neighborhood options and Challenges, and it quietly stopped promoting units in over a dozen international locations. Some customers additionally talked about {that a} firmware replace killed their health tracker’s battery life. Most not too long ago, Google removed all third-party apps and clock faces in Europe because of regulatory points. In speaking to pals with Fitbits, they’ve talked about what number of points they’ve had the previous few years and the way there may be restricted assist for his or her merchandise as properly.
Fitbit has additionally been riddled with issues over the previous few years. There have been a number of main service outages within the final 12 months, it sundown the extremely fashionable neighborhood options and Challenges, and it quietly stopped promoting units in over a dozen international locations.
All of these points are definitely regarding and make us query what is occurring with the corporate. It seems like Google is making an attempt to push clients to Google wearables whereas borrowing the well being tech that made Fitbit so nice for thus lengthy.
Is Fitbit value shopping for in 2024?
Understanding 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 was not Fitbit’s forte, there are nonetheless plenty of nice health tracker choices.
Amazfit is a good price range 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 most of the similar options as Fitbit.
With so many different choices in the marketplace which might be actively receiving assist and new options and never experiencing main outages, it is laborious to recommend a Fitbit. Plus, I’ve by no means been a fan of the subscription model of Fitbit. The choices above offer you sturdy entry to well being and health monitoring and steerage 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 permits you to use it with none extra charges.
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