Key Takeaways
- Most of Fitbit’s greatest options can be found on the Pixel Watch 2.
- The corporate did just lately element Fitbit Labs, however the service does not have a launch date but.
- In latest months, Fitbit units have suffered from points like service outages, discontinued options, and lack of help.
Google acquired Fitbit barely greater than three years ago at this point. Since then, we have seen loads of Fitbit options trickle their solution 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 smartest thing about it.
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 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 displaying up on Fitbit units, it virtually 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 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 is able to launch in early 2024, however as of but, there’s been no phrase on when precisely it is going to be obtainable for customers.
Whereas Google’s touches are displaying up on Fitbit units, it virtually 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 latest. Whereas the Cost 6 definitely has plenty of wins, it’s a expensive choice for a health tracker and lags behind different choices, partially due to the reliance on subscriptions.
What is Fitbit Labs, Google’s new AI-powered personal health tool
Google simply launched new details about Fitbit Labs. This is what we all know to this point.
Fitbit has additionally been riddled with problems over the previous few years. There have been a number of main service outages within the final yr, it sundown the extremely fashionable group options and Challenges, and it quietly stopped promoting units in over a dozen nations. Some customers additionally talked about {that a} firmware replace killed their health tracker’s battery life. Most just lately, Google removed all third-party apps and clock faces in Europe as a result of regulatory points. In speaking to buddies with Fitbits, they’ve talked about what number of points they’ve had the previous few years and the way there may be restricted help 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 yr, it sundown the extremely fashionable group options and Challenges, and it quietly stopped promoting units in over a dozen nations.
All of these points are definitely regarding and make us query what is occurring with the corporate. It seems like Google is attempting to push clients to Google wearables whereas borrowing the well being tech that made Fitbit so nice for thus lengthy.
Is Fitbit price shopping for in 2024?
Understanding all the problems plaguing the model, it begs the query of whether or not Fitbits are price shopping for at this level. Whereas most corporations are extra centered on higher-end smartwatches, which was not Fitbit’s forte, there are nonetheless a number of nice health tracker choices.
Amazfit is a superb finances 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, supply lots of the similar options as Fitbit.
With so many different choices in the marketplace which are actively receiving help and new options and never experiencing main outages, it is onerous to recommend a Fitbit. Plus, I’ve by no means been a fan of the subscription model of Fitbit. The choices above offer you strong entry to well being and health monitoring and steerage with out paying for a subscription on prime 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 more likely to get long-term help and means that you can use it with none extra charges.
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