Fitbit has had a rough couple of years. Its latest smartwatches, the Sense 2 and Versa 4, didn’t live up to the standards set by their predecessors. On top of that, Fitbit recently hinted that it may no longer release new Fitbit-branded smartwatches. To make matters worse, Google, which owns Fitbit, has removed popular features, such as leaderboards where users could compete with friends. These changes have left many loyal Fitbit fans disappointed.
Despite these setbacks, there are some positive developments. Google appears to be paying more attention to Fitbit once again. Earlier this month, the Fitbit app was updated to give all users access to their daily readiness score. Previously, this feature was locked behind the Fitbit Premium paywall, which many users found frustrating. This update signals that Google is beginning to focus more on making Fitbit features more accessible to everyone, regardless of subscription status.
New Fitbit App Updates Improve User Experience
Thankfully, Fitbit seems to be moving in the right direction with recent updates to its Android and iPhone apps. These updates aim to improve the overall user experience by making it easier to view and understand health and fitness data. As reported by 9to5Google, Google has given the Fitbit app a design refresh that aligns with its own branding style. This new look is part of a broader effort to streamline the app’s user interface, which has been somewhat disorganized over the years.
One of the most notable improvements in the app update is the addition of day and week tabs in various stat sections. This change helps users quickly spot trends in their health data. For example, the stress management section now allows users to view when their Fitbit detected high stress levels. This could help users identify triggers and make lifestyle adjustments to reduce stress.
The updates also extend to the mood and mindfulness sections, making them more visually appealing and easier to navigate. These changes are part of Google’s broader plan to bring consistency to the app’s design, ensuring it feels modern and user-friendly.
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Pixel Watch Users Benefit Too
It’s important to remember that Google owns Fitbit, and this connection plays a significant role in the updates. Owners of Google’s Pixel Watch must use the Fitbit app to track their health and fitness data. Therefore, the improvements to the app benefit both Fitbit and Pixel Watch users. This close integration between Google and Fitbit is likely to continue, especially as Google seeks to enhance the overall experience for its smartwatch users.
While the future of Fitbit-branded devices remains uncertain, these app updates show that Google is still investing in the Fitbit ecosystem. The improvements may not address every concern, but they are a step in the right direction, especially for users who rely on Fitbit devices to monitor their health.
What Lies Ahead for Fitbit?
The long-term outlook for Fitbit devices is still up in the air. With Google focusing more on its Pixel Watch line, it’s unclear how much longer current Fitbit models will receive updates and support. Many users are concerned that their devices may eventually be phased out in favor of Google’s other wearable offerings.
Despite these uncertainties, it’s encouraging to see the Fitbit app continue to improve. The recent updates show that Google is not abandoning Fitbit users just yet. Instead, it’s making the app more functional and user-friendly, even if the future of Fitbit hardware remains uncertain.
In the coming months and years, Fitbit users will likely be watching closely to see what Google does next. Will there be new devices? Will support for current models continue? While those questions remain unanswered, for now, Fitbit users can take comfort in the fact that their app experience is getting better, and their health data is more accessible than ever.