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 would not have a launch date but.
- In latest months, Fitbit gadgets 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 strategy 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.”
Are Garmin devices still worth buying in 2024?
With so many smartwatches and fitness-focused gadgets available on the market, does it nonetheless make sense to buy a Garmin watch?
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 big wasn’t straight competing with Apple and Samsung in that enviornment, so buying an organization that had been doing nicely within the house for many years made sense. However the place does that depart Fitbit now? Not like with Garmin, the reply just isn’t so easy.
What’s going on with Fitbit?
Whereas Google’s touches are displaying up on Fitbit gadgets, it nearly seems like an afterthought. AI is the first Google tech that has trickled into Fitbit, which is not shocking. Introduced in October 2023, Fitbit Labs (which is able to 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 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 gadgets, it nearly seems like an afterthought. AI is the first Google tech that has trickled into Fitbit, which is not shocking.
Past Fitbit Labs, the main focus appears to be on Google’s wearables and fewer so on Fitbit’s. There have not been many releases from bearing the Fitbit identify. Outdoors of the kid-focused Fitbit Ace LTE, the newest mainline tracker Fitbit introduced was Charge 6 again in September 2023. Whereas the Cost 6 actually has numerous wins, it’s a expensive choice for a health tracker and lags behind different choices, partly due to the reliance on subscriptions.
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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 gadgets in over a dozen international locations. 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 resulting from regulatory points. In speaking to mates with Fitbits, they’ve talked about what number of points they’ve had the previous few years and the way there’s restricted assist for his or her merchandise as nicely.
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 gadgets in over a dozen international locations.
All of these points are actually regarding and make us query what is going on 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 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 corporations 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 finances model for health trackers (and extra superior smartwatches), and each Polar and Garmin make a handful of health trackers as nicely. Plus, Apple and Samsung, whereas extra smartwatch-focused, provide most of the identical options as Fitbit.
With so many different choices available on the market which are actively receiving assist and new options and never experiencing main outages, it is laborious to counsel 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 steering with out paying for a subscription on prime of the price to buy the wearable to start with. Whereas there are actually worthy Fitbits nonetheless available on the market, we might counsel spending your cash on a tool that’s extra more likely to get long-term assist and lets you use it with none extra charges.
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