Google kills off Fitbit features – here’s what | Tech News

Google has introduced the Fitbit Air, the primary new Fitbit tracker since 2023’s Charge 6. The tracker is a return to Fitbit’s roots as a system nestled in a strap with no screen, designed to gather health information by way of its sensors 24/7.

It has an enticing price of £84.99, and goes on sale on May twenty sixth. As half of its launch, Google, which acquired Fitbit in 2021, has determined to fully overhaul the Fitbit app – a lot in order that as of May 19, the Fitbit app shall be fully renamed to Google Health.

“The app has been redesigned and rebranded to align with this next step in our evolution,” Google mentioned. “The new redesign makes it easier to find what you’re looking for, so you can quickly find and track your progress towards your sleep, fitness, and health goals.”

The Fitbit Air and current Fitbit trackers will all proceed to perform as ordinary by way of the renamed app, which can be rolling a model new interface design. This is geared in the direction of utilizing AI to present customers more personalised insights and fitness suggestions.

However, it has emerged that with this redesign, Google is killing off some Fitbit features, which is able to disappear when the app updates on May 19. As noticed by eagle eyed Reddit customers, and confirmed by Google on an official Fitbit help centre webpage, there are a slew of adjustments coming to Google Health that would end in you dropping Fitbit performance you’ve come to get pleasure from.

Among perks that can disappear on the Fitbit app for iPhone and Android quickly is pores and skin temperature minute-by-minute information, which is able to now solely be displayed in every day and weekly phrases. Estimated oxygen variation is no longer accessible, and also you gained’t be capable to add blood glucose signs or test reminders.

Setting calorie targets goes away, as is the recipes characteristic.

Groups and group feeds are going away, as is direct messaging to different Fitbit customers. Fitbit usernames and profile footage shall be changed by your Google account data, which is now the one solution to sing into the Google-owned Fitbit app.

In a transfer sure to upset Fitbit followers, badges are additionally being discontinued, and any badges you;ve gained are being deleted. These had been enjoyable awaerds given often whenever you coated lifetime milestones in distance, for instance, whenever you’d walked the size of the Nile over the course of your Fitbit sporting.

“If you have Google Health Coach, your coach will help to celebrate your progress and accomplishment,” Google mentioned.

“Badges will no longer be supported. New badges won’t be generated, and your historical badges will be deleted.”

In a comparable enjoyable-killing transfer, Fitbit will no longer generate sleep profiles in any respect, and customers gained’t be assigned sleep animals. This was a characteristic that likened your month-to-month slumber patterns to these of an animal, full with in-app visuals and corresponding watch faces.

“Sleep Profile will no longer be available and you won’t receive monthly sleep animals, Google said. “Premium users can ask the Google Health Coach questions about what type of sleeper they are and get personalized responses.”

These adjustments additionally appear to replicate Google’s transfer to push its customers into utilizing AI.

Along with the title change to Google Health, the £7.99 Fitbit Premium subscription shall be renamed Google Health Premium.

You can view a full checklist of the characteristic adjustments on this Google help web page.