The first follow-up to the Fitbit Air is a new Special Edition that integrates with Pokémon Sleep. Available in the US and Japan, it’s meant to make sleep tracking feel like a “daily adventure,” while celebrating Pokémon’s 30th anniversary this year.
On the hardware front, this is the same Fitbit Air that launched in May with a special Performance Loop Band. The Sleepy Blue colorway is quite nice and different from Google’s existing lineup, while there’s a “custom silk print label of Sleeping Pikachu right on the strap.”
Top comment by JG
Given (so far at least) the only difference between a regular $99.99 Fitbit Air and a $129.99 Special Edition is the band (and a $30 mark up), it would be nice - especially if they are even considering additional special edition releases - if they could sell the special edition bands individually.
That way, if I got the Curry Special Edition - or just a standard one - at launch and decide hey I really like Pokemon I kinda want this one too, I could just buy it for ~$60 (similar markup over the standard bands they do sell individually) and not get a whole other Air, charger cable yada yada...
It would also allow me to replace my band should the one that came in the box get torn, discolored, etc...
Meanwhile, the retail packaging features some rather nice touches.
The software integration lets you connect this Fitbit Air — along with all other Pixel and Fitbit wearables — to the Pokémon Sleep app on Android and iOS. The game takes your overnight sleep and any naps during the day to unlock “interactive rewards.” This covers Google Health sleep duration and stages.
- Gather Pokémon around Snorlax: When you wake up, Pokémon with sleep types similar to yours gather around Snorlax. Research their sleeping styles to complete your Sleep Style Dex and befriend new helper Pokémon to your team.
- Calculate your Drowsy Power: The Pokémon you befriend collect Berries to raise Snorlax’s Strength. When you wake up, your Sleep Score, calculated from sleep duration tracked from Google Health, multiplies Snorlax’s Strength to generate “Drowsy Power.”
- Discover rare sleep styles: The higher your Drowsy Power, the more Pokémon — and rare sleep styles — will appear around Snorlax the next day.
In some ways, this is another take on Fitbit’s Sleep Animals in the old app. Behind the scenes, Health Connect on Android and Apple Health on iOS are leveraged. The sync occurs automatically every morning.
Pre-orders begin today at the Google Store and Target (with in-store availability). The $129.99 Fitbit Air Special Edition Pokémon Sleep starts shipping on September 15.
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