Fitbit Stories September 14
With the Charge 5 and “Daily Readiness Score” announcement at the end of last month, Fitbit also confirmed our report that the Sense and Versa 3 would get “Snore & Noise Detect.” That microphone-powered feature is now beginning to roll out.
Fitbit Stories August 25
The Apple Watch popularized the concept of “closing your rings,” and Google Fit has Heart Points. Meanwhile, Fitbit — by nature of being around for so long — more prominently emphasizes step counts and miles than competitors. More recently, it’s found branding success in people comparing Sleep Scores, while there’s also one for stress. Fitbit today announced the Daily Readiness Score for Premium subscribers as the next metric you might care about.
Despite Google’s clear focus on using Fitbit to bolster its Wear OS platform, the company isn’t stopping Fitbit from launching its own new hardware. Following the launch of the Fitbit Luxe fitness tracker earlier this year, the Fitbit Charge 5 is now going official with some huge upgrades, including being the first Fitbit tracker with an always-on display.
Fitbit Stories August 23
We’re likely still a ways out from the debut of the next Fitbit product, but the leaks are starting to trickle out. Following a first look at the Fitbit Charge 5 earlier this month, another leak details the product’s price point and more.
Fitbit Stories August 16
The Fitbit Sense is nearly a year old at this point, but with no successor on the horizon, it’s getting a slight refresh. Fitbit today announced a new Sage Green option for Sense that also debuts a silver finish for the hardware, and new bands have been released, too.
Fitbit Stories August 14
Fitness trackers are the bread and butter of the Google-owned Fitbit brand, and despite Google’s focus on smartwatches, it seems Fitbit is not done with that market. After we first leaked the design last month, a new set of renders is showing off the alleged Fitbit Charge 5.
Fitbit Stories August 12
Fitbit partners with LifeScan, will give out Inspire 2 trackers to help with diabetes management
After adding blood sugar (glucose) tracking to its app earlier this year, Fitbit is taking another step in improving the feature by partnering with LifeScan to give users an automated way to capture and track their results.
Fitbit Stories July 26
The Fitbit wearable lineup remains split between smartwatches and trackers. The Versa 3 and Sense from 2020 are the latest devices in the former category, while the latter has seen Ace 3 and Luxe this year. Fitbit’s next tracker is codenamed “Morgan” and looks to be the Charge 5.
Fitbit Stories July 13
Fitbit Versa 3 bug counts too many floors climbed; company is aware
When it comes to a health wearable, the Fitbit Versa 3 is a great choice for its accuracy and affordability. However, a bug may have been inflating floors climbed on some Versa 3 devices, but Fitbit is aware of the issue.
Fitbit Stories June 30
The Fitbit Luxe was announced in mid-April but did not go on sale until earlier this month, and it’s now available at the Google Store. One advantage of buying direct is taking advantage of Google One cashback.
Fitbit Stories June 28
Many Fitbit owners missing sleep score for last night [Update: Fix]
Besides step count, distance traveled, and heart rate, one of the more common metrics that Fitbit owners keep track of is their sleep score. However, an issue this morning sees the sleep score missing from the Fitbit app and wearables.
Fitbit Stories June 20
Fitbit is ‘reviewing’ an option to turn off Minions-themed activity badges
If you’re an active Fitbit user who’s recently had a day with some heavy step counts, you might have triggered a new activity badge based on the animated Minions characters. Fitbit Minion badges are enabled by default, and currently, there’s no way to turn them off. The company is currently considering an option to do so, though.
Fitbit Stories June 1
Fitbit revealed it was making a premium Wear OS watch at I/O 2021 last month. However, until that’s released, the latest Fitbit OS update is rolling out with a slew of updates for the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3.
Fitbit users are probably familiar with the motivational badges that the brand’s trackers and watches send throughout the day as a user hits fitness goals. Soon, though, those badges will get a twist as Fitbit is soon rolling out character badges with the famous Minion characters.
Fitbit Stories May 27
The latest update to the Fitbit app contains the beginnings of nighttime snoring and noise detection, along with a cute way to think about your sleeping habits.
Fitbit Stories May 26
With activity and associated location data being highly sensitive, Fitbit is finally rolling out support for two-factor authentication (2FA). It’s not yet widely available and leverages SMS text messages.
The Fitbit Ace 3 is a fitness tracker designed for kids, and in tune with that, the company previously teased a special partnership with the Minions characters from the Despicable Me series. Now, we’re getting an early look at a bright, limited-edition Minion Yellow version of the Fitbit Ace 3.
Fitbit Stories May 25
Fitbit and Strava facing sync issues, temporary fix available w/ manual data
If you’re a Fitbit owner using Strava, you may have encountered a problem over the past few days that’s delayed sync between the two services. While a fix isn’t available just yet, the two companies are investigating the problem.
Fitbit Stories May 24
Fitbit is not yet using USB-C charging cables, despite ‘sample’ Luxe image [Updated]
Announced last month, the Fitbit Luxe is the Google-owned company’s first fitness tracker to have a color display. With the Luxe, Fitbit is also finally adopting USB-C for the charging cable.
Fitbit Stories May 18
After years of neglect, Google gave Wear OS some proper attention at I/O this year, revealing a major update that focuses on health, battery, and more. If you have a Wear OS watch today, you might be curious if current models will get this revamp. Unfortunately, you’ll be waiting a bit to find out.
As it turns out, the acquisition of Fitbit by Google really was about improving Wear OS for the better. Today at I/O, Google announced a revamp to Wear OS that hinges on Fitbit’s health expertise, and it includes essentially copying the step tracking and motivational badges that watches like Sense and Versa use today.
Under Google, Fitbit is helping to provide the backbone of health tracking on the revamped Wear OS and, soon, Fitbit will be making its own premium smartwatches based on Wear OS.
Fitbit Sense starting price quietly drops to $299 as a sale hits all-time low
Leading up to its purchase by Google, the Fitbit Sense turned out to be one of our favorite wearables in recent memory thanks to its stellar health tracking features and more. Now, the entire package is a bit more affordable as it appears Fitbit Sense has received a permanent price cut.
Fitbit Stories April 26
Besides being sold on the Google Store and talks of some Nest Hub sleep data integration, it’s still early days for that acquisition. One upcoming change will see Facebook no longer supported for logging on to the Fitbit website.
Fitbit Versa 3 drops to $179 on the Google Store, Charge 4 also on sale
Following its debut last year, the Fitbit Versa 3 has been a great choice for its lower price and excellent feature set, but a discount is making that deal even sweeter. The Fitbit Versa 3 is now available for just $179 at its biggest discount yet.
Fitbit Stories April 20
During its launch of the new Luxe tracker, Fitbit is also expanding a popular tool to more of its smartwatches and trackers. Starting this week, Fitbit is bringing Stress Management and Stress Score tools to more devices.
Fitbit Stories April 19
Fitbit Sense drops to $249 on Google Store, its lowest price yet
After Google finished its acquisition of Fitbit earlier this year, wearables finally returned to the Google Store with select Fitbit products. Now, the Fitbit Sense is seeing its first discount on the Google Store, slashing the price to $249, its lowest ever.
Fitbit Stories April 16
Now under Google, Fitbit doesn’t seem to be done with new hardware. A new leak today reveals another dedicated fitness track from the company that’s in the works, the premium-focused Fitbit Luxe.
Fitbit Stories April 7
Fitbit’s most advanced smartwatch today can track heart rate, SpO2, and skin temperature, with the company now investigating whether it can measure blood pressure with a new study for Sense owners.
Fitbit Stories March 22
Fitbit rolls out Charge 4 update with on-device SpO2 level, in-app skin temperature
Fitbit announced the Charge 4 this month last year as its most advanced fitness tracker with built-in GPS and SpO2. Data from the latter sensor was previously only accessible in the Fitbit app, but users will soon be able to see the metric on-device.
The Fitbit Inspire 2 is a pretty simple fitness tracker, but it’s getting a handy new feature this week. With a new update, Fitbit Inspire 2 is integrating the Bluetooth finding tools of Tile to help you keep tracker of, well, your tracker.
Fitbit Stories March 19
While Google has made some progress in recent years at product consolidation, it now finds itself with two health applications. For past pairings, the “better” service was often straightforward, but that’s not the case today. Fitbit’s brand appeal was likely one of the contributing factors to it being acquired, while Google Fit is actively improving to the point where either can stake a claim to having a future as the company’s primary health offering.
Fitbit Stories March 16
We saw late last year that a new iPhone-inspired Android Fast Pair UI was rolling out for mainly first-party Google accessories such as the Pixel Buds. This new UI is now more widely available for earbuds supporting Fast Pair including the OnePlus Buds but more importantly Fitbit smartwatches.
Fitbit Stories March 9
After leaking last week, the Fitbit Ace 3 has just gone official! The company’s latest fitness tracker for children arrives with a slightly higher price, but a refreshed design and more to make up for it.
Fitbit Stories March 5
Fitbit is about to launch its first new product while under Google’s umbrella. According to a new report, the Fitbit Ace 3 is launching in less than two weeks as the company’s latest fitness tracker for kids.
Fitbit Stories March 3
The Fitbit app is suffering a major outage today, with server issues taking the app down for most users.
Fitbit Stories February 23
Fitbit adds ‘Mindful Method’ wellness program for Premium subscribers
Fitbit smartwatches and trackers are great for your physical fitness, but the company is focused on your health as a whole. Beyond fitness, Fitbit can help you with stress, and a new “Mindful Method” program will help with that for premium subscribers.
Fitbit Stories February 22
[Update: Live] Fitbit hosting ‘Get in Your Zone Challenge’
Fitbit has long gamified fitness by awarding badges, including lifetime ones, and trophies. The latest way Fitbit is encouraging you to move is a “Get in Your Zone Challenge” that starts on Monday and is focused on Active Zone Minutes.
Fitbit Stories February 21
Fitbit’s hardware is solid, but software is what really makes the company’s smartwatches and trackers so good. It’s one of the things we’re looking forward to most about Google’s acquisition of Fitbit, and if a survey from the company is to be believed, a new, cheaper subscription tier may be in the works.
Fitbit Stories February 16
Following the completion of Google’s buyout of Fitbit, the company’s own storefront made it pretty clear what was coming. Fitbit watches and trackers would be sold right alongside Pixels and Nest gear. Now, that’s official. Fitbit smartwatches and fitness trackers are now available for purchase directly from the Google Store.
Fitbit Stories February 8
Fitbit started the year by becoming a part of Google’s hardware division and is today making a sizable update by rolling out blood glucose tracking to its Android and iOS app. The Fitbit Sense’s ECG feature is also coming to more places, while there are also a handful of other in-app and hardware changes.
Fitbit Stories January 21
Fitbit sending 2020 year in review with personalized and global stats
While we’re now three weeks into 2021, Fitbit today just sent out its 2020 year in review. It’s quite straightforward with the now-Google company telling users of their most active day and total counts for the last 12 months.
Fitbit Stories January 15
Google and Fitbit proudly announced yesterday that their $2.1 billion acquisition had been completed after months of regulatory scrutiny. Unfortunately for that deal, though, it may still face legal trouble as Google didn’t wait on approval from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) or Australian regulatory authorities before completing the Fitbit buyout.
Fitbit Stories January 14
Google Store marks Fitbit acquisition closing with prominent banner message
The Google Store serves as both the place to learn about Made by Google and the way to buy products directly. Made by Google is now advertising the Fitbit acquisition with a prominent store link.
Fitbit says Google deal won’t affect third-party services
It’s official. After more than a year in processing, Google has acquired Fitbit. There are a million questions that long-time Fitbit users probably have for what this means going forward, but there is one bit of good news — the Google deal won’t affect third-party services that Fitbit can sync to.
In late 2019, Google announced a deal with Fitbit to acquire the company for over $2 billion, but in the time since, the deal has had to get the approval of multiple regulatory authorities. After getting a thumbs-up from the EU last month, Google has officially completed its acquisition of Fitbit today.
Fitbit Stories December 18, 2020
The state of smartwatches on Android has been relatively unimpressive. Google’s Wear OS platform has a decent foundation but lacks any strength when it comes to health features. That’s why Google in the process of buying Fitbit. Over the past couple of months, I’ve been wearing the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3, the brand’s latest smartwatches, to learn what all the hype is about. While, personally, I still wish the operating system on these watches was closer to Wear OS, I finally see what all the hype is about in the health department. Here’s what you need to know about Fitbit Versa 3 and Fitbit Sense.
