Google closed its Fitbit acquisition in 2021. Since then, the tech behemoth has pushed quite a few adjustments to the wearable model, together with upcoming updates introduced this week. Whereas Google reshapes its health tracker enterprise, although, some long-time customers are regretting their Fitbit purchases and questioning if Google’s practices will drive them to buy their subsequent health tracker elsewhere.
Generative AI coming to Fitbit (after all)
As is turning into frequent apply with shopper tech bulletins, Google’s newest bulletins about Fitbit appeared to be making an attempt to persuade customers of the wonders of generative AI and the way that may change their devices for the higher. In a weblog submit yesterday, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Google’s chief well being officer, introduced that Fitbit Premium subscribers would be capable of check experimental AI options later this 12 months (Google hasn’t specified when).
“It is possible for you to to ask questions in a pure approach and create charts only for you that can assist you perceive your personal knowledge higher. For instance, you would dig deeper into what number of lively zone minutes… you get and the correlation with how restorative your sleep is,” she wrote.
DeSalvo’s submit included an instance of a consumer asking a chatbot if there was a connection between their sleep and exercise and stated that the experimental AI options will solely be obtainable to “a restricted variety of Android customers who’re enrolled within the Fitbit Labs program within the Fitbit cell app.”
Fitbit can also be working with the Google Analysis group and “well being and wellness consultants, medical doctors, and licensed coaches” to develop a big language mannequin (LLM) for upcoming Fitbit cell app options that pull knowledge from Fitbit and Pixel gadgets, DeSalvo stated. The announcement follows Google’s resolution to cease promoting Fitbits in locations the place it would not promote Pixels, taking the trackers off cabinets in a reported 29 nations.
In a weblog submit yesterday, Yossi Matias, VP of engineering and analysis at Google, stated the corporate desires to make use of the LLM so as to add customized teaching options, comparable to the flexibility to search for sleep irregularities and recommend actions “on the way you would possibly change the depth of your exercise.”
Google’s Fitbit is constructing the LLM on Gemini fashions which can be tweaked on de-identified knowledge from unspecified “analysis case research,” Matias stated, including: “For instance, we’re testing efficiency utilizing sleep drugs certification exam-like apply assessments.”
Gemini, which Google launched in December, has been criticized for producing traditionally inaccurate photos. After customers complained about totally different races and ethnicities being inaccurately portrayed in prompts for issues like Nazi members and medieval British kings, Google pulled the characteristic final month and stated it might launch a repair “quickly.”In a press briefing, Florence Thng, director and product lead at Fitbit, recommended that such issues would not befall Fitbit’s LLM because it’s being examined by customers earlier than an official rollout, CNET reported.
Different current adjustments to Fitbit embody a reputation tweak from Fitbit by Google, to Google Fitbit, as noticed by 9to5Google this week.
Mixed with different adjustments that Google has dropped at Fitbit over the previous two years—together with axing most social options, the flexibility to sync with computer systems, its browser-based SDK for creating apps, and pushing customers to log in with Google accounts forward of Google shuttering all Fitbit accounts in 2025—Fitbit, like many acquired companies, is giving long-time prospects a unique expertise than it did earlier than it was purchased.
Disheartened prospects
In the meantime, prospects, particularly Cost 5 customers, are questioning whether or not their subsequent health tracker will come from Fitbit Google Fitbit.
For instance, in January, we reported that customers have been claiming that their Cost 5 abruptly began draining battery quickly after putting in a firmware replace that Fitbit launched in December. As of this writing, one thread discussing the issue on Fitbit’s help discussion board has 33 pages of feedback. Google informed BBC in January that it did not know what the issue was however knew that it wasn’t tied to firmware. Google hasn’t adopted up with additional rationalization since. The corporate hasn’t responded to a number of requests from Ars Technica for remark. Within the meantime, customers proceed experiencing issues and have reported so on Fitbit’s discussion board. Per consumer feedback, probably the most Google has accomplished is supply reductions or, if the machine was inside its guarantee interval, a substitute.
“That is known as deliberate obsolescence. I will be upgrading to a watch type tracker from a unique firm. I want Fitbit hadn’t offered out to Google,” a discussion board consumer going by Sean77024 wrote on Fitbit’s help discussion board yesterday.
Others, like 2MeFamilyFlyer, have additionally accused Fitbit of planning Cost 5 obsolescence. 2MeFamilyFlyer stated they’re looking for a Fitbit various.
The continuing issues with the Cost 5, which was succeeded by the Cost 6 on October 12, has some, like reneeshawgo on Fitbit’s discussion board and PC World Senior Editor Alaina Yee saying that Fitbit gadgets aren’t meant to final lengthy. In January, Yee wrote: “You need to see Fitbits as a 1-year buy within the US and two years in areas with higher guarantee protections.”
For a lot of, a 12 months or two would not be ample, even when the Fitbit got here with fashionable AI options.