Fitbit should make a premium fitness tracker if it’s done with smartwatches

It’s clear that the Pixel Watch is Fitbit’s prime precedence. While the Sense 2 superior on well being options and sensors, it regressed on smartwatch performance by dropping Google Assistant, offline music, and third-party apps. I wouldn’t be shocked if the 2022 watch lineup finally ends up being Fitbit’s final.

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We beforehand reported that the Pixel Watch 2 is getting the electrodermal exercise (cEDA) sensor for stress monitoring, in addition to a pores and skin temperature sensor, from Fitbit’s most superior gadget. After that, battery life would be the final differentiator for Fitbit OS.

In distinction, Fitbit trackers just like the Charge 5, Inspire 3, Luxe, and Ace 3 nonetheless have a medium-to-long time period future. We reported yesterday that such a gadget handed by way of FCC certification and can presumably see a launch within the coming months.

Given that it’s simply Bluetooth LE (BLE) with no Wi-FI, it’s undoubtedly a fitness tracker. The lack of NFC for funds guidelines out a Charge 6. (Alternate concept: Fitbit is dropping NFC from trackers as one other incentive to get a Pixel Watch.) The Inspire line was simply up to date final yr, so I doubt we’ll see a new mannequin simply but. This leaves us with a new Ace for teenagers or a second-generation Luxe, which was Fitbit’s tackle a premium tracker with nicer supplies and a jewelry-like bangle design.

Again, Fitbit’s consideration is on the Pixel Watch, however I’d argue that if Fitbit smartwatches are on the way in which out, a premium and feature-rich fitness tracker that has the Charge kind issue should be tried to supply a center floor between the $349 Pixel Watch and $149 Charge 5.

The greatest factor going for Fitbit trackers, moreover worth, is the shape issue. It’s meaningfully narrower than a watch and simply sits otherwise on the wrist. That dimension is most well-liked by those who don’t significantly need one other display screen on their arm however recognize the utility. Meanwhile, the dimensions is appreciably much less obtrusive for sleep monitoring, in my expertise.

That mentioned, a small show should not nerf performance. There should be a sensible set of options that goes past the Charge 5. The closest Fitbit received was the Charge 4, which had third-party apps, like Spotify Connect. As issues stand right this moment, the $99 Inspire 3 has the identical “smart” performance because the Charge 5 apart from funds: telephone notifications, Find My Phone, AOD, DND, and sleep mode. The $50 distinction comes all the way down to the larger display screen, built-in GPS, ECG, and EDA stress apps.

At the very least, there should be a wealthy notification expertise and the power to manage music taking part in in your telephone. A voice assistant, sensible dwelling controls, climate, and calendar/process expertise could be good as properly.

In phrases of OS, adapting Wear OS is likely to be out of the query for a one-off product except Samsung and others have an interest within the tracker kind issue to fight one thing just like the Mi Band. If a extra barebones OS is used, lots of the wanted options could possibly be first-party experiences from Assistant to Google Home and YouTube Music.

This function set should then be paired with all of Fitbit’s newest well being sensors in order that the one distinction between it and the Pixel Watch line is whether or not you need the Wear OS app/watch face ecosystem and dimension.

Affordable fitness trackers have a future alongside the Pixel Watch. Google may simply keep it up with Fitbit trackers, however there’s room for them to be a bit extra formidable. 

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