It has been three years since Google accomplished its acquisition of Fitbit. Since then, the firm has launched three new smartwatches below the Pixel model, together with the Pixel Watch 3 at right now’s Made By Google occasion. In the meantime, Fitbit’s not launched a single new smartwatch since the unceremonious announcement of the Sense 2 and Versa 4 two years in the past. The writing has been on the wall for years that Fitbit won’t make smartwatches anymore, as an alternative specializing in lower-profile exercise trackers that final lengthy. Engadget can affirm that that is certainly true transferring ahead.
In an interview with the senior director of product administration for Pixel Wearables Sandeep Waraich, I requested whether or not we might ever see one other Fitbit-branded smartwatch anytime quickly. Waraich stated “Pixel Watch is our smartwatch part of the portfolio.” He confirmed that transferring ahead the whole lot from Fitbit would give attention to the extra minimalistic, long-lasting trackers the model has develop into synonymous with.
Whereas the Sense 2 and Versa 4 will proceed to be accessible in the market, a Google spokesperson stated “Pixel Watches are our next iteration of smartwatch for Fitbit.”
As for the gadgets Fitbit continues to make, “trackers is where users clearly tell us they want something discreet,” Waraich stated. “They want longer battery life, they want a simple experience and we are very proud of our Inspire line.”
Waraich additionally shed some mild on how the Google and Fitbit groups have collaborated to construct Pixel watches, referencing the former’s AI prowess and the latter’s established experience in deciphering heart-rate sensor information for better insights. In line with him, Google introduced its experience in machine studying, offering “advanced models that otherwise probably externally weren’t readily available.” Fitbit, in fact, had deep information on issues like information and sign seize and the way that translated into how your fingers are transferring or what you are doing. “HIIT has a very different heart rate algorithm [and] implications than a running workout,” Waraich defined.
There’s little doubt that the Fitbit model stays useful to Google and the business at massive, given the truth its identify is mainly the catch-all noun for exercise trackers. Whereas it may be jarring to see the Fitbit identify and app in gadgets like the Pixel Watch, the place integrations ought to really feel extra seamless and unified, Waraich informed me “it’s not an app in Pixel Watch. It’s deeply integrated at a system level.”
Outdoors of the Pixel portfolio, the Fitbit app and Fitbit Premium each nonetheless exist to the massive chunk of the inhabitants that need one thing easy that may assist them keep on high of their total well being. With the trackers and Pixel watches having now matured into gadgets that may log your exercise very effectively, Waraich stated “There is a tremendous opportunity in terms of going from tracking to coaching, real-time guidance included.”
Time for everybody’s favourite buzzword and pattern for 2024: AI. With the Pixel Watch 3, Fitbit Premium customers can get AI-generated custom-made exercises based mostly on their exercise and restoration. Of all the options Fitbit Premium has supplied (and paywalled) in the previous, this looks like a more-suitable use of AI and charging for it. Fitbit and Fitbit Premium are unlikely to be going away, and whereas we might not see a Fitbit-branded smartwatch once more, this looks like a good transfer.
Compensate for all the information from Google’s Pixel Watch 3 launch occasion proper right here!
