GOOGLE is set to dismantle yet another key Fitbit feature, which has left some customers looking to switch to other brands.
After years of Google-led changes, others are ditching the smartwatch altogether.
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The tech giant is phasing out Fitbit Pay as it rolls out Google Wallet support to Fitbit devices.
The feature allows customers to make contactless payments with their Fitbit wearable device, instead of with their physical card.
It very much works in the same way to Google Wallet and Apple Pay.
So much so that people might just replace Fitbit Pay with Apple’s alternative – snubbing Google’s offering.
“As #FitbitPay will not accept any new cards, earlier than expected, I’m switching to #ApplePay as default now,” one customer wrote on X.
“Which means when I go out, I will no longer wear my @fitbit as I would prefer to wear a conventional watch.
“May just wear @Fitbit at night to monitor sleep.”
Another added: “Noticed on app recently a push to sign in w Google & to use it.
“Not everyone likes that platform, or want them to have payment info.
“Maybe time [with] #Fitbit has come to end for a reason.”
Fitbit Pay will be fully replaced by Google Pay on July 29.
But the move isn’t all bad, as it will “increase the number of banks and cards that are available for contactless payments on your Fitbit device,” according to an email sent to customers by Google.
Nearly 30 US banks were made compatible with Google Wallet this month, including American Express.
FOR BETTER OR WORSE?
Google, which bought FitBit back in 2021, has made a string of unwelcome changes to the device ecosystem, according to customers.
As the company looks to phase out FitPay at the end of next month, let’s take a look at FitBit recent history under Google’s wing:
March 2023
Google axed the beloved Challenges and Adventures features as part of new ‘streamlining’ efforts inside the app.
In response, users threatened to boycott the app.
That same month, Google announced that several FitBit Premium features would be made free to all Fitbit users, including:
- Breathing rate:Â This metric is the number of breaths you take per minute.
- Heart-rate variability (HRV):Â This metric is the variation in time between heartbeats.
- Skin temperature:Â This metric is the variation in your skin temperature taken from your wrist while you sleep.
- Oxygen saturation (SpO2):Â This metric estimates the amount of oxygen in your blood, and will only be available on compatible devices.
- Resting heart rate (RHR):Â This metric is the number of times your heart beats per minute when you are still and well-rested.
April 2023
Fitbit owners were left furious after announcing that everyone will have to begin using a Google account to access Fitbit services.
Google still states that Fitbit accounts will be decommissioned in favour of Google accounts by 2025.
September 2023
Google simplified its features in three new tabs: Today, Coach and You, while also boosting the app’s ability to set personal goals.
October 2023
Google reintroduced a number of popular features such as Steps Streak and the battery percentage, after users slammed the device’s “vile” app revamp.
March 2024
Google’s chief health officer Dr. Karen DeSalvo announced Fitbit Premium subscribers would be able to test experimental artificial intelligence (AI) features later this year.
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