TechSmartwatchesGoogle is axing all Fitbit accounts soon, but it might be good newsGoogle integrating Fitbit more into its own ecosystem, despite what you might think, is not necessarily a bad thingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechSmartwatchesGoogle is axing all Fitbit accounts soon, but it might be good newsGoogle integrating Fitbit more into its own ecosystem, despite what you might think, is not necessarily a bad thingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Google integrating Fitbit more into its own ecosystem, despite what you might think, is not necessarily a bad thing
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Google)
(Image credit: Google)
Last year, when it was announced that Fitbits would berunning a version of Wear OS, I wasn’t too impressed, although I was far from being surprised. It was only a matter of time before Google started assimilating Fitbit after the acquisition, and you can’t blame them - you won’t pay $2.1 billion to buy a company and just let it do its thing.
More important question: will I be able to access myFitbit Sleep Animalafter the merger?(Image credit: Fitbit)
More important question: will I be able to access myFitbit Sleep Animalafter the merger?
More important question: will I be able to access myFitbit Sleep Animalafter the merger?
(Image credit: Fitbit)
No, Google must have had a plan on what it’ll do to Fitbit. This plan probably included merging the Fitbit and Google accounts (or, more like, assimilating) and benchmarking the former’s wearables so Google could launch thePixel Watchto rival theApple WatchandSamsung Galaxy Watch. And, surprise-surprise, the Pixel Watch is indeed coming outsooner than we thought!
But the Pixel Watch won’t spell the end of Fitbits; it’s more likely Google will turn the Pixel into a full-blown flagship smartwatch while simultaneously moving Fitbits more into the health and fitness territory, something Fitbit was working on even before Google came into play. Fitbit users have already started seeingWear OS updates on their wearables.
And now that Fitbit accounts will be merged with Google accounts, these free software updates will likely happen even easier and more frequently. How about security, you say? Will merging accounts not result in Google knowingeverythingabout you, including your resting heart rate, activity levels, and more? What will it do with all that data?
The Pixel Watch won’t make Fitbits obsolete - yet anyway(Image credit: Google)
The Pixel Watch won’t make Fitbits obsolete - yet anyway
The Pixel Watch won’t make Fitbits obsolete - yet anyway
(Image credit: Google)
Well, according toThe Verge, who managed to get hold of a Fitbit spokesperson, “After a user signs up for or moves to a Google account, [Fitbit] will continue to keep the users’ health and wellness data separated from Google Ads data, and this data won’t be used for Google Ads.” Will the data be used for other purposes? Maybe, but it’s not like we haven’t been willingly handing over all our data to Google as it is when we search for certain things online, including symptoms.
Not to mention, you could already link the Fitbit app with Google Fit, which connects health data from your wearable/smart scale/etc. with your Google account. From 2025, the difference will be that it won’t be optional. So what? Will I lose anything? No. Will it stop me from using thebest Fitbitsin the future? It won’t. I’m sure I’ll be able to set security and privacy options up in the Fitbit app.
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I’m not trying to pretend to know where this whole Google-Fitbit merger is headed, and neither am I fully onboard with my health data being used for anything else but my own information. But I’m also not too bothered about Fitbit accounts going obsolete; it won’t change user experience too much, or at all.
If at any point I feel uncomfortable with how my data is handled, I’ll just stop using Fitbits, the Pixel Watch, or anything else that collects and uses my data without my consent. For now, I’m happy for them to see thatI sleep welland that my VO2 max is through the roof; thank you. Fancy a new Fitbit? Check out T3’s roundup of thebest Fitbit deals, or browse the deals below.
Today’s best Fitness Activity Trackers deals
Jawbone UP3$11.39$0.01ViewSee all prices
Jawbone UP3$11.39$0.01ViewSee all prices
Jawbone UP3
Jawbone UP3
$11.39$0.01View
$11.39$0.01
$0.01
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ECSEM Garmin Forerunner Replacement$3.99ViewSee all prices
ECSEM Garmin Forerunner Replacement$3.99ViewSee all prices
ECSEM Garmin Forerunner Replacement
ECSEM Garmin Forerunner Replacement
$3.99View
$3.99
$3.99
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NANW Fitbit Sense screen protectors$6.99ViewSee all prices
NANW Fitbit Sense screen protectors$6.99ViewSee all prices
NANW Fitbit Sense screen protectors
NANW Fitbit Sense screen protectors
$6.99View
$6.99
$6.99
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EWUONU Fitbit Sense 2 screen protector$7.99$6.99ViewSee all prices
EWUONU Fitbit Sense 2 screen protector$7.99$6.99ViewSee all prices
E ECSEM Garmin Compatible Watch Bands
E ECSEM Garmin Compatible Watch Bands
$7.98View
$7.98
$7.98
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KPYJA Fitbit Sense 2 screen protector$8.99ViewSee all prices
KPYJA Fitbit Sense 2 screen protector$8.99ViewSee all prices
KPYJA Fitbit Sense 2 screen protector
KPYJA Fitbit Sense 2 screen protector
$8.99View
$8.99
$8.99
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Yaxin Slim Sport Band for Fitbit Versa$9.99ViewSee all prices
Yaxin Slim Sport Band for Fitbit Versa$9.99ViewSee all prices
Yaxin Slim Sport Band for Fitbit Versa
Yaxin Slim Sport Band for Fitbit Versa
$9.99View
$9.99
$9.99
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$12.98View
$12.98
$12.98
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Isabake Garmin Replacement Band$12.99ViewSee all prices
Isabake Garmin Replacement Band$12.99ViewSee all prices
Isabake Garmin Replacement Band
Isabake Garmin Replacement Band
$12.99View
$12.99
$12.99
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Samsung Gear S2$12.95ViewSee all prices
Samsung Gear S2$12.95ViewSee all prices
Samsung Gear S2
Samsung Gear S2
$12.95View
$12.95
$12.95
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