It’s been over two years since Google dropped down $2.1 billion for Fitbit, but there hasn’t been much integration between the two business’s products thus far.
Google Wallet might be an alternative for Sense 2 and Versa 4. However, that looks like it’ll switch this fall.
The upcoming Pixel Watch is set to get a shiny Fitbit integration, but it also seems that the gossiped Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 might have Google Wallet integration.
The latest version of Android’s Play Services offers signs that Google Wallet — which has Google Pay — is adding Fitbit smartwatch support. That consists of a new menu with graphics comparing a “squircle” Fitbit smartwatch.
The images are also tagged as a “Fitbit watch illustration.” However, it’s not clear whether Google Wallet is substituting Fitbit Pay completely or if it’s a choice in how Samsung smartwatches now let you download Google Wallet. It might also be a mode of adding Google Wallet to Fitbit Pay to enable the service for older watches.
Right now, Google Assistant is the only real connection between Fitbit and Google on the wrist. Beginning with the Versa 2, the only digital assistant you could employ on Fitbit devices was Alexa. Then, after the Google acquisition, Fitbit later added Google Assistant as a resort on Versa 3 and Sense. That made Fitbit gizmos among the first wearables to decide between two digital assistants.
Adding Google Assistant to Fitbits was an obvious selection. Alexa was already on Fitbit’s devices. There’s no mode Google would allow its biggest rival in the digital assistant room to be the only alternative on one of its gadgets. However, the option to add Google Wallet is perhaps a dying knell for Fitbit Pay. The service has always been a tad fussy. While accepted by many banks and transit systems accept it as a minor player in the contactless payments planet. And, its UI isn’t as velvety as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
The number of leaks concerning the Sense 2 and Versa 4 would indicate that we’ll likely listen to something new from Fitbit soon. In addition, we should be able to glean more about what Fitbit’s future trajectory will examine now that Google is jumping up its wearable measures. But for now, it seems that the two players are on track toward further integration, ala Google and Nest. So the genuine query is whether Fitbit can keep its own identity in the long term — or if by this time following year, we’ll be seeing a Google Fitbit Versa 5.
The Versa sequel is Fitbit’s bread-and-butter smartwatch series. Ever since the first Versa was initiated in 2018, the two subsequent devices have improved the formula, counted more features, and upped the company’s smartwatch credentials.
The Fitbit Versa 3 as the company’s best wearable considering its excellent value, respectable battery life, and accurate health tracking. However, the room is abundant for improvement for the rumored Fitbit Versa 4.
An APK teardown of the Fitbit app suggests that the Fitbit Versa 4 and Fitbit Sense 2 could employ 336 x 336 displays. That’s the exact resolution used by the original Sense and the Versa 3. The Versa 3’s display is estimated at 1.58-inches, so we could expect the Versa 4 to pack similar body dimensions.
- Fitbit Versa 3 receives an incoming call: We expect several elements to return on the Versa 4, including a built-in speaker with Bluetooth call smarts, built-in GPS with Glonass support, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support, and SpO2 tracking. However, it’s unclear how Fitbit would entice Versa 3 users to upgrade to the Versa 4 without extra sensors. With this intellect, we wouldn’t be surprised if it embraces all or a selection of the exclusive EDA, ECG, and skin temperature sensors used on the Fitbit Sense.
- Software: The Fitbit Versa 4 likely won’t operate Wear OS. Google has previously established that a yet-to-be-released Fitbit smartwatch would drive Wear OS, but considering the Sense 2 isn’t a likely prospect, it appears an all-new Fitbit range might sport this award.
- An inductive groove replacement/alternative: One of the more ribbing designs that complement the Sense and the Versa 3 is the selective inductive groove. Its lack of tactile feedback, uncomfortable placement, and clunky operation makes it more challenging to use than a traditional button. On the other hand, the Versa 2 packed a clicky switch that made it easy to see without looking. Trading this pusher for an inductive alternative was presumably made as an aesthetic conclusion, but we’d much choose the return of a raised nub.
- More Google service and app integration: Google now owns Fitbit, but you’d be excused for forgetting this. The most delinquent version of Fitbit OS lacks Google apps and services and doesn’t have suitable replacements. For starters, there’s no trustworthy offline maps app supported by Fitbit. There’s no YouTube Music aid or a dedicated Google Calendar app, nor do users have the capability to cast Fitbit workout videos to supported displays. We’d love to catch a more concerted effort from Google to maintain Fitbit OS.
- Wireless charging support: Fitbit habitually radiates a new charging cradle for almost every smartwatch and fitness tracker. It is prevented with the Versa 3 and Sense, but we’d still like to witness support for a universal key, like wireless charging. While the latest magnetic charging cradle is a substantial improvement over the Versa 2’s silly clasp charger, it stays a hindrance for travelers or folk who repeatedly forget to charge their devices. Wireless charging support would permit users to, in theory, top-up their Versa 4 using their phones’ reverse charging element or via a portable charger.
- UI performance improvements: Fitbit OS has come a long way since the beginner days of the Blaze. The new version employed on the Versa 3 is more pristine and intuitive than ever, but it remains lagging when scrolling through and opening apps. We want to catch a more concerted effort from Fitbit to rid the OS of these graphical hitches and performance setbacks that negatively affected Versa 3 and Sense.
- Health sensors from the Sense: Fitbit introduced an artificial feature bay between the Sense and Versa stripes in 2021, but in 2022, we want to catch the Sense’s smarts filter down into the subsequent Versa model. It possesses an EDA sensor for stress monitoring, an ECG monitor for heart health monitoring, and a skin temperature sensor to monitor body heat fluctuations vigorously.