What you need to know
- Google is reportedly rolling out its first update for the Fitbit Air to Android and iOS users late this week.
- The company didn’t state much aside from “bug fixes” in its patch notes, drumming up hope that many early Fitbit Air issues are getting fixed.
- Shortly after the device launched, Google highlighted its commitment to fix issues, such as those for its automatic workout detection, and more for the Health app.
The Google Fitbit Air is the latest device on consumers’ minds for its screen-less appeal, like Whoop. The wearable is getting its first software patch in June, which is not as detailed as we would like.
Late this week, Google started rolling out an update to the Fitbit Air, its first since its launch in late May. The folks at 9to5Google spotted the update, noting it’s slowly rolling out to Android devices as v67.20001.253.2. The post adds that the update isn’t as widespread yet, meaning most Androids are likely still waiting for the patch to arrive. When it does, Google’s kept its changelog pretty light.
Android Central’s Take
Seeing some of these issues affecting the Fitbit Air and the Google Health app make it feel like things were a little rushed. I can understand Google’s hype and interest about getting these two major pieces out into the world, but there are issues. The only good thing is that it’s committed to working out these issues, and it shows.
The publication says the company only lists “bug fixes and general improvements” as the core of this first patch. While Google hasn’t highlighted much, there’s a lot it’s been working on behind-the-scenes. The Fitbit Air and the updated (rebranded) Google Health app debuted as a duo. However, early impressions of the Health app left users feeling like it was a bit unfinished.
Android Central’s Sanuj Bhatia reported on this, highlighting several missing features from the Health app. The Fitbit Air wasn’t excluded from scrutiny, either, but Google has come forward with a commitment to fixing both sides.
Light as air
Shortly after everything debuted, Google brought attention to its faults and errors in the Health app and the Fitbit Air. The app was receiving fixes for workout tracking and sleep scores. It also rolled out fixes for the app’s connectivity with the Fitbit Air. What’s more, the company said users would soon get an option to customize the Health dashboards and rearrange their metrics.
Google claims that it’s working on better automatic workout detection, as well as “inconsistencies” with workout data. The only issue is that, if Google had fixed these glaring Fitbit issues, surely it would’ve been highlighted in this week’s patch. That’s not to say it’s not worked these improvements into its new update, though. We’ll have to wait and see the overall user sentiments after the majority receive it.
Early Fitbit Air users were struggling with the device since a Health update wasn’t available after pre-orders. That’s since been patched (or, at least, should’ve been), seeing as we’re late in June now.
