The Fitbit Sense 2 may be landing on wrists soon, judging by two new device names discovered in the Fitbit Android app installation files. It's an exciting discovery — there's been no word from Fitbit so far this year, aside from the recall of Fitbit Ionic devices earlier this month — but we can't help but wonder what a next-gen Fitbit Sense might offer to tempt us. .
The Fitbit Sense was an exciting watch when it launched in September 2020, thanks to its new stress-sensing technology. While most fitness trackers, smartwatches, and running watches measure fitness by tracking heart rate variability, Sense uses electrodermal activity (EDA), which is a measure of conductivity electric skin.
Adrenal activity makes you sweat, which makes your skin more conductive. When you activate the Fitbit Sense EDA app and place your palm on its face, the watch sends a small electrical pulse through your skin and measures changes in conductivity (EDA responses). More EDA responses over the course of a minute indicate higher stress levels.
While it's a coincidence, mid-2020 was the perfect time for Sense to debut, as the pressure of the pandemic lockdown really started to kick in, with many people finding particular trouble sleeping.
(*two*)
(Image credit: Fitbit)Now, though, Fitbit faces a real challenge: what can it add to make the Sense 2 as impressive as its predecessor? EDA technology alone won't be enough (Fitbit has built the same sensor into the smaller, more affordable Fitbit Charge 5), and according to details uncovered in the app's installation files, the new watch will have the same resolution. screen, so it's unlikely to look radically different.
It doesn't look like the long-awaited premium Fitbit smartwatch powered by Google Wear OS. The fact that her apparent codename (either "Rhea" or "Hera") was found in the Fitbit Android app APK suggests that she'll stick with the same Fitbit OS, which she isn't. There was no mention of Wear OS. to be found.
no sweat
So what could Fitbit do differently this time? My prediction is continuous stress monitoring, so you don't have to manually access the EDA app and take time out of your day to do spot checks. In fact, I'd be tempted to put money into it.
News broke last week that Google (the parent company of Fitbit) was seeking FDA approval for an algorithm that would allow its fitness trackers to detect heart rate irregularities throughout the day. If your app is successful, you will no longer need to open the ECG app on your watch to check for signs of atrial fibrillation. Instead, your watch will run its own checks every two hours or so (depending on your activity level) and alert you if it detects an unusual heart rhythm, and the Sense 2 may be able to track EDA responses in exactly the same way.
With an EDA sensor built into the back of the watch, Fitbit Sense 2 can measure EDA responses when it detects you're sitting and can even provide alerts when it senses you're starting to feel tight, then guide you through a breath. . exercises to help you regain control.
We're keeping an eye out for any further clues about the Fitbit Sense 2 and rumored Versa 4 coming at the same time, and we'll let you know as soon as we know more.