Google is working on a high-end Fitbit device that runs its own operating system, Wear OS, but what will it look like and how will it work? Google finalized its acquisition of Fitbit earlier this year, and executives from both companies announced their plans for the new device at this year's Google IO event on May 18. They haven't provided any information about its features, design, or release date, but we can make some guesses as to what it may be. At the same event, Google said it plans to bring Fitbit apps to Wear OS, so expect the new premium device to essentially be a Wear OS smartwatch that puts those features front and center. Details are scant so far, but we know these will include activity tracking and 'celebrations' when you hit goals like your daily step goal.
User interface
However, we don't expect Fitbit's new interface to resemble a standard Wear OS watch. Fitbit devices have always been designed with usability in mind: their clear menus, icons, and animations mean you can pick one up and start tracking your vital stats with very little guidance. Here's hoping a Wear OS-powered Fitbit is affordable too. There may be a ``skin'' at the top of the OS to provide a separate Fitbit-style interface (much like the Samsung One UI or Google Pixel UI on Android phones).
Fitbit devices are known for their clean, easy-to-use interfaces (Image credit: Fitbit) Despite the change in operating system, the new Fitbit premium will sync with Fitbit's standard smartphone app. It will require a major update to support WearOS, but we don't expect its design to change too significantly. Fitbit has poured resources into improving the app over the past few months, including adding a host of new Deepak Chopra meditation tools, so it's unlikely it's planning a complete interface overhaul any time soon.
Design Notes
When the Fitbit Inspire 2, Versa 3, and Sense launched in late 2020, the company's senior vice president of design, Jonah Becker, explained that the company's designers had created a new "bio-industrial design language" that features soft curves and shapes inspired by the human body. .
The new premium Fitbit may have a ``squirrel'' shape similar to the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 (Image credit: Ida Blix) We expect the new premium Fitbit to follow a similar theme, with smooth lines and rounded edges. However, we do not expect a round sphere. "There is visual comfort with traditional circular watches," Becker said in 2020, "but smartwatches feel more comfortable with the rectilinear shape." Soft silicone wristbands are likely to be on the cards (Fitbits are designed to be worn during training, after all), but we expect a range of smarter wristbands to become available as well. When it announced the new Fitbit Luxe earlier this year, the company was keen to draw attention to jewelry designer Gorjana's optional silver and gold bracelets, and we wouldn't be surprised if the new premium Fitbit had a similar option to add. a touch of class.
The Fitbit Luxe was the first Fitbit device with an optional premium metal band (Image credit: Fitbit) We think the final piece of the puzzle could be a lifetime Fitbit Premium membership, giving users access to a wide range of additional workouts, mindfulness sessions, and historical data in the Fitbit app. New Fitbit users already get a free trial of the paid service when registering their device, but it makes sense that a smartwatch specifically marketed as ``premium'' would come with an unlimited access subscription as standard.
Price and release date
Fitbit isn't in the habit of divulging details of its devices before launch (unless they accidentally leaked a few days before, as was the case with the Fitbit Luxe), so we don't expect to get much warning beforehand. the new premium smartwatch is available for pre-order. However, we can make assumptions about its price. Fitbit's current flagship device, the Fitbit Sense, went on sale last year for $329 / £299 / AU$499.95. As a high-end device, the new smartwatch is likely to be more expensive than that, but maybe not by much. The new watch will compete with the reasonably priced Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, so Fitbit won't be able to push it too high.
The Fitbit Sense is the company's most expensive device to date (Image credit: Fitbit) Alternatively, the new watch may not be more expensive than the Sense. 9to5Google has spotted that the Sense US price has dropped to €299 on Fitbit's US website, and the lack of a 'sale' tag indicates that the price change may be permanent. In this case, it's possible that the top-of-the-line smartwatch was around the same launch price as the Sense, so the company had to lower its prices to ensure the Sense remains a tempting proposition. Of course, there's no way to know for sure at this point, we can only make educated guesses, but we'll keep you posted as soon as we know more. Today's best Fitbit deals
