- Google Health now replaces the Fitbit app for most users
- Many Fitbit fans are unhappy with the switch due to lack of features
- Google has promised that there will be continuous updates and fixes
We’re now at the stage where the Google Health app has replaced the Fitbit app for most users on Android and iOS, and Google has just released an update that promises regular improvements and bug fixes, as well as a commitment to listening to feedback – and there’s an awful lot of feedback to go through.
We got a hint of the user revolt that was coming when the Google Health update started rolling out, but now that everyone has the new app, the number of negative reactions has increased exponentially. Users complain about missing features, poor UI choices, and AI they don’t really want.
“It’s just a horrible app,” is one of the reactions on Reddit that sums up the general sentiment. Other commenters describe the Google Health update as “incredibly bad”, “clumsy” and repeatedly showing “wrong data”.
While a few bumps along the road are to be expected in a major switch like this, it seems users really, really don’t like what they see. Formerly loyal Fitbit fans — many of whom have owned Fitbits since before Google bought the company — now say they’re switching to Garmin and other competitors.
Fixes and upgrades coming
wtf is this bs app? I want a refund from r/fitbit
Many complaints center around the new look of the Google Health app, which is busier and messier than the old Fitbit. A lot of space is also given to the Google Health AI Coach, although advanced AI features are only available to those with Google Health Premium (formerly Fitbit Premium) subscriptions.
According to the survey we ran earlier this month, only 20% of you will shell out money for the extra AI Coach features, and that’s a sentiment reflected in the feedback we’re seeing online: most users still prefer to analyze their stats themselves.
The food logging features of the new Google Health app have also received some criticism, and that’s actually something Google says it will address. The ability to “add custom food view, creation and logging” is included in a long list of upgrades to be rolled out starting this week.
Other bug fixes and improvements cover issues with exercise tracking (including runs that are inaccurately tagged), calorie tracking and missing sleep results, as well as making the AI Coach “more concise” in its responses. Google clearly has a lot of work to do with its new app, and it’s reflected in the reaction from users.
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