Smartwatches have taken the world by storm and their popularity continues to grow. It’s estimated that over 200 million people around the world sport a smart watch and it’s easy to see why. Not only can they call emergency services when you aren’t responsive but they can also improve your health and fitness with accurate data tracking.
One of the most popular brands in the smartwatch industry is Fitbit and over one-third of all wearables users in the UK have products from this brand. There are plenty of benefits to wearing these products with some of the most common being:
- Tracking your daily steps or long runs
- Monitoring your sleeping patterns
- Assessing your stress levels
- Stylish designs that suit any occasion
However, the world of Fitbit is evolving in the new year with Fitbit being acquired by Google and it will mean changes are on the way for users. To make sure you’re aware of the changes, we’ve put together a handy guide with everything you need to know about what is to come in the Fitbit world. Read on to find out more.
The Acquisition of Fitbit
The acquisition of Fitbit happened at the start of 2021 and while operations will be typically maintained by the brand itself while trading within the Google group, Google has said that they want to improve the privacy and data of Fitbit users.
They confirmed that the health and wellness data collected using Fitbit devices won’t be used for Google ads. Plus, Google wants to utilise its AI capabilities to enhance user experiences and take the Fitbit smartwatches to a whole new level.
Why users will now need a Google account
One important feature that will come with this acquisition is the need for Fitbit users to create and link a Google account to their Fitbit by 2025. Switching to a Google account will enable users to see their health history collected by Fitbit.
The Google account will still provide users with data protection in line with data privacy law for peace of mind. What’s more, Google is adding a new health app policy, which will become effective at the end of May 2024.
What Does Google Health App Policy look like
The new health app policy that’s being introduced by May 2024 will enhance your experience for the following reasons:
- Enhanced medical care
- Facilitating diagnosis and treatment
- More motivation to reach health and fitness goals
- You can use health research apps for future research studies
You will need to meet requirements for the inclusion of content such as access, collection and use or sharing of personal data too.
Summary:
The surge in smartwatch popularity, embrfgaced by over 200 million globally, stems from their diverse functionalities. These devices offer crucial emergency call features and precise health tracking, elevating Fitbit as a prominent player, with a third of UK wearable users favoring its products. Fitbit’s allure lies in step monitoring, sleep analysis, stress assessment, and versatile designs for any occasion.
However, Google’s acquisition of Fitbit in 2021 foretells forthcoming changes. Google emphasizes privacy protection, committing Fitbit data exclusion from ad targeting.
