Google expands automatic activity tracking and introduces Health Guardian to Fitbit Air
Google is rolling out a pair of updates to improve automatic activity tracking on its wearable devices and bring more health features to its latest Fitbits. The company announced today that Health Guardian, which it introduced over the summer for the Pixel Watch, will come to Fitbit Air for Google Health Premium subscribers later this month. The service will also be available for the new Fitbit Edge at that time as part of the Premium subscription. Also later this month, Google is announcing the rollout of an automatic activity tracking upgrade for Fitbit Air, Fitbit Edge, and Pixel 3, 4, and 5 watches that nearly doubles its accuracy and expands the list of recognized workouts from 10 to more than 100.
With new Health Guardian features, Fitbit Air and Fitbit Edge users will receive a monthly summary in the Health app of their blood pressure and insulin resistance trends. The in-app health coach will provide lifestyle and wellness recommendations based on these readings, as well as information to help you talk to your doctor about any concerns. “Health Guardian features give you an early indication that something needs attention, much like an overall wellness check light,” Google explains.
Google presented its new Health application a few months ago, which replaced the Fitbit application. It serves as a portal to users’ health, fitness and sleep data, links to other apps including Peloton and MyFitnessPal, and can sync with users’ medical records. Google Health has also partnered with medical technology company Abbott to connect its Lingo continuous glucose monitor to the app, which it says will soon be available to U.S. users.
As for automatic activity tracking, Google says the next update should address the lack of detection for fast-paced activities like tennis, HIIT, and other types of workouts that wearables previously struggled with. In addition to the usual markers like heart rate, Fitbit and Pixel devices will also take into account your movements, routines, manual edits, and location to get a more complete picture of what you’re doing. “These updates make automatic activity tracking significantly more intelligent, reliable, and accurate,” Google says. In testing, the improvements “reduced missed workouts by more than half.”
Google also introduced a new, sleeker band option for the Fitbit Air: a flexible, woven stainless steel design called Metal Mesh. It will be available in Champagne Gold or Polished Silver for $70, or you can get the Champagne Gold variant as a bundle with an Obsidian Fitbit Air for $150 at Target and the Google Store. Pre-orders open next week before Metal Mesh arrives on October 27.
