AppleInsider Staff
With the launch of the Apple Watch just around the corner, Fitbit has updated its software to support daily use of multiple devices from its ecosystem, while the new Surge has gained bike tracking capabilities.
Fitbit has long sold a range of wearable devices, from pocket-based step trackers to more advanced wrist-worn accessories. Starting this week, Fitbit will launch multi-tracker support, allowing users to switch between their Fitbit hardware throughout their day or week.
This oversight was previously spotlighted by AppleInsider our review of the Fitbit Surge, where we noted that the wrist-worn "super watch" may not be an idea fashion fit with some outfits. In those situations, users may be more inclined to use the Fitbit One step tracker, or even the built-in step tracking functions of recent iPhones and their M-series motion coprocessors.
Once multiple trackers are paired to an account, Fitbit will automatically detect when a user switches from one tracker to another, with no buttons to push on the device or app. All of the steps will be seamlessly captured on the Fitbit dashboard, and users who forget their tracker will have steps counted through the MobileTrack capabilities of the Fitbit app for iOS.
Also coming in a future update is biking workouts for the Fitbit Surge. Users will be able to automatically sync biking workouts, along with other sports tracked through the device, when an update ships to Surge users by next month in North America.
"Our users are passionate about fitness and have consistently requested a way to track their outdoor cycling activity. We are delivering this feature on Fitbit Surge for active consumers looking to track and better understand performance during rides, in addition to their other workouts," said Tim Roberts, VP of Interactive, Fitbit. "Our goal is to provide users with the tools it takes to track their exercise and reward them for doing the activities they love to do most - like biking and running."
The expansion of Fitbit capabilities comes as Apple is set to enter the wearable devices market with the Apple Watch on April 24. Fitbit has also had somewhat of a contentious relationship with Apple, refusing to adopt its HealthKit support in iOS and subsequently seeing its products removed from Apple Store shelves.
Andrew Orr
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
11 Comments
Two more days!
Surely the ?Watch will do this for the person who buys a Sport and an Edition, or even all three ...
Fitbit is going to kill themselves. There is definite room for both them and Apple. The fact they will not integrate with health kit will kill them, possibly, since they do work with other health apps which work with health kit. I have been using health kit for a couple of months now and I like what it does and do not like apps which do not work with health kit or want you to pay extra to get the integration. I think other people will begin seeing the same thing. I personally can see having a FItbit and an Apple watch and I was considering this since I know there will be times I will not want to wear the watch.
Everything happening now is happening "as Apple Watch approaches."
I can't wait to load up a biking route and the watch will lead the way for me, so I don't need to take iPhone out or look at it on the handle bar.