Diabetes monitoring company Dexcom partners with Fitbit, but Apple Watch users not abandoned

After praising the Apple Watch earlier in the year, glucose monitoring software company Dexcom has forged a partnership with Fitbit to integrate the technology into the Ionic smartwatch — but the monitoring featured in the Fitbit device may appear on the Apple Watch with watchOS 4.

With a software update in 2018, the Fitbit Ionic will show a user's date from the G5 mobile sensor. Data will be updated every 5 minutes to wearers of the sensor, allowing for trend tracking for diabetics and athletes.

At present, the Dexcom G5 will pass data through a connected iPhone. However, with the implementation of Core Bluetooth in watchOS 4, the same data can be provided to the user without a connected iPhone after the app is installed on the Apple Watch — and all it will take is an app update.

"The collaboration between Dexcom and Fitbit is an important step in providing useful information to people with diabetes that is both convenient and discreet," Dexcom CEO Kevin Sayer said in a statement about the collaboration. "We believe that providing Dexcom CGM data on Fitbit Ionic, and making that experience available to users of both Android and iOS devices, will have a positive impact on the way people manage their diabetes."

In June, Sayer confirmed the Core Bluetooth features of the Dexcom G5 monitor. He noted at the time that after an initial setup with an iPhone, the capability would enhance the lives of those who relied on the technology for glucose monitoring.

The G5 relies on a small wire about the width as a human hair inserted just below the skin, and dismissed any possibility of external sensor being able to do the measurement at this time.

The company's ultimate goal is to make the wearable the size of a penny, and able to be worn like a band-aid.

2 Comments

macponder 3 comments · 9 Years

About 7 years ago

Dexcom is a strange company. Expensive product to use, but very useful, can very technically savvy.

What's weird is they make folks on Medicare sign a form that they will not use the G5 transmitter with any iPhone or other electronic device. Only their Dexcom receiver (shown) in the picture.

Seems strange, especially since they now are working with the FitBit.
So the young or those able to pay outright for the product can using with iPhone/fitbit.

Apple: please free us from this oppressive this nightmare with an Applewatch/glucose monitor system.

avon b7 8010 comments · 20 Years

About 7 years ago

macponder said:

Dexcom is a strange company. Expensive product to use, but very useful, can very technically savvy.

What's weird is they make folks on Medicare sign a form that they will not use the G5 transmitter with any iPhone or other electronic device. Only their Dexcom receiver (shown) in the picture.

Seems strange, especially since they now are working with the FitBit.
So the young or those able to pay outright for the product can using with iPhone/fitbit.

Apple: please free us from this oppressive this nightmare with an Applewatch/glucose monitor system.

I have no idea how your MediCare system works but did see this on the Dexcom web:

"Note: With the initial Medicare coverage ruling, there is a requirement that patients only use the Dexcom G5 Receiver to view their glucose data and not a smart phone or other device. We realize that many patients want to use their smart phone to view their glucose data and we are continuing to work with CMS regarding this decision. For now, exclusive use of the G5 receiver is the requirement for Medicare reimbursement. Dexcom has no ability to override this decision, therefore, we must advise our customers not to use the app with the Medicare product. If a patient feels it is critical to have the ability to use the app, a non-Medicare reimbursed Dexcom system is available for purchase with a prescription.

The Medicare coverage decision for Dexcom G5 is a victory for patient access, and we hope, a first step in getting access to the entire Dexcom G5 set of capabilities. Beneficiaries should reach out to 1-800-MEDICARE with any questions about the Medicare requirements for Dexcom CGM."

Could it be that this decision was imposed on Dexcom? Like I say, I have no understanding of how the system works, so forgive my ignorance but that's the case.