Google rebrands Fitbit app and launches screenless Fitbit Air

Google made a trio of announcements this morning, all of which involve a new Fitbit, your health, and AI (natch). On the software front is the rebrand of the Fitbit app to Google Health (it had to happen eventually), and the expansion of Google Health Coach that leverages Gemini to provide health, fitness and nutrition insights. And on the hardware front is the new Google Fitbit Air — a screenless fitness tracker similar to a Whoop band. I was briefed on the news last week and I haven't been able to stop thinking about a few aspects of today's news. Rishi Chandra, GM of Health and Home on Google's blog, summarized all three announcements: > -A single-app solution: The Google Health App > > The Fitbit app is entering a new era and leveling up as the Google Health app. With the new app, we’re bringing together all of your health data, from wearable devices, Health Connect, Apple Health and your medical records into a single place. You can get a holistic view of your health, and soon will be able to securely share your data with friends, family and doctors. Existing Fitbit users will automatically get upgraded to the new app, and later this year we will begin migrating Google Fit users into the Google Health app. Streamlining all of your health data into a single app makes sense. It's how Apple Health has worked for years, so I'm glad Google is catching up. I'm saddened by the end of the Fitbit app, but the name lives on in hardware. But to me, the most exciting thing about this announcement is the fact that Google Health will work with Apple Health. Meaning iPhone users will have the option to use whatever fitness device that shares data with Apple Health — be it an Apple Watch, Oura Ring or Whoop band — and that information will sync to Google Health. It won't be available at launch, but eventually Google Health will share with Apple Health. For now, however, it's a one way street of information flowing from Apple Health to Google Health. I have two very distinct and separate data sets of personal health and fitness activity. One lives in Fitbit, the other lives in Apple Health. I cannot wait to merge the two, if for no other reason than the fact that it's my data and I should be able to use it wherever I want. Which brings us to the next announcement, from Chandra: > -Your personalized health companion: Google Health Coach > > Last October, we set out to build a new kind of coach — available 24/7, backed by science and designed to adapt to you and your health needs. It’s a fitness trainer, a sleep coach and a health and wellness advisor — all working together to help you be your best — whether that means maximizing performance on the court, in the office or at home with family. In Public Preview, we have been listening to your feedback and making continuous improvements. Today, we are making the Google Health Coach publicly available as part of Google Health Premium (formerly Fitbit Premium). Premium plans start at $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and are automatically bundled as part of Google AI Pro and Ultra tiers. Having all of my health data in one place where Gemini, sorry, — Google Health Coach — can analyze it and provide feedback is incredibly intriguing to me. Fitness trackers have long had a problem of providing plenty of data but lacked in providing true actionable advice. I've used the public preview off and on for a few months, asking for advice with the limited recent data in the Fitbit app, and it's been a fun experience. For example, during one conversation about my activity level, I mentioned I'd recently had shoulder surgery and couldn't do very much. The coach came up with a plan tailored to my specific scenario after asking me a few follow up questions. I hate to admit I didn't follow it only because I lacked motivation. But, hopefully, with new hardware that might change. Speaking of, let's talk Fitbit Air. Chandra, one more time: > -Our most comfortable Fitbit ever: Fitbit Air > > We believe the right health tools should work for everyone, regardless of their lifestyle or budget. That’s where Fitbit Air comes in. This discreet, screenless tracker is simple, affordable and comfortable enough to wear 24/7. We designed it with the Google Health Coach in mind — its advanced sensor technology provides the right data the coach needs to give you the most personalized guidance. And with the Stephen Curry Fitbit Air Special Edition, you can bring his edge to your own workouts. Every Fitbit Air comes with 3 months free of Google Health Premium, and is available in a variety of colors for $99, or $129 for the Special Edition. The totally on purpose leak was, of course, right. It's a band with a tracker — or pebble, as Google calls it — underneath it. It's loaded with all of the sensors you'd expect in a modern fitness band, and it syncs all of that data directly to your smartphone via the new Google Health app. I can't wait to start using an Air. Like I said before, I'm getting tired of the constant nagging from a smartwatch and am ready for something new. You can preorder an Air today, with deliveries arriving May 26. Much more to come about all of this.