to begin with this summertime , Fitbit threw down the gauntlet with theambitious Fitbit Senseand a revamped Versa 3 . But while these gadgets establish a few months ago , some of themarquee featuresteased in August were still MIA . Well , not anymore . Fitbit OS 5.1 is shore today for U.S. users and the updates included are some of the most substantial we ’ve project in a long time .
For starters , you could now apply Google Assistant on the Sense and Versa 3 , making this perhaps the first smartwatch that lets you choose between two of the three major digital assistants . Samsung locks you into Bixby , a nothingburger helper thatmight before long take a backseatto Google Assistant on Samsung ’s own phones . The Apple Watch force play Siri , anotherincompetentdingus , down your throat . And until now , Google Assistant for the wrist was largely limited to have on OS gadget . Fitbit introduced Amazon Alexa to its gadget with theVersa 2last year , but this update gives you option .
The power to choose is major , and thepending Google - Fitbit mergerprobably had something to do with Fitbits advance Google Assistant compatibility . It ’s also great news for Android exploiter , as it give them several more options for a full - featured smartwatch with fewer trade - offs . While Samsung ’s Galaxy smartwatches are great , many of the well features are only for exploiter with Samsung phones . Meanwhile , Wear OS slots nicely into Google ’s ecosystem but is theugly stepsisterof smartwatch political platform .
Photo: Victoria Song/Gizmodo
https://gizmodo.com/fitbit-unveils-new-software-for-versa-3-and-sense-zilc-1845192949
To enable Google Assistant , you first have to download the Fitbit OS 5.1 update . Once that ’s done , you may tap Account on the top left of the Fitbit app . You then select either the Sense or Versa 3 , take Voice Assistant , select Google Assistant , and then access to Google to link up accounts . alas , as with the Fitbit OS 5.0 update , this is only for the Versa 3 and Sense . Versa 2 users are out of luck . A Fitbit interpreter told Gizmodo that the skip is due to the fact that the Versa 2 does n’t have a speaker .
Alexa on the sensory faculty and Versa 3 is also have a hike . On the Versa 2 , Alexa queries resulted in understood answers on your carpus . ( Honestly … that ’s preferable in my humble vox populi . ) However , now you may get hearable replies as well from the Sense or Versa 3 ’s built - in speaker .
Another cock-a-hoop update is that both iOS and Android users will be able-bodied to take shout directly on the wrist , provided their telephone set is nearby . No Fitbit so far has cellular capability , so this is more for instances when your earphone is in another way . Android drug user get a piffling bit extra — they can now react to text content with voice - to - text command .
finally , Fitbit ’s also tweaking its SpO2 features for both spotter . Previously , in ordination to get SpO2 readings , you had to download the SpO2 clock boldness . ( This does n’t lend oneself to Estimated Oxygen Variation readings , which also utilize the SpO2 sensors . ) It was frankly kind of annoying , pay that sort of nerfs the whole point of having a huge gallery of clock faces . However , Fitbit OS 5.1 will make SpO2 readings at night automatic — meaning you do n’t have to employ a specific clock face to get that metric . Fitbit also says it ’s adding seven more SpO2 clock face to the App Gallery by the end of the year , in example you want an SpO2 clock boldness but do n’t peculiarly like the one option currently available .
These are all right features , but this update is especially cracking for anyone look for more affordable option to the premium flagship smartwatches out there . The Fitbit Sense is the more expensive of the two , and that ’s $ 330—$70 cheaper than the GPS - only 40mmApple Watch Series 6and the same as a cellular 40mmApple Watch SE . It ’s also cheaper than the $ 400 BluetoothGalaxy Watch 3 , which is presently the honest full - featured smartwatch for Android user with Samsung phones . It was a major disappointment when Samsung revealed earlier this fall that non - Samsung smartphone userswould not get the ECG app , which can take electrocardiograms take in by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration . The Fitbit Sense can take ECGs regardless of smartphone platform , and given today ’s update , the Sense is now more of a compelling choice for Android users . Not to mention those who do n’t give a flying Bronx cheer about ECGs can also opt for the even cheaper $ 230 Versa 3 without giving up SpO2 - tracking .
frankly , today ’s update is a huge whole step toward shut the opening between Fitbit and Samsung . At this point , the master things carry Fitbit back from snatching the “ Best Smartwatch for Android ” statute title are aim ( no one really hump a squircle Apple Watch clone ) and the lack of LTE . Fix that , and maybe Android users will in the end get a smartwatch that ticks off all the right box .
AndroidConsumer TechFitbitGadgetsSmartwatchesvoice assistantswearables
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