fitbit

In 2021, Google acquired Fitbit. Not much changed right away. Recently, I switched my device’s account from Fitbit to Google before the deadline to do so in 2025. This was prompted by a hard reset of my Pixel 8 which was having “touch screen” issues. Immediately, I lost the ability to log into the Windows app (no way to login with Google credentials). I guess I should have seen that coming as Google dropped support for PC and Mac apps in 2022. My device also stopped recording my sleep and started reporting spinning activity incorrectly. After two calls to support, it ends up the device was somehow switched to “clip” mode vs. “wrist” mode.

If you’ve used any Fitbit devices, you’ll know that they don’t last forever. My original Flex lasted quite a few years but the Inspire 2, without a rubber wrist band to protect it, gets quite a bit of abuse. For some months now, it’s been cumbersome to use the on-screen display. There’s not too many options replacing it: the Inspire 3 and Inspire HR just really cost more money, and I’m not ready to switch to a watch-type device like the Pixel Watch 2. Plus, the Google Fit app doesn’t connect to any Fitbit devices directly (though I think it can if you connect the apps through Google’s HealthConnect. Kinda strange, Google). But fitness tracking is great for my health and addictively so; which is a good thing as my motivation for exercise remains constant. And at a replacement cost of $62 for the Inspire 2 from Amazon.com, it’s a lot less expensive than a gym membership!