Google's digital wallet may soon be coming to a few Fitbit models.
In late 2019, Google acquired the wearable tech company Fitbit for a whopping $2.1 billion. However, the tech giant took its time to integrate Google products into the wearable devices. In fact, Google may just now be starting to.
According to The Verge, Google will begin to integrate its products into Fitbit devices beginning this fall. In fact, the upcoming Pixel Watch has already been announced to be getting a Fitbit integration. In addition, the rumored Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 may also finally see some Google Wallet integration.
Google Wallet Integration Expected in At Least Two New Fitbit Models
As per the newest version of Android's Play Services, signs point to the addition of the Fitbit smartwatch support to Google Wallet and Google Pay, which will include a new menua with graphics that appear like a "squircle" Fitbit smartwatch. Images reported on by 9to5Google showed a "Fitbit watch illustration" but does not confirm whether the tech giant's payment system will replace Fitbit Pay or if there is another type of Google Wallet integration similar to the way Samsung smartwatches allow its users to download Google Wallet.
The report suggested that it may also be Google's way of adding its payment system to Fitbit Pay as a means of supporting older Fitbit models. Currently, the only integration between Fitbit and Google is Google's Assistant. Alexa was added as a digital assistant to devices beginning with the Fitbit Versa 2. Google Assistant then became an option for Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense.
Fitbit Prepares to Launch First Flagship Devices Since Google Acquisition
Fitbit has had its own payment service called Fitbit Pay for quite a while now. Google, on the other hand, has transitioned from Google Pay to a better payment platform called Google Wallet that is built into its Play Services.
Recent regulatory listings and leaked renders have shown that Fitbit ios preparing to launch two new fitness smartwatches this year, namely the Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4, both of which are the first flagships to launch following the 2019 Google acquisition. This is indicative that the two new models may have Google Wallet integration when it arrives later this year.
Visual evidence found in Play Services indicate that the app has added a new menu that shows Fitbit's signature square watches, which are the exact shape of the Versa 4 and Sense 2. The feature is reportedly still early in development.
Fitbit Charge 5 Update Gets Negative Reviews
Fitbit fans are looking forward to the Versa 2 and Sense 2 releases following months of dealing with battery and connection issues on the Charge 5. According to TechRadar, many users of the Charge 5 had been complaining about frequent disconnection of the device from their phones and battery drain
In late July, Fitbit also released Version 3.64.4 of the Fitbit app, which added changes to the way the app presented information, earning some negative comments from users. While Fitbit said that the visual updates to the graphs and data were made to make reading them easier to read, some users felt it was quite unnecessary.
Because of these changes, the Google Play Store has been inundated with verified negative reviews and criticisms of the new graphs and oxygenation charts. Whether Fitbit listens to the feedback in time for the Versa 4 and Sense 2 release remains to be seen.
Related Article: Fitbit App Hints That Pixel Watch Will Have Short Battery Life
