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As a Fitbit fan that just deleted my account to keep the data from Google... I'm not sure where you get this "They are literally putting a doctor on everyone's

As a Fitbit fan that just deleted my account to keep the data from Google... I'm not sure where you get this "They are literally putting a doctor on everyone's wrist" thing. I had a Fitbit Ionic, their most expensive smartwatch at the time, and it was a somewhat helpful heartrate monitor. It had an SpO2 sensor built in which was advertised, but it didn't work in the years I had the watch on my wrist, and only recently became an available feature, around when Apple added the same to theirs. And Apple put an ECG machine on people's wrists. Even my SO's Watch SE, which lacks the fancier new sensors is lightyears beyond where Fitbit is. And Google will destroy Fitbit. If you think Fitbit is as revolutionary as you say, than you should be supporting every possible way to prevent Google from adding it to their graveyard.

deeviant 6y ago
In here you are on internet. Quick, you should destroy your computer, it's full of spies. Also, is your apartment full faraday shrouded? No? You should get on that.
breck 6y ago
> And Google will destroy Fitbit. If you think Fitbit is as revolutionary as you say, than you should be supporting every possible way to prevent Google from adding it to their graveyard. You could be right about this, but Apple absolutely was cleaning FitBit's clock and I think if they didn't make a big move they might have gone bankrupt. It's just so, so, so incredibly difficult to pack billions of pieces perfectly into a tiny device that people can wear all day on their wrists and make hundreds of millions of them. I hope it goes well with Goog. The world needs more of these. > I had a Fitbit Ionic, The Ionic was good, the Versa 2 a big step up (haven't gotten the new one yet but will soon). I also have an Apple Watch SE. The Apple Watch is impressive, but for health I still prefer FitBit hands down. The sleep data is absolutely essential, and the ~1 day battery life in the Apple Watch pales next to the ~1 week in FitBit. I guess I could get 2 apple watches, and swap them before bedtime, but rather just wear the fitbit. I don't care about having the web on my wrist or videos, I just want health stuff. > "They are literally putting a doctor on everyone's wrist" It's all about the trends. At first remember, ~10 years ago, it was just step counting (and lousy at that). Now there are what, 15 - 20 sensors in that thing? Heart rate, blood oxygen, temperature, motion, etc. Apple is doing amazing things here too. Garmin as well. And FitBit. They all are doing heroic work here. It's changing healthcare, and we're not even at the 1% level yet. I've spent a few years in medical research, this is the future of medical research.
- ocdtrekkie 6y ago
  I probably would've bought a Versa 2 had Google not acquired. Unfortunately, Google being anywhere in range of a product makes it radioactive. I'd definitely agree the battery life on Fitbit is a huge deal, I used to get a week out of my Ionic, though as it has aged, it's good for less than a day (replaceable batteries needs to be a thing again in tech). The sleep data was pretty interesting, although I don't feel like it was ever actionable for me. I absolutely think there are opportunities for health (in another comment, I talk about a personal experience with my Fitbit), but Google will not be the one leading the charge on that. Their focus is, and will always be, ad revenue.
  - breck 6y ago
    You could be right. I am also worried about a FitBit under Google. But no one came up with a better alternative and the competition was too great. I would have loved if FitBit could have remained independent. It would have taken a true believer like an Elon to make it happen.
- AlexandrB 6y ago
  > I've spent a few years in medical research, this is the future of medical research. Sadly, I think the real money will be in using health data for fine-grained insurance pricing. "Oh, you want our preferred rates? Then wear a FitBit/Apple Watch and let us see your data."
  - blackaspen 6y ago
    "The data indicates you may be at a higher risk for something expensive, so we're going to start charging you more"
  - jakear 6y ago
    To play devil’s advocate, why should the active healthy subsidize the lifestyles of the sedentary? It makes a lot of sense for people to pay less for health insurance based on their fitness.
Animats 6y ago
Apple put an ECG machine on people's wrists. Are there enough sensors yet for lie detection? Pulse, check. Respiration, check. EEG, check. Voice stress, check. Rapid eye movements, check. Voice recognition, check. Look for this soon in employer provided apps.

deeviant 6y ago

In here you are on internet. Quick, you should destroy your computer, it's full of spies. Also, is your apartment full faraday shrouded? No? You should get on that.

breck 6y ago

> And Google will destroy Fitbit. If you think Fitbit is as revolutionary as you say, than you should be supporting every possible way to prevent Google from adding it to their graveyard. You could be right about this, but Apple absolutely was cleaning FitBit's clock and I think if they didn't make a big move they might have gone bankrupt. It's just so, so, so incredibly difficult to pack billions of pieces perfectly into a tiny device that people can wear all day on their wrists and make hundreds of millions of them. I hope it goes well with Goog. The world needs more of these. > I had a Fitbit Ionic, The Ionic was good, the Versa 2 a big step up (haven't gotten the new one yet but will soon). I also have an Apple Watch SE. The Apple Watch is impressive, but for health I still prefer FitBit hands down. The sleep data is absolutely essential, and the ~1 day battery life in the Apple Watch pales next to the ~1 week in FitBit. I guess I could get 2 apple watches, and swap them before bedtime, but rather just wear the fitbit. I don't care about having the web on my wrist or videos, I just want health stuff. > "They are literally putting a doctor on everyone's wrist" It's all about the trends. At first remember, ~10 years ago, it was just step counting (and lousy at that). Now there are what, 15 - 20 sensors in that thing? Heart rate, blood oxygen, temperature, motion, etc. Apple is doing amazing things here too. Garmin as well. And FitBit. They all are doing heroic work here. It's changing healthcare, and we're not even at the 1% level yet. I've spent a few years in medical research, this is the future of medical research.

ocdtrekkie 6y ago
I probably would've bought a Versa 2 had Google not acquired. Unfortunately, Google being anywhere in range of a product makes it radioactive. I'd definitely agree the battery life on Fitbit is a huge deal, I used to get a week out of my Ionic, though as it has aged, it's good for less than a day (replaceable batteries needs to be a thing again in tech). The sleep data was pretty interesting, although I don't feel like it was ever actionable for me. I absolutely think there are opportunities for health (in another comment, I talk about a personal experience with my Fitbit), but Google will not be the one leading the charge on that. Their focus is, and will always be, ad revenue.
- breck 6y ago
  You could be right. I am also worried about a FitBit under Google. But no one came up with a better alternative and the competition was too great. I would have loved if FitBit could have remained independent. It would have taken a true believer like an Elon to make it happen.
AlexandrB 6y ago
> I've spent a few years in medical research, this is the future of medical research. Sadly, I think the real money will be in using health data for fine-grained insurance pricing. "Oh, you want our preferred rates? Then wear a FitBit/Apple Watch and let us see your data."
- blackaspen 6y ago
  "The data indicates you may be at a higher risk for something expensive, so we're going to start charging you more"
- jakear 6y ago
  To play devil’s advocate, why should the active healthy subsidize the lifestyles of the sedentary? It makes a lot of sense for people to pay less for health insurance based on their fitness.

Animats 6y ago

Apple put an ECG machine on people's wrists. Are there enough sensors yet for lie detection? Pulse, check. Respiration, check. EEG, check. Voice stress, check. Rapid eye movements, check. Voice recognition, check. Look for this soon in employer provided apps.