At this point if I can’t put cfw on it I don’t want it.
The Fitbit Sense line is cooked because it was too good for Google
Submitted 2 days ago by floofloof@lemmy.ca to technology@lemmy.world
https://www.androidauthority.com/fitbit-sense-end-opinion-3546883/
Comments
Venus_Ziegenfalle@feddit.org 2 days ago
taladar@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
cfw?
Venus_Ziegenfalle@feddit.org 2 days ago
Custom firmware, like an OS that doesn’t depend on google.
mac@lemm.ee 2 days ago
I opt for the happy middle route- I use gadgetbridge on a huawei watch fit 3 so I still get good stats/UX but I’m not reporting back to anyone.
I am eyeing the new pebble watches, though
sol@lemm.ee 2 days ago
I haven’t used it but the Bangle.js 2 looks almost perfect for a cheap, open/hackable GPS smartwatch. I’m always surprised I don’t hear more about it. Leads me to believe it’s not as good as it seems, but very interested to hear if anyone has real life experience of it.
Currently I just stick with my Garmin. I’d prefer something more open but it’s good at what it does and pretty durable.
photonic_sorcerer@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 days ago
I have one, it’s not great but it’s not terrible. The heart rate monitor leaves much to be desired and I’ve never gotten the GPS to work. It’s pretty cool if you need a new project to sink some time into.
Keineanung@lemmy.world 2 days ago
What’s the tricky part about the GPS? I am considering buying it, but GPS would be essential.
gac11@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Can anyone comment on the Bangle.js 2 vs. the Pinetime?
I doubt I’d be customizing firmware in the Pinetime so I’m thinking Bangle.js might be a better option.
My use case is mostly around walking/running tracking and maybe heart rate checks. I don’t think I really care about much integration with my phone
magikmw@lemm.ee 2 days ago
I had two fitbit trackers before getting Sense, and honestly, I keep it on life support, buying replacement 3rd party straps and charging cables.
When it inevitably dies, I’d move on. I never found a use for Google assistant, it can’t even set my google maps navigation properly, can’t set a reminder.
The only thing it ever did of value to me is 5 minutes of asking it for a joke.
Speculater@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Garmin Instincts are amazing. Looks like a dumb watch, has most smartwatch features, the 3 Solar version lasts 40 days between charges.
e8d79@discuss.tchncs.de 2 days ago
Garmin is currently in the process of enshittifing their products as well.
floofloof@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
I found Google Assistant on the Sense useful for reminders. That was about all I used it for, and it was a bit annoying that Google took it away. It’s odd that these Google-made smartwatches now only support Amazon’s voice assistant.
termaxima@programming.dev 2 days ago
Really waiting for someone to make the Fairphone of smart watches…
wreckedcarzz@lemmy.world 2 days ago
And then it can be another product that isn’t available globally, like the Fairphone…
Don’t worry, the FP will come to NA any day now… aaaaaaaaany day now…
termaxima@programming.dev 2 days ago
Things seem to be moving the other way with the tariffs. Framework is not shipping to the US anymore, Fairphone is probably not even going to try.
golli@lemm.ee 2 days ago
There’s currently a Kickstarter going on for a watch that aims to be modular and repairable. It’s called UNA Watch.
Look interesting, but imo with these things it’s a bit of a chicken and egg problem, where the upgradeability/repairability only has value, if it is actually provided in the future (and economically viable). Something that can only be proven in time, but requires people to trust it before.
neukenindekeuken@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
Check out the revived Pebble watch
Kelsier@lemmy.world 2 days ago
What about the new core time watch? Basically the pebble time watch
termaxima@programming.dev 2 days ago
That’s probably what I’m going to end up getting, but it doesn’t seem to have the same commitment to repairability FairPhone does.
I do like that I’m finally going to be able to make my own watch face so that I can be as weird as I want (chiefly, Solar Time and Feels-Like temperature)
Litebit@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Never really liked fitbit when they used subscription model to access your detailed data, I don’t mind other stuff under subscription, but blocking detail on your own data under a sub was the nail in fitbit coffin.
Squizzy@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Garmin is good, their pay system was handy and I liked it not being google.
That said smartwatches are boring. They went the wrong direction.
floofloof@lemmy.ca 1 day ago
The new Pebble watches look interesting. Relatively basic, but long battery life and open-source operating system.
Litebit@lemmy.world 19 hours ago
yea, pebble does seem good enough, will see when it’s released.
falynns@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Una Watch from a small team in Ireland has a promising vision for those who want to rid themselves of Google. I had a Fitbit step tracker that didn’t fit into Google’s plans so they made it unusable after Fitbit cashed out.
I’m glad Fitbit got paid but that doesn’t mean we’re stuck with Google.
egonallanon@lemm.ee 2 days ago
Ooh that looks quite promising. I’ll keep an eye on those guys.
AtariDump@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Fitbit bought Pebble like fucking Judge Doom bought the Red Car; fuck Fitbit.
andybytes@programming.dev 2 days ago
Capitalist Innovation Smash the other kids sand castles So your shitty little sand castle is the only one standing… this is literally American foreign policy. Your children die for incompetent suits.
roserose56@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
Fitbit was a great product! and yes I agree with others, big companies like google destroy the ones who make good products, things that they work and you most likely buy it again.
Landless2029@lemmy.world 2 days ago
My sense 1 died a month ago and I got a sense 2. Mainly because of the battery life on any wearos device doesn’t compete at all with the sense series.
Oddly enough I didn’t notice the lack of features since I don’t use them.
indomara@lemmy.world 2 days ago
I unfortunately am a victim of this. My Sense was great. Then a forced update pushed despite never allowing the Fitbit app to update. Now the battery life is horrible and I am of course encouraged to buy a new one and move my Fitbit information to Google.
brot@feddit.org 2 days ago
It’s a really horrible way of doing business. Fitbit had its own niche, kind of great products, name recognition, global distribution and more. Then Google came, bought them and now we’re left with one Pixel watch, everything else on life support and a destroyed company.
zebbedi@lemmy.world 2 days ago
Exact same thing they did to Nest too.
floofloof@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
It’s the Google way. They frequently shut down even good and popular products of their own when they don’t align with some obscure corporate plan.
dinckelman@lemmy.world 2 days ago
That’s just the reality of these tech circles. The goal isn’t to complete. The goal is to eliminate your competition, one way or another.
It’s happened with smartwatches, it happened with Nest, it happened with voice Assistant/Home devices, and it’ll continue happening with the rest of what they make too