Fitbit’s Version Of Google Assistant Will ‘stop Working In The Coming Weeks’
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Summary
- Google is shutting down Assistant on Fitbit in the coming weeks.
- Users will receive alerts of Assistant service discontinuation on their gadgets.
- Google may be pushing for Pixel Watch sales by removing Assistant.
Smartwatches may not be to everyone’s liking, but the best ones running Google’s Wear OS are certainly convenient, fusing together basic smartphone apps, fitness tracking, media controls, and other features. However, Google has its own range of Pixel Watches that end up competing with other Google-owned brands. Perhaps in a bid to sway customers in favor of its own label, Google just announced the end of life for Assistant on another brand it owns — Fitbit.
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Google Assistant came to the Fitbit Sense and Versa series five years ago, but it was discontinued even on Android devices in favor of the newer Gemini AI assistant, even though its capabilities aren’t an equal match yet. This transition has affected other wearables and Android Auto too, but users on Reddit are now seeing on-screen alerts about the impending shutdown of Assistant services on their gadgets (via 9to5Google).
Winding down in the next few weeks
Pushing for the Google Pixel Watch
The ongoing shutdown isn’t a surprise, since Fitbit made an announcement about its plans to pull the plug on Assistant back in 2024. Now, it appears service stoppage alerts are rolling out widely, with users spotting it on other models like the Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 as well. At this time, there’s no clarity on whether any Fitbit model will survive with Assistant onboard. That shutdown will wrap up “in the next few weeks,” Fitbit says.
The company suggests resorting to Alexa on your wearables if a voice assistant is indispensable. However, the underlying reason seems connected to Google’s ownership of the Fitbit brand. As a result, sales from here eat into what would have been Pixel Watch sales. Google could harbor hope that pulling out essential features like Assistant will encourage users to get a Pixel Watch the next time they’re in the market for a good smartwatch. However, it might also drive users to non-Google rival brands like Garmin and its massive portfolio of wearable fitness trackers and smartwatches.
An official statement on the Fitbit community page still doesn’t specify if Gemini will step in as a replacement eventually.
