Google launches screenless Fitbit Air and rebrands health services under new Google Health app

Google has officially unveiled the Fitbit Air, a screenless wearable tracker priced at $99.99, as part of a broader strategy to rebrand its health ecosystem. The device, which resembles a small plastic puck, is designed to function without a display or haptic button for notifications, relying entirely on a companion app to visualise data. This approach marks a return to the screenless design philosophy of early Fitbit devices, distinguishing it from the smartwatch trend that has dominated the market.

The Fitbit Air features a suite of health sensors, including heart rate monitoring, an accelerometer/gyroscope, infrared SpO2, and skin temperature detection. Despite the lack of a screen, the device offers a week-long battery life and can store a day of data when not connected to a phone. Google states that product testers rated the Air as more comfortable than competing devices, positioning it as a viable option for 24/7 wear, including sleep tracking. Users can pair the Air with a Pixel Watch, allowing them to switch between the two devices seamlessly as data syncs automatically.

Accompanying the hardware launch is the rebranding of the legacy Fit app into the Google Health app. This new application adopts a Material Expressive aesthetic and removes much of the previous Fitbit branding. The Google Health app includes an AI-powered health coach built on Gemini, which replaces the Fitbit Premium subscription service. This coach is capable of answering health questions, suggesting workouts, and logging nutrition via image uploads, with answers grounded in the user's specific health data.

Google has clarified its stance on data privacy and the use of sensitive health information. The company states it will not use health data for advertising, a policy it maintains across all its health endeavours. Furthermore, Google has added an opt-in toggle in the settings for users who wish to contribute their data for AI training. The purchase of the Fitbit Air includes three months of Google Health Premium, which offers access to the AI coach and other advanced features for a monthly or annual fee.

The legacy Fit app is scheduled to shut down later this year, requiring users to migrate their data to the new Google Health platform. While the Fitbit Air is compatible with the Google and Fitbit ecosystems, including the Pixel Watch, current support does not extend to major competitors like Garmin or Whoop. Google notes that the heart rate monitor in the Air is not as advanced as that found in the latest Pixel Watches, suggesting it may be less accurate during vigorous activity compared to the company's flagship smartwatches.

A special-edition band featuring Steph Curry is available for the Fitbit Air, joining other colour options for the Performance Loop and Elevated Modern Bands. The device is available for preorder today with a launch date set for May 26. As the industry continues to evolve, this launch underscores Google's focus on integrating hardware with advanced software capabilities to provide comprehensive health tracking without the constraints of traditional smartwatch designs.