If there was ever a moment when Google seemed poised to distance itself from Fitbit following its acquisition, that sentiment has shifted dramatically. The tech giant is now fully embracing Fitbit, as evidenced by the recent announcement of the Material 3 Expressive redesign for the Fitbit app. This update is being hailed as one of the most extensive applications of Google’s new design language to date, according to insights from 9to5Google.
What’s new in the Fitbit Material 3 Expressive redesign
The redesign brings a host of visual enhancements that are immediately noticeable. A streamlined bottom navigation bar has been introduced, accompanied by a convenient pull-down sync gesture that can be activated from any of the four main tabs. This intuitive feature enhances user interaction, making the app feel more responsive.
When syncing, users will encounter a distinctive loading indicator that cycles through various shapes, adding a modern touch to the experience. Upon completion of the sync, the “Fitbit Premium” label gracefully transitions into a linear progress bar, further enhancing the app’s aesthetic appeal.
The new Material 3 Expressive shapes now celebrate completed goals with checkmarks, providing a gratifying visual cue for achievements. The Today, Fitness, and Sleep feeds feature a unique sheet design, with key statistics layered against a thematic background that complements the status and app bars. Detailed cards scroll on a separate sheet, utilizing teal for Fitness and purple for Sleep. However, it is worth noting that the app currently does not support Dynamic Color, meaning that certain UI elements, such as the bottom bar and Floating Action Button (FAB), maintain a default blue accent.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of this redesign is the “fluid and natural motion” that permeates the app. Reports indicate that navigation feels seamless, particularly when swiping back from detailed stat pages. Charts load smoothly from left to right upon launching the app, creating a cohesive user experience. Additionally, users can look forward to the AI-powered Personal Health Coach, developed with Gemini, which serves as a multifaceted fitness trainer, sleep coach, and health advisor.
The Material 3 Expressive rollout continues
This latest iteration of the Fitbit app exemplifies Google’s commitment to the Material 3 Expressive design philosophy, showcasing a level of visual refinement and animation fluidity that surpasses even the new Google Home app. Google is clearly dedicated to implementing this design language across its services, with Fitbit leading the way.
The redesign, along with the AI health coach, is set to launch next year, although the current public preview is limited to users in the United States. For those Fitbit users who have already experienced the significant overhaul of the app earlier this year, this Material 3 Expressive update signifies a substantial advancement in how health data is accessed and interacted with.
