Health Connect Archives

AppWizard

November 22, 2024

The end of Google Fit? Fitbit looks set to replace it on future Android phones – and bring its AI coach with it

The Oppo Find X8 series has adopted the Fitbit app as its primary fitness application, moving away from Google Fit. This marks the first time a non-Pixel Google smartphone features Fitbit in this capacity. Users can transition their data from Google Fit to Fitbit using Google's Health Connect service. New features for Fitbit, including an AI health coach and an AI-driven Sleep Journal, are in development, with potential availability by the end of the year.

AppWizard

November 22, 2024

Your next Android phone could swap out Google Fit for this alternative

Google is shifting its approach to fitness applications on Android devices, moving from Google Fit as the default app to the Fitbit app. The OPPO Find X8 Pro and Realme GT7 Pro have replaced Google Fit with the Fitbit app, which is now pre-installed on these devices. Google confirmed that the Fitbit app has been available to smartphone manufacturers as a default option since earlier this year, with several manufacturers choosing to preload it. This trend indicates that the Fitbit app is becoming a standard feature across more Android smartphones, and there is anticipation for the integration of Google Fit features into the Fitbit app.

AppWizard

November 22, 2024

Fitbit might come preloaded on your next Android phone

The Oppo Find X8 series introduces a significant change in the Android ecosystem by preloading the Fitbit application instead of the traditional Google apps. The Find X8 and X8 Pro are the first non-Google Android phones to include Fitbit in the standard "Google" app folder, replacing Google Fit, which has been the default fitness tracking application on Android devices. Google has deprecated the Fit API, indicating a strategic shift towards Fitbit as the primary fitness application, with developers required to migrate to Health Connect by June 30, 2025. A Google spokesperson confirmed that the Fitbit app is now available for Android OEMs to preload on their devices, enhancing health and wellness offerings. Despite the availability of the Fitbit app earlier in the year, it has taken until late 2024 for an Android OEM to officially ship devices with Fitbit as the default fitness tracking application.

AppWizard

November 21, 2024

Fitbit is now preloaded as the default fitness app in some Android devices, replacing Google Fit

Fitbit is becoming a default application on Android devices, starting with the Oppo Find X8 series, which replaces Google Fit as the primary fitness tracking app. This change reflects Google's strategy to integrate Fitbit into its ecosystem following its acquisition in 2019. Manufacturers can now include Fitbit in their default app packages, and the Find X8 series is the first to do so. Google has retired the Google Fit API, encouraging developers to transition to Health Connect by June 30, 2025. The shift raises questions about the future of Google Fit and its impact on user experience for those accustomed to it.

AppWizard

November 21, 2024

Google releases Android 16 Developer Preview 1

Google has launched the first Developer Preview of Android 16 for developers to begin early-stage development and testing. This release may have performance issues and applications may not function flawlessly. Android 16 includes system changes that could lead to minor glitches or significant limitations until applications are updated for compatibility. Google plans to implement more frequent API releases, with a major launch expected in Q2 2025, and a minor update projected for Q4 2025. Developers will need to conduct annual compatibility testing earlier due to this new timeline. The SDKINTFULL constant has been introduced for version checks, and developers are encouraged to provide feedback on the APIs. Notable features in the preview include an embedded photo picker and Health Connect APIs for managing medical records. The Developer Preview can be installed on various Google Pixel devices, but stability and performance issues may arise, making it unsuitable for daily use. Known issues include app launch failures and camera problems during video recording. The preview lacks Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) approval, which may affect the performance of some applications, including Google’s native apps.

AppWizard

November 20, 2024

The first Android 16 developer preview is out (much) earlier than expected

Google has released its first developer preview of Android 16, shortly after the rollout of Android 15. The company plans to introduce two significant Android APIs in 2025: a major SDK release in the second quarter and a minor SDK release in the fourth quarter. Key features for Android 16 include an API for managing SDK versions, an embedded photo picker for selective media access, a Health Connect Developer Preview for managing health records in FHIR format, and the latest iteration of the Privacy Sandbox. Developers can experiment with Android 16 on recent Google Pixel devices or through the Android emulator and are encouraged to use a preview version of Android Studio for app development.

AppWizard

November 13, 2024

Here’s how Health Connect will back up your health and fitness data

Google has introduced a backup and restore feature in the Health Connect app, allowing users to export their health and fitness data to Google Drive or other cloud storage providers. This feature addresses the previous lack of backup options, enabling users to safeguard their data when losing devices or transitioning to new ones. The backup and restore menu is located within the Health Connect settings, allowing for scheduled exports on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, stored in a ZIP file at a user-chosen location. However, early testing has revealed that some exported files may be empty. The feature is available on devices running Android 14 and later, as well as the latest version of the Health Connect app compatible with Android 9 or later. Feedback from users is encouraged to improve the experience.

AppWizard

September 27, 2024

Fitbit app downloaded over 100 million times on Google Play Store

The Fitbit Android app has surpassed 100 million downloads in the Google Play Store since its launch on March 16, 2012. It serves as a companion application for Fitbit smartwatches and trackers, available on Android phones and tablets. The app includes features for the latest models, such as widgets and live wallpapers, and extends functionality to the Wear OS platform for the Pixel Watch. A recent interface update introduced new metrics like sleep quality and heart rate. Users are awaiting a dark theme, initially expected in October 2023, which may coincide with a comprehensive redesign of the app. The Google Fit app has also reached 100 million downloads. Looking ahead to 2024, Fitbit plans additional updates, including a revamped settings design and integration of Health Connect, along with an AI-powered feature from Fitbit Labs to enhance user interaction with health data.

AppWizard

August 2, 2024

How to Delete the Health Data Your Android Is Tracking | Lifehacker

Android phones can independently monitor health metrics through applications like Google Fit and Samsung Health, tracking activities such as steps taken, active minutes, and calories burned. Google Fit uses Health Connect to manage health data locally on the smartphone, ensuring encryption, while data synchronized to the cloud is not end-to-end encrypted. Samsung Health also stores data locally with encryption via Knox technology, and offers cloud storage options that are not end-to-end encrypted, though an Enhanced Data Protection mode is available for Samsung Galaxy S24 series users. Users can check and manage their health data tracking preferences in both applications, including options to delete data or stop tracking specific metrics.

AppWizard

May 16, 2024

Google highlights Health Connect updates for user data in I/O segment

Google has introduced enhancements to Health Connect, including background reads and history reads. Developers will need to declare permissions for these features, which aim to provide users with up-to-date health information and a more comprehensive health management experience. Users can easily manage their data sharing settings within Health Connect.