The Fitbit Air is great, but Google’s AI is too nice to be your “coach”

The latest Fitbit Air is revolutionizing the smartwatch landscape by stripping away unnecessary features while focusing on health tracking. Priced at $100, this device abandons the traditional screen format, opting instead for a compact puck design that houses advanced health sensors, making it easy to forget you’re wearing it. What sets the Fitbit Air apart is its integration with Google’s AI-driven health platform. Without a speaker or extensive on-device controls, the tracker relies on a single LED indicator for battery status. Users can check the battery level with a simple double-tap, but there are limited interactive features. The vibration motor is solely for alarms, as there’s no screen to display notifications from your smartphone, streamlining the user experience. The standard Performance Band, crafted from smooth polyester yarn, is sturdy yet tends to absorb moisture. For those engaging in swimming or intense workouts, the silicone active band is a more practical choice, offering a sporty aesthetic while concealing the Air puck effectively. While the $35 price tag for the silicone band seems steep, it pales in comparison to the $50 Elevated band, which offers a more refined look but may not justify the cost given its minimal improvements. Despite Google’s previous efforts to maintain proprietary connectors for Pixel Watches, the third-party band options have been limited and underwhelming. The Fitbit Air simplifies this aspect, allowing the tracker to easily snap into place with a loop or frame. As the market evolves, there is hope for a greater variety of bands at more reasonable prices, as Google’s current offerings are notably high-priced.