November 10, 2023, 4:12 p.m. |
Reading time: 3 minutes
In 2021, Google took over the manufacturer Fitbit and has since released fitness trackers and smartwatches under the brand name. However, Google would like to continue to focus on its own Pixel products. Fitbit will soon no longer be available in some countries.
Specifically, there are 29 countries in which sales of Google’s fitness trackers and smartwatches will be discontinued. Google itself justifies this The step is to better adapt the hardware portfolio to the regional availability of the pixels. The sales stop affects not only the devices themselves, but also the Fitbit software including the subscription.
Google surprisingly stops selling Fitbit products
It was actually hoped that Fitbit products would be more available in different markets after taking over the brand. Now the sale is surprisingly stopped. Germany is not affected by the sales stop. However, there are some countries in Europe where Fitbit devices will no longer be available. These include:
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
Outside Europe, Google is stopping sales primarily in South America and some countries in Asia:
- Hong Kong
- Korea
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Philippines
- Argentina
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Guatemala
- Mexico
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Venezuela
What does the sales stop mean for users?
Fitbit products will soon no longer be available for sale in the countries mentioned. The company did not reveal exactly when Google planned the stop. Existing stocks are likely to be sold off first. Also important is the news that the subscription platform will also be discontinued in the 29 countries and existing subscriptions will not be renewed. After the end of the current billing period, Fitbit Premium should be able to be used for another 30 days before Google switches the accounts to basic access.
Even if users buy a Fitbit fitness tracker while on vacation, they cannot use it to its full extent in their home country without Fitbit Premium. The premium subscription gives access to more in-depth analyses, a health report from 12 months of data and various other additional functions.
However, Google emphasizes in its announcement that the discontinued sale of Fitbit devices has no impact on existing users. “We remain committed to our customers and have not made any changes that impact the existing Fitbit devices they already own,” the company said. Existing Fitbit customers will continue to have access to customer support, software and security updates, and receive the usual guarantees for their products.
Read about this from our colleagues at FITBOOK: Sales of Fitbit products stopped – can I still use my fitness tracker?
In Germany, Google recently launched its latest fitness tracker, the Fitbit Charge 6. The device not only offers a pedometer and sleep tracker, it can also be used to monitor blood oxygen (SpO2), heart rate variability and breathing rate at night. Users can also use their device to make contactless payments, listen to music or track routes on Google Maps.