Public Preview: Google brings revamped Fitbit app to Germany

Google announced a new Fitbit app with a lot of AI - including a personal AI health coach in August 2025 during the Pixel 10 launch. This has been available as a Public Preview for US users since October last year. Since Thursday evening our time, Google is offering the app to initial users in Germany for testing. It can be activated by users of both the free and premium versions on Android and iOS. Google points out that not all functions available in the old app are yet ready in the new version, and switching between the two is easily possible.

According to Google, the public preview version (Public Preview) of the Fitbit app is available for testing in a total of 37 countries in 32 languages. Besides the USA, it is also available in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, India, and others.

To use the health coach and the other new features of the Public Preview, you must have installed at least app version 4.67 or newer (Android and iOS) and be at least 18 years old. Compatible Fitbit products include all generations of Pixel Watches, Inspire 2 and 3, Sense 1 and 2, Charge 5 and 6, and numerous other models that the manufacturer lists in a support document.

To participate in the Public Preview, according to Google, you need to open the Fitbit app and tap on your profile picture in the top right corner. If you are among the chosen ones, the field “Public Preview” will appear there – select “Join Public Preview” here. Google points out that by confirming, health and wellness data will be used for personalized evaluations via AI.

Google explains that the preview will not be released to all users simultaneously; it should appear in the settings over the coming weeks. On an editorial Android device, the Public Preview is not yet offered.

Cardio Fitness Score becomes VO2Max

Another innovation that Google is announcing with the expansion of the preview is the renaming of the “Cardio Fitness Score” to VO2Max, which is also being integrated into the Public Preview. This allows endurance performance to be included in the coach, which is now offered to premium users.

Google points out that some features in the public preview are only available with a Fitbit Premium subscription. “Eligibility criteria for these features may change over time,” it continues.

On a community page, Google also explains the current development status of feature integration. This indicates that some features available in the previous Fitbit version have not yet been incorporated into the new one. The manufacturer emphasizes: “The Preview remains a preview. It’s not yet complete and doesn’t have all the features that the current Fitbit app has right now.” Google does not reveal when the new Fitbit app will be finished and finally rolled out to everyone.

New Hardware Expected

Beyond the revamped Fitbit app, in which Gemini will function as a “fitness trainer, sleep coach, and health and wellness advisor” in the future, Google is also preparing new hardware for this year. The company confirmed this in October last year – it is clear that Fitbit will not introduce its own smartwatch, but rather a successor to the Charge 6, or even a fitness band without a display, to offer an alternative to Whoop.

A report by the business news agency Bloomberg suggests Google's work on such a product. Indirect confirmation comes from NBA basketball player Stephen Curry, who has held the role of “Performance Advisor” for Google's wearable products since August 2025: On Instagram, he showcases a new, screenless product from Google without revealing further details.

(afl)