Why the Fitbit Edge would be better as a budget smartwatch without the fitness tech
Google is nearly onto something great
The Fitbit Edge is a smartwatch that is primarily designed for fitness tracking, but many believe it could be a better budget smartwatch without its fitness features. It seems to offer more than what some users actually need, such as Google Maps, media controls, and Find My Phone support. However, these features require a nearby connected device, which in most cases would be a smartphone.
If a user needs to listen to music while exercising, they would still need to carry their phone, making the purpose of the Fitbit Edge questionable.
The Pixel Watch 5 is a more expensive alternative, but it is also a better and more attractive wearable. The Fitbit Air, on the other hand, offers the same fitness tracking features as the Edge, but at a lower cost and is less intrusive. The Fitbit Edge is aimed at people who are regularly active, but may not require all the advanced features of a full smartwatch. It could be argued that a Fitbit Air at a fraction of the price would be a better choice.
The Fitbit Edge has a few more features, like basic Google Maps, media controls, and Find My Phone support. Users have expressed confusion over the usefulness of these features, as media controls require a nearby connected device, which would most likely be a smartphone. If the device needs to be carried, what's the point of the Fitbit Edge?
Google had the brilliant idea of creating a smartwatch with custom apps, but it seems they compromised on this idea by focusing too much on fitness-tracking features. It would have been better if the Fitbit Edge had been the first A-series Pixel Watch. The Fitbit Edge cannot support apps that aren't specifically designed for it, which makes sense as it keeps costs down.
However, the author prefers a smartwatch with a set of pre-installed Google apps, such as Messages, Maps, Wallet, Phone, Calendar, Keep, Home, Gemini, Clock, Weather, YouTube Music, Contacts, Recorder, etc. These apps, combined with a smartwatch of the same size as the Fitbit Edge, stripped of its fitness-tracking features (except for a basic step counter), could create a smartwatch at an affordable price point.
The author has recently pre-ordered the Pebble Round 2, a $200 smartwatch without fitness tracking features. The device runs PebbleOS, so the range of apps available may be limited compared to the Play Store. However, the author is excited about the stylish accessory and its compatibility with the Pixel phone. If Google could replicate the Fitbit Edge's $180 price point, remove all the fitness-tracking features, and add more app support, they would create the perfect budget smartwatch.
A budget smartwatch that holds to the same standards as the Pixel A-series smartphones would be ideal.
Written by urgent.news from Android Police's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
