Enable Voice Assistant and ECG in Finland

[JLy_Fin]

Dear Fitbit,

please enable Voice Assistant and ECG (for Sense) in Finland.

Could you give us a status update? What is the reason why these are not enabled? What is your action plan and schedule to get these enabled? Is someone actively working on these, or are these just on hold? I would appreciate a list of actions with a schedule when is the target to have these operational. I bet the need for these apps is 100% of Sense users in Finland, and the preferred schedule is now or asap.

Thank you, especially using the voice assistant from my wrist is a major game changing feature that brings the Sense to a whole new level and it was one of the main reasons I bought the Sense.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[LZeeW]

@JLy_Fin   I can comment on the ECG.  The ECG is a medically regulated feature that needed CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) approval in the US before its release here.  The ECG must be approved by the equivalent regulatory body in Finland before it can be released there.

I don't know why the voice assistant is limited by country.  I am going to ask a moderator to help answer that question.  I have never seen Fitbit report any updates like an action plan or the level of intensity in trying to add a feature in different countries.  I'm not sure if we will get an answer for those questions.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @JLy_Fin. @LZeeW Thanks for the heads up and your great help.

@JLy_Fin Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts about your Sense. As our friend mentioned, because the ECG app is a medical device, we need to wait until the usage of this feature is approved in your country. In the case of the voice assistant, your country needs to be supported by Google Assistant or Alexa in order to install it on your watch.

I understand how much you'd like to use these features and I'm sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. Your feedback is also appreciated and please know we're working hard to make features available around the world. While there isn't a time frame when they'll be available in Finland, you can share this as an idea in the Feature Suggestions board so our developers can take it into consideration. To learn more about this board, see our FAQs.

[JLy_Fin]

Dear @LizzyFitbit,

Thank you for the additional information. Can you clarify who is responsible for the approval of the medical device in Finland. Who can I contact to facilitate and speed up the process?

In the case of Google Voice Assistant I must say I am completely confused and puzzled. I have been actively using Google Voice Assistant on my phone for years in Finland (in English), and I am using it every day on my phone to control my Philips Hue lights and Fitbit Sense supports it as well. So I don't really understand why you are choosing not to enable it in English language in Finland, as it is clearly working here? You are a Google company, so there should not be any additional cross-company issues. It is only a matter of choice, and initiative. I surely would believe Google is a company that can make things happen. Can you direct me to the relevant person responsible for Google Voice Assistant implementation in Finland. Let's make this happen now.