Blaze Firmware Release - 17.8.301.4 [Closed]

[AndrewFitbit]

9/23 Update:

See the new firmware thread here

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9/22 Update:

For those that have the firmware update already, new clock faces have been re-enabled.

We've continued the rollout process. If you don't yet have the update, please be patient. We'll post updates about the rollout when we have more information.

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9/19 Update:

Hey everyone - it seems like we're struggling to maintain civil conversation on this topic, so I'm going to go ahead and lock the thread. We'll open a new thread once the firmware update goes into wider distribution. Until then, here are answers to the questions that keep getting asked here:

When will I be able to download the latest update?

The update is on hold while our team addresses an issue found at the beginning of the release. Once their work is complete, we will start rolling it out again. We generally don't announce specific dates or timeframes, but you will see the update on your dashboard as soon as it is available. The only thing you need to do right now is wait patiently.

Why did you release the latest update to only a small percentage of users?

We've done tons of testing on this new firmware, but there can still be unexpected issues when we release it. If every Blaze customer updated at once, those surprises would affect everyone. Instead, we use an incremental release to observe and address issues on a relatively small scale. We definitely want the best experience possible for our Blaze customers, and a slow, cautious release helps accomplish that goal.

If only 5% of Blaze users have the update now, does that mean 10% will have it next week and 15% will have it the week after? Won't that take forever?

Nope! We aren't moving in 5% increments. We started the release at 5% and will increase it in much larger increments once we are confident that it's good to go. You should receive it soon.

Why haven't you communicated this information to customers?

All this information was previously posted in this thread, and also added to the lead post. Any time you find a discussion of an emerging issue or a newly-released update, make sure to check the first post for the latest information. We aim for clear, concise, transparent, and frequent communication - you should always find what you need in the lead post.

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9/15 Update:

The new Blaze update is currently available only to a very small percentage of users, as we are troubleshooting some emerging issues. It will be released more widely soon. Once it is available, you will see a banner at the top of your website or mobile app dashboard. Thanks for your patience!

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Hey everyone! 

We're rolling out a new update for Blaze, release notes below: 

• In addition to call, text, and calendar event notifications, you can receive notifications from email and other third-party apps on your tracker.Common emojis also appear. Keep in mind all notifications currently on your tracker will be deleted after the update.
• You can receive reminders to move throughout the day.
• Five new clock faces are available. Navigate to your device settings and check them out!

This release also resolves the following issue:

• Some users reported that auto-brightness was too dim or delayed.

Important to note: A sync is required after a manual shutdown or a battery drain in order to show the correct time on Blaze. This is especially important for your activity tracked by Blaze because you'll want to make sure it's associated with the current date and time.

The initial wave of users will receive the update starting September 12th, 2016, and will eventually be rolled out to everyone within a few days. If the update to the latest firmware version is not yet available for your Blaze, just hang tight!

[mcrmama]

@engibous This happened to me yesterday. I went into the app and it was in my list so I deleted it and put it back in again and resynced and that fixed it.

[CyndyFit]

I appreciate that you feel as you do about the lag in the update. I don't. I guess we'll agree to disagree. This is America. Lol!

[racertempo]

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@DibaSr wrote:
@racertempo first, let me say I agree with you. That being said, why do you think companies like Apple can push the release at the same time, but Fitbit won't? I got iOS 10 right away--great, after I fixed my bricked issue 😡. Just wondered what's the difference. Clearly, the reason is when there's an issue, it's easier to trouble shoot 5% than a majority of devices.

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Really, iOS10 has lots of problems:

http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/13/12904582/apple-ios-10-iphone-update-fail

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/09/13/ios-10-launch-live-how-to-upgrade-to-apples-new-sof...

http://fortune.com/2016/09/13/apples-ios-10-update-problems/

[racertempo]

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@CyndyFit wrote:
I appreciate that you feel as you do about the lag in the update. I don't. I guess we'll agree to disagree. This is America. Lol!

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I am frankly shocked it is taking place at all, I have said on here that the addition of the reminder to move and more watch faces will probably never happen from Fitbit....glad I was wrong.  If the update came out Sept 30, Fitbit would still have met the timeline they advertised......so a couple of days from now is not going to kill anyone, and has not made the Blaze worthless.  What is the Lag?  There is no lag, just a roll out that people don't like but they stated in their press release that it would be rolled out over a several day period.  So there is no lag, it is being done as advertised......ahm, except for the initial screw up 100% release.

You are right, we can disagree, however, the FACT is that NOTHING in this update was "promised" when the Blaze was released.....so this is not something that anyone needs or anyone purchased expecting these updated.  They have given a timeframe, and it is only a few days from now.

[SanFit]

@racertempo
>>>Yup, but the tracker everyone bought did not include ANY of the things in this update, so these are nice additional features that Fitbit is adding.
>>>None of these things were a part of the initial release with the exception of the Argyle watch face that was advertised.

Yours statements are contradicted.
You have no clear standpoint other than defending the FitBit company.

[LexJDavis]

Ok guys, I can't see the update yet, how many waves and over what period of time. I'm anxious to get the move reminders.

[mbre2004]

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@LexJDavis wrote:
Ok guys, I can't see the update yet, how many waves and over what period of time. I'm anxious to get the move reminders.

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I haven't gotten the update either and I'm starting to wonder why. Mine is still version 17.8.200.3

[Corvettekid]

RacerTempo, we purchased the Blaze expecting comparable accuracy to previous FitBit trackers.  It doesn't do that.

So yeah, I expect a firmware upgrade to address that issue especially when the Mods here have been assuring us for MONTHS that their tech guys were on it.  Instead, it looks like all we got are new clock faces.

This is like bringing in your car for faulty brakes and then having the gargage tell you they painted your tailpipe.

[jmattwood]

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@DibaSr wrote:
@racertempo first, let me say I agree with you. That being said, why do you think companies like Apple can push the release at the same time, but Fitbit won't? I got iOS 10 right away--great, after I fixed my bricked issue 😡. Just wondered what's the difference. Clearly, the reason is when there's an issue, it's easier to trouble shoot 5% than a majority of devices.

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Apple & their ilk simply push the problem of delivery on to the ISPs and cellular networks. Most irresponsible doing everyone simultaneously. Try being a network admin or even a small ISP attemting to load balance all the downloads being performed by "must have" iPhone users.

[TheLastDon]

Yikes. I think I'll not take the update because my fitbit works perfectly now with counting steps. I mean it is to THE step right now. I don't want to jeopardize that at all. I move that the next feature of fitbit firmware is the ability to rollback to a previous version in case the new firmware breaks our fitbits. 

[SanFit]

If a reporter interviews me: "As one of Blaze user, what do you expect from FitBit?"

Seeing the "PINK ARROW".

It is like a miracle, rarely happened as reality. It requires super-patient.

If Darwin realized the "natural selection", then FitBit is the inventor of "Random Selection".

[RhysLewis]

No more waiting for me, I've got this sorted.

[SanFit]

>>>No more waiting for me, I've got this sorted.

FitBit products with "out-dated monochrome LCD/LED screen" have never been in my sight before.

I saw them as products in year 198x, not for our generation.

If Samsung Gear Fit [1] could be connected to other mobile except Samsung, I would NEVER consider to purchase FitBit Blaze. Only the "Argyle" clock face took my interest. But, unfortunately, although I have purchased it for more than 3 months, I stil have no luck to use it.

[Katndog1]

Any idea when you will roll out the update for the UK please?

[Jak68]

The update for the UK is out, I got mine this morning 

[Rich_Laue]

@jmattwood as for why apple can push their update our so fast, I'll bet it all comes do b to how many servers apple has compared to fitbit. 

Apple for the second, ok this Tim by mistake, that updates don't go well when released to all at once. 

[Julia_G]

@Jak68 and @Katndog1, the updates are not rolled out by region.  They are rolled out in waves to a randomly selected percentage of users.  

[NoKeRse]

Is anyone else having issues with notifications? 

AFter update snapchat and messengerapp (google) was selected. 

For testing, then I deselected Snapchat notifications and selected a few others I would like to receive notifications on the blaze from. 

Settings synced and everything is working fine. 

But after looking a little bit deeper into the issue, it seems the Blaze or Fitbit app is loosing the settings for apps. Since it reverts back to the two first selected apps when restarting my phone. 

@MatthewFitbit have you guys received any reports on this? 

Running Fitibit app beta 2.33 RC3 on a LG G5 with Android 6.0.1 security patch 2016-08-01.

[RhysLewis]

I'm beginning to wonder if the rollout is based on steps. I'm going to lower my step target tomorrow and see if that helps.

I really hope there's a badge for this too. "Most steps while waiting for 301.4" has a nice ring to it.

[herget]

I concur with your thoughts! I purchased the Blaze for the features advertised back in November, 2015. I have used the Garmin Vìvosmart, Vivofit, Vivoactive, Withings, Jawbone, and about 11 other trackers over the past four years. The application and software interface Fitbit provides remains the best. The way, the consistent way, their fitness trackers synchronize with smartphones is the best as of 09/2016. If and when my Blaze is updated with new watch faces and move features, well... those are both icing on free cake. You are more than welcome to test other products. I even tried the infamous Apple Watch for four weeks. Apple offered me another three-week trial and I turned the billion-dollar organization down. I returned to using the sweet Surge. Sure, there are many features I would love for Fitbit to incorporate into their trackers. In time they will come. Software design of high quality takes years to perfect. If my Blaze is updated by Thanksgiving Day- good enough for me!

Sincerely,
Pietro


Sent via smartphone
Fitbit User Since 01/2013