Blaze Firmware Release - 17.8.301.8

[AndrewFitbit]

Firmware version 17.8.301.8 - Resolves a syncing issue with Apple iOS version 10.2

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Workout mode missing? Not a problem! Just follow the steps for adding it back. 

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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.

[12HourWalker]

I like the ability to turn my Blaze off, though I seldom use it but I understand why some would want to. My wife's Charge has many forum posts about inability to sync after letting the battery go dead even after charging and needing to be completely reset losing all data in order to get everything back in working order. Compared to this the Blaze is a boon. Easy fix ....don't let it go dead. Charge it early rather than letting it go so far down. No sync problems .

[Rich_Laue]

Spoiler

Actually @mcrmama most can be turned off, but not all or easy. The zip can be turned off by pulling the battery, the one you do a restart, but don't press the button to turn it back on, the charge and charge HR you do a factory reset and say no to clearing the data, with the Flex do a restart procedure with it not plugged into power, I would be surprised if this didn't also work for the Alta, and Flex 2 but can not confirm. The Blaze and surge have a shutdown menu. 

I could try some stuff with the Charge 2 but since I've not had any reason to restart it, I'm not going to. 

[benphonez3]

@blans thank you for your clarification of my post 🙂

@12HourWalker I think the 'easy fix' would be to revert back to the way it was pre update.  

I never realised that turning off a device with an on/off switch would prove so controversial...  I do it with lightswitches, ovens, phones and TV's; I suppose it's just carried over to my watch and not wanting to waste electricty (no matter how small) for the good of the planet.  But whether I should or should not turn off my watch really isn't the point of my posts, nor the issue in hand.

There is seemingly no user rationale or benefit for this need to sync function.  Quite the contrary, it is very user unfriendly and annoying, which suggests that it was either just too complicated for the software guys to bother trying to fix prior to release or there is some other, more 'evil' reason for Fitbit to do so involving my (and your) data and third parties.

As @ultrablazer mentioned, telling the correct time really is the most basic of functions that a watch should be able to deliver...

[jamiwalsh]

My update has been going now for over an hour and 15 minutes....the red bar is nearing the end, but the "this can take up to 10 minutes" is woefully underestimated. I had this same issue last time I updated.

[Ed_lovesBlaze]

It was a very smooth ,and pleasant update no proublems at all got it about two weeks ago .

[Courtneyjsimon]

Since the update, my customized exercise has disappeared and I can't figure out how to change it back. Ie: I had "workout" selected for my exercise menu on my device and it's no longer there. Also, during my workout this morning, my heart rate was way off. I don't know if that is because I had to choose "weights" instead of "workout ", or if it's another issue all together.

[GKhalwadekar]

Hello Fitbit Community,

Has anyone noticed quick battery drain after the new firmware update 17.8.301.7. I have been charging my fitbit and I am seeing a sudden drop in battery level (from 50 to 10). I am going to do a charge test by charging it 100% and with my previous config and see how long does the charge last.

Reply if anyone has similar issues.

Thanks

[GKhalwadekar]

Hello Fitbit Community,

Has anyone noticed quick battery drain after the new firmware update 17.8.301.7. I have been charging my fitbit and I am seeing a sudden drop in battery level (from 50 to 10). I am going to do a charge test by charging it 100% and with my previous config and see how long does the charge last.

Reply if anyone has similar issues.

Thanks

[Driver8666]

@GKhalwadekar

Last time I charged my Blaze was Thursday. This morning after I got into work (I work 3rd shift), I got the low battery warning on the Dashboard (Phone) and e-mail, which is right around the time where it should be telling me it's got to be charged. 

Since this is happening with my Blaze, I don't have the issue you are describing. After I get home, I'll be syncing to the Dashboard and getting the Alta ready to pick up where the Blaze left off. My Alta also doesn't have this issue. 

[Driver8666]

@jamiwalsh

Mine took 30 minutes, about the time it takes me to get showered and dressed. 

[GKhalwadekar]

@Driver8666 Thanks for your reply. I use Blaze 24/7.

Before the firmware update my battery would last long enough that i didnt feel the need to charge it for a 3-4 days, but after the update i started seeing this behavior. So, right now i dont know if it is the fitbit or the firmware update.

[Driver8666]

@GKhalwadekar

I have all the extras turned off. Heart Rate Monitor is set to Auto. I did have one alarm, but I shut that off, and won't be using it unless I have to. 

I use mine 24/7. My Alta I only use if the Blaze is in the charger. 

As for the Fitbit or firmware update, I'm sure I'll get pounded on for this but the jury is out on this. Why? Not every single user experiences this. 

[joerojas]

@AndrewFitbit

Is this Blaze update now available to all users?

I'm eager to get a Blaze but only if I can get this update.

[AndrewFitbit]

@Courtneyjsimon You have to re-add the "Workout" shortcut in your device settings. Remove it if it's already in the Exercise Shortcut list, sync, then add it back and sync.

@joerojas Yes, the update has been available to everyone since September 27th.

[joerojas]

Thanks @AndrewFitbit

I just ordered my Blaze! Looking forward to it!

[Melizza]

Trust me...  you DON"T want it, and Fitbit needs to fix it!  Ever since the update, my fitbit blaze will not sync, have to hit the sync button several times before it will..  It also no longer syncs with my phone GPS, just did a 3 mile walk today, got less than a half mile into it and it dropped the GPS.  Restarted it, lasted another ¾ mile and dropped again!!  I am VERY irritated!!  I spent 200 dollars on a fitbit and was working great until this last update and hasn'r worked right since!!  Called help desk and they tried to tell me that I needed to run the battery all the way down and charge it again..  Did that ans still work like crap!

Let's fix this!!

(my sisters charge HR is having the same issues with the latest update!)

[Jenn15]

Not everyone is having this problem tho, I've had NO issues and as a matter
of fact LOVE the update!!

[artdskinner]

I have the Firmware Version: 17.8.301.7. It has not improved the connection performance of my Blaze with the LG G3. It still seems to disconnect on a regular basis(at least every other day). Sometimes it only requires a Blaze restart and a logout login on the fitbit app. Most every other time I have to do the following. (1) Shutdown and restart the Blaze (2) unpair the Blaze in the phone settings (3) Logoff, uninstall the Fitbit app. (4) Download and reinstall the Fitbit app inorder to reconnect the Blaze. It is getting a little old. I have the app set to constantly connected and the notifications set to help establish a firm connection as suggested by the Fitbit technician.

[Melizza]

Yes!  I am having the same issues!  You have explained the issues better than I could..  This is SO frustrating.  Spending over 200 dollars for it to do this they either need to fix it or refund my money!

[Soldiergirl]

I indeed did notice a huge drop in battery life. So much so that Tech
Support sent a new replacement. Hope they figure out where the glitch is.


--
Abiding in Him,
Tiff
Gal: 6:17