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.

[Enkerli]

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@Cherry0707 wrote:
She claims that my device is defective since it wouldn't respond to the forced update. Maybe I'm on the wrong thread and my apologies if so but I'm just wondering has anyone else has to send in for a replacement due to the same or similar reasons?

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Haven’t noticed other posts saying the same thing but it’s very valuable information and, unless @AndrewFitbit or @MatthewFitbit disagree, it’s precisely the type of thing we all need to know.

(Didn’t even realise a forced update was technically feasible for Fitbit. Wonder why this option wasn’t used for a few people here who needed to make quick decisions on the product…)

[rebock]

At the end of the day, it is the not knowing when you are going to get the update that is the worst part of this whole process. Letting everyone know that the update was released on the 23/9 and then making the customer wait without knowing when their number will be called probably wasn't the best way to do this. Sadly, we live in a world where we kind of expect everything now and even a delay of an hour is too much.

Having said all that, I still haven't gotten the update.

[hughchoi]

I just want to make sure anyone have same issue as mine.

I got the upgrade yesterday. Today, I was biking for about 35 min. Middle of the ride, mine lost connection with my phone. This kind of losing connection was first time. well, I was using bluetooth headset. It might have something to do with it. I dont know.

Anyone have issue of losing connetion with phone? 

[Jcat313]

No update yet for myself either, Really sad that one of the watch faces has been advertised since February on their website. False advertising if you asked me.

[Enkerli]

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@Samantha_J wrote:

But talk about first world problems right?

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Like obesity, heart attacks, and cancer? Not sure Fitbit can do much for this last one, but it can surely help quite a bit with the first two.

[oBoy]

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@bbarrera wrote:

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@oBoy wrote:

It seems to be utterly shocking to some people that, yes, companies roll their software out this way. Like all of the time. The reason some companies like Apple don't is because they have a beta program. Fitbit doesn't. All sorts of tech companies use this technique.

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@oBoy

Fitbit had a beta program for this Blaze firmware update:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Blaze/Blaze-Firmware-17-8-301-7-Thanks/m-p/1576238/highlight/true#M3...

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I believe what that commenter was refering to was the initial 5% of users that recieve the update. A beta test is a voluntary choice to sign up to test software. 

[Stretch74]

Hi Andrew,

I received my update today and am so excited with the new functionality.  Thanks so much for your reasonable and measured response to those who questioned the initial release issues, subsequent rollback, and re-release of the new functionality.  Love my Blaze!!

[Cherry0707]

I also was wondering why she was trying to do this so called forced update on my tracker as well because I hadn't seen any post about it but then when she sent me the statement about Fitbit requesting for trackers to be sent in for some investigating I really felt it a bit much being I only had my Blaze for a few weeks and she also said it was possible that I'd receive a refurbished tracker. So I'm now wondering is my device truly defective(the agent called it that) and secondly if it'll guarantee that I get a brand new device if get a refund on this one and purchase another I rather do that. Instead of having to go to FedEx to send my Blaze pebble of and then sit and watch for them to send me another... I guess I'm a little uncertain on the best decision 😑

[oBoy]

All valid points, @Enkerli. 

Patience is one thing. I myself have been irritatedly checking my app every ten minutes all day. Complaining online to people who all get an email when you post is something else. It's ok to be excited for the update to come, but, for heaven's sake, you should be able to control your complaints.

As always, anxiously awaiting my new reminders to move! I'm starting to turn into some sort of lumpy sack. I need to be walking more. Instead, I'm reading emails from Fitbit Community...

[JackedJackson]

I had the charge and upgraded to the Blaze. In between I also tried the Pebble Steel and the Asus Zen. If it wasn't for the crappy battery time, I would GLADLY get rid of this p.o.s. Blaze and get another Zen...

[YogiOz]

Got it here in Australia this morning - all updated during the short drive to work.

Loving the new watch faces - esp 'Moment'

[Darmichar]

Call support and they'll give you a totally different story. Their line is that Fitbit chose the 'metered rollout' instead of a Beta program.

I'm upset for two reasons, they either:

1. Utilized a horrible beta testing process that didn't catch any of the bugs they saw once they went to a mass release.

2. Decided to let the community at large beta test the release which cam back and bit them in the behind, hard.

Regardless of which it was, the communication afterwards here, and with their 'Support' has been abysmal, bordering on deceptive. There haven't been any real answers to the questions people are asking, just various, voluminous iterations of the word 'soon'.

[Chethrao]

Just got it here in India. Super speedy update - took about 5 mins to flash. Everything looks to be working fine. Super psyched about the new clock faces (especially moment) and reminders to move. 

[Dc819]

Been waiting forever for this update!! My husband got his update yesterday.... me... nothing... feeling frustrated... getting closer to that Apple Watch lol

[Udit_Singh]

Quick tip time ! If you have the new firmware and are trying to setup notifications on iOS, the Fitbit app won't allow you to add third party app notifications right away. It asks you to wait till you actually get a notification on your phone.
Now if you're like me, you would open the notifications first and respond to them and then go back to the Fitbit app to setup notifications from that app for future. Don't do that. Let the notification be in your notification centre. Go to Fitbit app and let it "read" your notifications. That's when the toggle for a particular third party app shows up. Toggle it on and you should be set.

If you open/clear your notifications before you try to set them up in the Fitbit app, it won't be able to read the notifications and you won't see any toggles.

Just a small tip to keep in mind if you want avoid the mini panic attack that your notifications aren't working as they're supposed to.

Cheers !

P.S - the Moment clock face is my pick. Minimalist but with all the information you could need at a glance.

[Boh113]

Update arrived this morning. Melbourne Australia, s7 on WiFi took about 7mins to update. Model FB502 bought the day blaze was released here. No issues with the update, nice to have a few more clock faces to pick from and reminder to move, Uninstalled fit notifications as blaze now supports all apps. Yay

[JRGoldsberry]

Wondering what people on here mean in regards to the notification for the update.
Some say a pink arrow, others say the notification bar is pink.
Which is the one I'm looking for with the mobile app on Android 6.01 on a LG v10?
I've been checking to see either one on my phone and on my laptop, but, alas, nothing has graced my presence.

[runner_88]

I am having this weird problem with this update.

I got a notification around 4 hours back that I need to update my blaze but when I tried to update it, the update got stuck immediately after showing "Updating Your Fitbit Blaze" and then the screen shows 'Not Working?' window.

and my blaze showed this screen when the update was not successful.

Though my device is working fine but I am not able to update it.

I would appreciate if anyone can help me in resolving this error so I can update the blaze.

[Benwah187]

That is a polite way to say kiss off. What I don't understand is this. For
a company to maintain competitive in this market you have to listen to your
customers . It's obvious fitbit don't. You released a gunmetal blaze which
is the same as any other blaze except for cosmetics and charge 30.00 more
for it. My advice why would I spend 230.00 to get a blaze when I can get a
samsung s2 for 220.00 or apple watch for the same price. These devices are
just as accurate and do more. I guess my point is this ya better listen to
people or your ain't gonna last lol.

[ajea]

This is the worst rollout I've experienced in my whole life, and I have been working as a developer for 10 years. You have a product that is used daily by a LOT of people, and you know that you released it too early, before it was ready.

You know that people are getting frustrated about missing features and watch faces. So what do you do Fitbit? You announce this great update before it was completely tested and you had to stop the rollout. People are getting furious. Then you continue the rollout by 500 people/day or so, did you buy your servers on wal mart or what??

Enough with this, but I think you underestimate how much this device means to your users. We use it everyday and can't wait to get the new features.

You announced it too early to be able to write "coming soon" on your product page to boost the sales a couple of weeks earlier.

And it's bull**ahem** to say that your OS is too complex to test before release. It is a small isolated system with no 3rd party apps running or anything.
You either have worthless developers, testers and engineers or too few of them.

I still like my blaze a lot even if I probably won't have that update soon, but I am really fed up with Fitbit as a company. So when this product is worn out I will probably switch.