Cardio fitness level and guided breathing in Blaze

[melsebaee]

I wonder if there is any plan to have the new cardio fitness level and guided breathing in the upcoming firmware update for Blaze.

Moderator edit: subject updated for clarity

[PieMavi]

Still they aven't reliesed this new update and we're already looking for a newest one anyways I'd love that too!

[bbarrera]

it will be sad but not unexpected if they leave those features on Charge 2 for at least 6 months... just like reminder to move being exclusive to Alta since March.

[mprague]

I agree, this should be an update for the BLAZE!!!! When I upgrade to the Blaze from the Charge HR, I believed the Blaze would benefit from the latest features!!!!

[AlyZ]

I am also really curious about this!! I can live with waiting 6 months, but I want them eventually. I just bought the blaze and it's still returnable, but the charge 2 doesn't have music controls which sucks so I don't really want to switch..

[Nuuniaana]

I'm waiting also the newest updates to the Blaze. Now it seems like Charge2 have more interesting features than Blaze now, but I don't have extra money to change tracker. I'M hoping that Blaze will be "better" tracker with cool features than Charge2.

[Stephxo]

I just got off of chat with fitbit and they arent able to update the blaze with the new guided breathing session the trackers arent updateable like that you need to buy the Charge 2 if thats a feature you want. i think the trackers should have a update like the iphones where if new technology comes out you can update any tracker with a HR sesnor to have the new specs instead of having to buy a new fitbit every 6 months to keep up with the advanced changes.

[melsebaee]

Clearly a frimware update only since no new hardware required for sure they can do it if they want

[melsebaee]

it is based on pure pulse and it should be easy to be done. I would expect blaze sales to drop without such update as charge2 would make a better tracker and blaze would lose its edge.

[bbarrera]

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@Stephxo wrote:

I just got off of chat with fitbit and they arent able to update the blaze with the new guided breathing session the trackers arent updateable like that you need to buy the Charge 2 if thats a feature you want.

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That comes across as a BS answer. Fitbit is releasing a big update for the Blaze in September, that includes Reminders to Move and smartphone notifications. 

Ok, so let me get this straight. Fitbit took the Blaze, made it smaller, removed Fitstar, added more fitness features, and lowered the price by $50 to create the Charge 2. And then gave Blaze full smartphone notifications to make it better than Charge 2 in some way.

Which leaves Blaze where in the product lineup? Thats right, above the Charge 2 because the Blaze more expensive.

[Btw62]

While it is great to hear a new firmware is imminent, I don't understand the excitement generated by new faces and I'm kind of underwhelmed by what has been announced. Yes it has some new smart watch features and a new gold version, but other than the movement reminder, are there any fitness improvements? It too believe that the new Charge 2 has surpassed the Blaze and comes in $50 cheaper. I'd get much greater motivational benefit from the new Cardio Fitness Level and Guided Breathing Sessions than a dripping paint face. Near as I can tell, these features did not make it to the Blaze, yet are derived from the PurePulse technology featured prominently on the Blaze. I fail to understand why features are not universal when the supporting hardware is in place. Meanwhile the one unique Blaze fitness feature - FitStar - remains unchanged and perhaps is now viewed as a failed experiment! I can only hope the actual firmware upgrade has more under the hood and I'm proven wrong in my assessment. Love my Blaze, but for me it is first and foremost a fitness watch.

[bbarrera]

The simple answer is that Fitbit wants you to own a collection of their trackers.

[alind12]

It would be incredible if Fitbit would offer this new update for other trackers as well. This was one of my biggest debates between getting the Blaze and a Garmin, so if Fitbit would consider updating our fitbits to offer this as well, I wouldn't be surprised if some Garmin users eventually swithced to Fitbits!

[Btw62]

And apparently the Charge 2 also has guided intervals as an Exercise option.

[SunriseGirl]

I will be extremely disappointed if the Blaze does not receive these features in addition to the intervals....I care more about these fitness features than smart phone features. I would have preferred the Charge 2 over the Blaze if the Blaze won't eventually offer those features.

[SunsetRunner]

Cardio level / vo2 max is needed on the blaze and surge. This is the one thing I really miss from the Microsoft band. The blaze gathers the data one typically sees in a vo2 Max formula. Vo2 Max can also be used to improve calorie burned data.

Without it the product line up seems confused.. If I buy the more expensive premium products they should have the most advanced tracking capability. Could a moderator comment on this question please?

[AlyZ]

But it doesn't make sense to own two HR trackers. It makes sense for someone to use a fitbit flex or something for their daily step count, and something like the blaze or charge 2 for their workouts, but it doesn't make sense to use both a blaze and a charge 2. They're both large and clunky, and have very comparable features aside from the cardio fitness level and guided breathing. 

[AlyZ]

I agree that it doesn't make sense for the more expensive product to not offer the best tracking capabilities... I really want the cardio fitness level and guided breathing, but not enough to give up the classier look of the blaze, the music controls, and the upcoming smartphone notifications. It's lame.

[Brad.]

Just came across this, so I thought I would share.

[bbarrera]

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@AlyZ wrote:

But it doesn't make sense to own two HR trackers. It makes sense for someone to use a fitbit flex or something for their daily step count, and something like the blaze or charge 2 for their workouts, but it doesn't make sense to use both a blaze and a charge 2.

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I don't think it makes sense to own two trackers. I traded computer fixes for a Surge and later a Blaze, so I have both, but find Fitbit MobileTrack on my phone does a great job counting steps for step challenges. My wrist for last 16 months has been reserved for quickly dealing with notifications (including responding).

From our point-of-view, it absolutely makes sense for Cardio Fitness level and Guided Breathing features to be added to Blaze and Surge.

It appears Fitbit has a different perspective, not surprisingly if you've closely watched Fitbit over the years. The CEO stated on a recent earnings call "Each product has a well thought out and highly incremental role in our lineup." My interpretation of "highly incremental" is that Fitbit management actively seeks to maintain minor differences between trackers. Indeed, we've seen this play out recently, with Reminders to Move launching on Alta and taking well over 6 months to arrive on Blaze (announced Jan, shipping late Feb, Reminders to Move due Sept update). Keep in mind, the Fitbit trackers are still basically pedometers and Fitbit is still primarily focused on step counting. Its not like Fitbit trackers are designed for water sports, or skiing, or cycling (no sensor support), its not a bad thing, and its why I say they are still basically pedometers. So I expect to continue seeing Fitbit primarily focus on different form factors, lots of accessories, and minor feature differences to drive people to upgrade to one tracker over another.

I'm hopeful these new fitness features will migrate, someday, but only after a lot of complaining by folks like you and I that "don't understand why not." For now I think Fitbit management is content to have the Blaze be "smart watch like tracker with full notifications and music control" and new Charge 2 be "reimagined #1 selling tracker with the most fitness features and basic notifications (no music control)" as that supports each product having well thought out and highly incremental roles.

My 2 cents.