Weather app

[lkocin3784]

Anyway we could get a weather app added to the list of apps available for the Blaze. It would be really nice to be able to see this info when out hiking and running

[SteveH · Accepted solution]

It's unlikely.

Given that your fitbit doesn't have web access it would need to get the data via a bluetooth connection to your phone and if you have your phone with you then you have the weather on that.

[AlejandraFitbit]

It's great to see you around @lkocin3784 and @SteveH thanks for stopping by. I think it would be great to have a weather option. I recommend checking the Blaze needs weather app request, vote for it and leave your comment. 

See you around! 

[Rich_Laue]

Since I already have a weather app on the phone, I simply told the fitbit app to send notifications from this app also. Problem solved for me, the blaze remembers these so I simply scroll back. 

[rstracey]

Rich,

What weather app do you use that pushes notifications?  This sounds like a great alternative.

[Rich_Laue]

Accuweather and I also have IFTTT setup to text me in the morning the days forcast

[iceman82]

Hey Rich, I have the app accu weather, but I do not see that in the fitbit apps selection
?

[Rich_Laue]

@iceman82 are you looking under notifications > app notifications.

[iceman82]

I'm on the Fitbit settings, do you mean in the iOS itself or what?

[SunsetRunner]

I do similar to @Rich_Laue. I use Meteo (weather app in Canada that pulls its data from Environment Canada) and have turned on notifications from Meteo to go to my Blaze. The limitation here is that it typically only notifies of weather warnings and does not provide a standard weather update. My solution is also, similar to @Rich_Laue again, to use IFTTT and create an "applet" that provides me with the daily weather forecast as of 5:00am each day (which uses data from Weather Underground I believe). Instead of a text message, I have this notify me on my iPhone from the IFTTT app which I also turn on to go to my Blaze.

These combined, I get weather warnings and a daily forecast at 5:00am each day. While good, I would still like to be able to look in the Blaze and get current weather and forecast for next few hours. This would help me time my bicycle commute home.

[jj52999]

With all due respect, @SteveH, your comment makes no sense. Not trying to spark an argument or anything but it is just not a convenient way to check the weather if your fitibit is literally an eyesight away. What if the phone is in your pocket or better yet, in your backpack?! you would rather go through the trouble or looking/reaching for your phone as opposed to just........say.........lifting your arm!!!  o_O

Anyway, a weather app, even to provide the basics will be the best!!!! 😄

[AlbertStClair]

@SteveH

Hmmmm

Don't understand this response, the watch relies entirely on the phone for all its data. Except heart rate monitor.

So should we ditch the watch and just use the phone.

[AlbertStClair]

@Rich_Laue

That is an awesome idea 

[SteveH]

@AlbertStClair the Blaze doesn't need the phone to track steps, distance,  calories, active minutes and floors as well as heart rate.

I was coming from the point of view of using the small fitbit screen in place of a larger phone screen. I can see the convenience of having quick access to data on the fitbit but, for me, it's more about the quality of the data. 

I guess we just see things differently. Life would be boring if we all thought the same.

[AlbertStClair]

@SteveH

And my point is the only thing any phone won't do if its with you is monitor your heart rate. So why would you need the Blaze....

[Rich_Laue]

While out for a walk, my phone has the ability to measure the distance by GPS, most calculate steps, not count them. While there are programs that will use motion to count steps, but they don't measure distance, they calculate it. 

As for a weather app you will a a request that can be voted on at https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Blaze-needs-weather-app/idi-p/1222066

[bbarrera]

@AlbertStClair In January Fitbit management team stated they are working on an app store, based on Pebble. I've been using apps on Apple Watch and Garmin bike computer for a long time now and can provide some details of things I'd like to see with Fitbit. In addition to the stock weather app, AccuWeather and Wunderground both have Apple Watch apps. The AccuWeather app is particularly well done. This is really handy for me, I ride my bike 5 miles to work and at least 3 times a week take the 20+ mile long way home thru the NorCal Delta region which is often windy. I have several watch faces with AccuWeather info in center of watch face, and one prominently displays the current wind speed, gust speed, and direction. Tap it and in half a second I get the forecast plus MinuteCast for next 120 minutes. The MinuteCast looks identical to my phone app. AccuWeather Watch app is really well done and lots of customization options so I have instant access to stuff that matters to me, without having to pull out my phone. I also have a Garmin bike computer, and it has Connect IQ app store with simple apps (compared to Watch), mainly to customize data displayed (think custom watch faces). In addition there is other useful stuff, for example an app to download today's workout from TrainingPeaks. 

Hope to see Fitbit launch something similar with its app store and devices. 

[bbarrera]

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@AlbertStClair wrote:

@SteveH

And my point is the only thing any phone won't do if its with you is monitor your heart rate. So why would you need the Blaze....

---

I'll nit pick that last point, because my phone "does HR" better than Blaze or Surge or any other Fitbit. Since Sept 2013 I've had a cellphone that counted steps and worked with Bluetooth HRMs including chest strap HRMs, arm band HRMs, and headphone HRMs. And before that I had a Wahoo ANT+ key that plugs into my phone so that I can use ANT+ devices like bike sensors and chest strap HRMs. Still use the Wahoo key for virtual cycling rides on Zwift.

Sadly for Fitbit, all my HR data lives outside the Fitbit ecosystem because Fitbit doesn't allow importing HR (or GPS or cycling specific stuff like power and cadence). I say sadly because its just another reason to not rely on Fitbit if you want accurate HR data during running or cycling or rowing or swimming or whatever. 

For about two and half years now I've ditched wrist trackers and never looked back. At first it was weird not having a wrist tracker, after returning my Force under recall in Sept 2014. At that time I switched to using my iPhone 5s as Fitbit step tracker and its a fine step tracker. 

[Mrh539]

Well why does it include text messages or tell you who is calling?  The point is to have that information without digging out your phone. Apple and Garmin have the ability. Aren't Fitbit engineers as smart?