Notifications, Alarms, Clock Faces and Apps

The Fitbit has, from I can tell, the best hardware when compared to other watches and "Superwatches", but there software leaves something to be desired when compared to competitors like Garmin Vivoactive, Basis Peak, Pebble Time and the new Apple Sport Watch. 

Improvements:

Notifications:

The first improvement that should be made is the intergration of other apps for notifications. Not many people use messages as their main form of texting anymore and leaving this out limits Fitbit compared to other brands. Adding notificaations support can be achieved as it is with all of the competeitors. Use the https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/CoreBluetooth/Reference/AppleNotificationCente...

Although it should also be noted that there are some notifications you don't want to recieve on your watch which is why a switch should be made in the app to say which apps are allowed, something like this. Fitbit App Notifications.jpg

Stronger Alarm:

The second improvement has to do with the alarm. I think it should be stronger or at least repeat itself untill stopped. Usually the vibrations do no wake me up forcing me to return to a tradtional alarm instead.

 

New Features: (Endless Opportunities)

SDK - Clock Faces:

A new feature that should be introduced is the watch faces customisation. Competitors allow the watch face to be created and be customised, for exmaple pebble and Garmin. The watch face should be personalised and allow people to get what they want on the watch screen. For example the seconds and the date on the Flare clock face. Allow a community to be created where people can share their clock faces with eachother, similar to other brands.

SDK - Apps:

The other feature is the introduction of apps. This is a major part of the new fitness trackers and smartwatches, with things like Garmin's ConnectIQ and Pebble Time's app. Allow people to create third party apps for the Surge and make it a proper competitor in today's market. Open a community of developers to Fitbit and make it a competiative brand. It is endless what things could be done if the watch could be used with a simple app like a compass or stopwatch like these.Fibit Surge Concept.jpg

Fibit Surge Compass.jpg

Fitbit Surge Stopwatch.jpg

(The stopwatch wouldn't include the GPS or the distant)

Or could go to something complex as with Garmin, Apple and Pebble's apps.

 

Links of Ideas:

https://www.reddit.com/r/fitbit/comments/2uf6ql/hackjailbreakroot_fitbit_charge/

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Requests/3rd-Party-apps-that-can-be-developed-by-anyone/idi-...

https://developer.getpebble.com/

https://developer.getpebble.com/smartstraps/

http://www.wareable.com/apps/the-best-apps-for-pebble-and-pebble-steel

http://help.getpebble.com/customer/portal/articles/1701779-pebble-appstore

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/

 

Moderator Edit: Added Labels/Title for Clarity

61 Comments
Tedd2391238123
First Steps

Those Are SOME FANTASTIC IDEAS

I LOVE THEM

 

If Fitbit integrates them, this would be the best watch

Liam92371231236
First Steps

This is exactly what I've been looking for with my Fitbit Surge. I wanted to get the new Pebble Time with a smartstrap with the GPS and Heart rate when it came out, but if this was used I may just stay with Fitbit

 

Wisemo
Powerwalker
Ronald123123124
First Steps

Some other apps I would love to see are calender and reminders from your phone.

But definitly email notifications like the text notifications is a great thing to add

Goldin
Jogger

WHY HASN'T THIS HAPPENED YET!!!!!!!!!!

Jacobe123912384
First Steps

How about a proper alarm app that allows you to edit and create alarms on the watch without a phone and without internet?

That seems logical to me.

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

would be great to get more notifications like reminders or calendar events at the least. 

Wisemo
Powerwalker
D-fab
First Steps
More clock faces, notifications for sitting too long (or inactivity) and a repeating alarm are exactly what I would love to see on my surge. I may be forced to switch to the apple watch if we don't see any of these updates. I like the idea of the sdk apps too.
Clinton
First Steps
I wish you'd add the new "weekly habit challenge" checklist to the app, so people can check it off in the week, or make it into a challenge to either challenge yourself or amongst your friends.
dinsmoorc
Recovery Runner
I would like either improvements (bug fix) or the possibility of viewing the dashboard in landscape orientation. I have a Dell Venue 8 tablet with a keyboard cover. I can only type with the keyboard attached in landscape and the dashboard and windows are in portrait. I either have to read sideways or detach the keyboard which makes propping up the tablet and typing awkward.
Ski_Family
Jogger
I think they should add a stopwatch functionality to the Surge. That sort of thing is standard on almost any watch but is missing from this superwatch. They could use the lower right button to access the stopwatch and start/stop the time. Then use the upper right button to reset. The left button can be used to back out of the stopwatch. Just my 2 cents.
jtgonzo
First Steps

Yes--need support for more notifications. I use Telegram for texts.

RedKyte
Jogger
It would be nice to have a more accurate display of battery level in the app and on the surge
Status changed to: Reviewed By Moderator
DerrickS
Premium User
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Whoa! @Wisemo You have definitely done your homework and you have a lot of great ideas in this post. I will be sure to relay the information along to our team for review. Thanks for sharing them on the Community.

ChargeUser1
Jogger
Read title
joshklink
First Steps

Yea totally agree about the clock faces functionality. I would love to see the ability to choose date and day added to the clock faces. 

Kate81238123
First Steps

Great idea, wish this would happen.

One thing I would add is a timer app which is also base with most watches

bnr_niu
First Steps

This needs to happen ASAP... for most of these change, it's just a software update I would expect for Charge HR and Surge

BeccaA
Keeping Pace

It really can't take that much to put an update out with a second hand or an option to see the seconds in the clock faces!  People working in the medical industry rely on second hands for taking their patients vital signs.

iLiasK
Jogger
Yes more notifications like calendar and reminders , sounds great!!!
aklowther
First Steps

I got rid of my Pebble when I purchased my Surge, would love to be able to get notifications for all my apps

Sfrose74
Jogger
More notifications & a stopwatch/timer!
Tirador
First Steps
Definitely good ideas! When can we see them being implemented?
Kirbyrun
Jogger
It would be nice to hear back from Fitbit to at least let us know that they read the suggestions
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