Fitbit Premium and sleep stages data

[mmellowmushroom]

I’ve compared (other FitBit models and the competition), purchased, utilized and upgraded FitBit for years.

Got hooked on weight training my senior year in high school going so far as training to compete in body building prior to having 2 children & continued working out while I raised them. As I “matured”, it wasn’t so much my body & fitness I developed a concern for but rather, my sleep; both quantity and quality and how it seemed to deteriorate as I aged.  Enter Smart Alarm apps on my (then Android) phone. As I learned that not only the time at which I woke but also the sleep stage during which my wake-time occurred had a considerable impact on how I felt that day, I made a commitment to real sleep improvement.

During the process of educating myself on sleep health, I stumbled into my doctors office one day with a whole host of “odd” complaints that made no sense to me.  Apparently they made sense to her because by the end of that week I was scheduled for three sleep studies which resulted in a severe sleep apnea diagnosis 😱! But how could this be?! I wasn’t overweight, I ate right and was in great shape, did not drink or experiment with drugs, and knew not a single relative with sleep apnea! Enter a shiny, new CPAP machine and, soon after, a (rather archaic in today’s comparison) FitBit.

I turned first to FitBits tutorials and articles (still limited at that time but included lots of references and hyperlinks to further info!) to educate myself. I was experiencing improvements in sleep, which created a positive impact on my health and daily life but the limited capabilities and features of FitBit at that time required additional mobile apps to augment FitBits data and capabilities. So what does a loyal customer do? I began making recommendations for FitBit Features that would allow my “loyalty” to FitBit and, the elimination of all those “other apps”.  Slowly but surely FitBit progress was made.

Though a project manager with a large construction company, I am a computer science graduate so, I am obsessed with “Tech”. Impressed by my FitBit over the years, I’ve remained keenly tuned-in to the future of FitBit through my “go-to” tech “informants”: CNET, Gizmodo, techRadar, Reddit, as well as the Wareable site and FitBits own announcements and webinars.

I upgraded devices a couple times and have witnessed FitBit come a very long way. I have been impressed. And loyal.  And I really mean loyal!  About 3 or 4 years ago I upgraded (in my personal opinion) from Android to Apple and fell in love with iPhone. Two months ago I went into my mobile carrier to upgrade my iPhone. It was around Father’s Day and since I am a caregiver to my elderly dad we were offered a BOGO on iPhone & the opportunity to purchase the Apple Watch at PENNIES on the dollar! For immediate advice and additional guidance towards a decision I called my son; an educated, avid Apple/Mac enthusiast, IT Security professional with the regional hospitals’ Health System here. He highly advised that I take full advantage of the Apple Watch offer.

After a short debate with both my son and the mobile agent, and even FURTHER negotiation in the Apple Watch price, I declined; loyal to FitBit, how far FitBit has come, and and the life-changing (seriously!) effect its use has had for me.

Today, I fully and completely with my whole heart regret that decision.

After all these years of loyalty, “standing by” and holding-out for the next big FitBit feature/device, making /participating in voting on feature recommendations, helping others in the Communities, device upgrades instead of “switching”, etc., etc., etc., ...................

I’m told I will need to

PAY

for a PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

to receive FURTHER data and insight I have

MADE FEATURE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR,

HELD OUT for, waited ever-so-patiently for!?!?!?!?

The ONE, SINGLE element that made me a LOYAL Fitbit consumer is now the very reason that I would rather download and augment with additional apps than be told I have to PAY for what I’ve been begging for.

When I tell you I started crying when I read the paid “Premium Subscription” requirement for the additional sleep features - I mean - I literally started crying. Like a Doctoral student whose thesis idea was stolen and used by another.

I’m sick to my stomach.

Seriously FitBit?

Are you all really ducking serious?!

Moderator edit: Updated subject for clarity 

[SunsetRunner]

I am annoyed at this as well. One of my favorite things about my FitBit (Alta HR) is that it tracks my heart rate and sleep. I don't see why we would have to pay for stats it's already tracking.

I don't know why, but my devices seem to only last about a year. I've had to replace 3 or 4 by this point, luckily they were all still under warranty. I wasn't sure if I'd purchase another one if it outlasts the warranty, but this has made the decision for me.

[Odyssey13]

Hi @mmellowmushroom  your posts were merged into this thread as cross-posting isn't allowed on the forums. I've notified a moderator to stop by to assist you with this issue. Thanks for coming here.

[GrumpyCyclist]

While not affected with the sleep issues you have been, I had been looking forward to the enhanced sleep insights that were coming. Got the Sleep Score, which really doesn't give me any more information than the old standard sleep insights - I know if I've slept well or not - and then suddenly we get 'locked' items only available in premium, like sleeping heart rate.

Really Fitbit? That information is there, in my device. It won't cost extra to provide this, but you link it to a premium subscription that is, to be honest, very expensive. £8/month or £80/year? The only feature of premium I have any interest in is the sleep insights. Not interested in Coaching or guided workouts or anything that actually costs you extra to provide. All I want is the data that you already have stored in my account, and always have had. Really not happy today 

[WebmistressMing]

I have NO intention of financially underwriting Fitbit's pivot to subscription, so will ask anyone who HAS tried the "free trial".

Do you get the old-style view back if you pony up more money?  Or is it just more come-ons for buying coaching and other BS ...?

[SilviaFitbit]

It's great to see you around @mmellowmushroom, @SunsetRunner, @GrumpyCyclist and @WebmistressMing. 

Thanks for flagging the post @Odyssey13. 

Hey @mmellowmushroom. I really appreciate the time you took to share your experience with Fitbit and your loyalty, it's great to hear that Fitbit has helped you getting healthier and reaching your goals. It sounds like you're enjoying your Fitbit and you've been informing yourself with many websites and other people. 

Fitbit Premium is a new service that offers you 3 different features. However, even though you don't pay for this, you will still have the option to have sleep stages and sleep score in your Fitbit app. If you still want to see average sleep you can check it in your online Dashboard. You can learn more about it by checking this article: What should I know about Fitbit Premium?

In case, you would like to try the Fitbit Premium, you have the 7 day trial that will give you an overview of what you can have if you buy it. 

Rest assure that your comments and feedback regarding Fitbit Premium are appreciated, We're constantly striving to improve Fitbit products and services, and we very much appreciate all of the input we receive from our customers. 

I'll be around if anyone has any questions about it. 

[WebmistressMing]

Moving a crucial data point--sleep averages--OFF the app and onto the Web, this I understand.  For now, the functionality I have used since October, 2012, has been removed from the app.

My question--and honey, I don't envy you your job right now--is, if I DID pay for the new service, do I get the old interface BACK?  Or do I still have to jump to the web, authenticate, navigate to whatever page you've hidden it on, and only THEN do I see my data?

That's the question in a nutshell:  if we buy the new subscription service, do we STILL have to put up with the new dashboard and these limitations?  

So?  Answer?

Please, clarify.

[SunsetRunner]

@SilviaFitbitYou didn't address my point, and I'm sorry, but tagging me in your generic response does not help mitigate my concerns.

I am particularly concerned about the Sleep Score and how that is calculated. I've always said that my favorite part about my fitbit is that it tracks my sleep. Since I have an Alta HR, I have already had the sleep tracking features that have now been removed, renamed, and now a premium charge would be added. My device is still gathering this information, the same as it was before:

https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/2439#calculated

Can you tell me how, exactly, this is any different than how any information was gathered before? Getting very frustrated, here. Have already started shopping for Garmins.

[Premiumripoff]

Basic cynical customer exploitation at its worst.  What I am also mad about is that when you click to try for seven days it sets up a permanent contract in apple subscriptions and their contact won’t help you to cancel it.  I am mad fuming and cannot believe I am on my third Fitbit and I get this rubbish! Come on people stop acting like you are big enough to tread all over you customers 

[Premiumripoff]

Sylvia - see my note when you agree to try for seven days it sets up an automatic subscription that you accept through the t cannot canes through the app which is wrong in my view! The help team are really unhelpful too I cannot get anyone from Fitbit to engage with me on this it is making me want to thrown it away and buy a different tracker 

[SilviaFitbit]

Thanks for getting back @WebmistressMing. Sorry for the delayed reply. 

When you buy the Fitbit Premium, you won't get the old interface back. The only 3 features that Fitbit Premium offers are Guided Programs, Receive personalized insights based on your activity and Fitbit Coach. You can learn more about it by checking this article: What should I know about Fitbit Premium?

Hey @SunsetRunner. Your average sleep is still available in your Fitbit app and online Dashboard. The only new data you're seeing is the sleep score. You can learn more about it by checking Fitbit Premium Guide. 

Welcome to the Community @Premiumripoff. After your seven day trial, you need to cancel the Premium Subscription because on day 8 you will be charged. Since, you bought the subscription from Apple you will need to contact them for assistance. 

Let me know how it goes. 

[SunsetRunner]

That's not entirely true. You removed the insights into my restlessness, and don't have a full explanation as to what constitutes "sleeping heart rate".

[Premiumripoff]

My point is you do not make it clear we are entering into an arrangement with Apple you just say click for a trial this is misleading