Add a Reply Feature for Texts on Fitbit Ionic

[MatthewF]

Has the Fitbit development team looked into adding a reply feature for text messages?  I know that for me personally, having preset replies like the apple watch would be very useful.  The Ionic is all about being able to leave your phone behind, yet you are unable to reply to text messages.  Adding this would definitely persuade me into buying the Ionic.  I also think that if this were added, texting should be its own app instead of just appearing in the notification center.

[Breezygirl8]

Without this feature and so many of the other basic features people have repeatedly asked for on here, Fitbit has priced the Iconic way too high. Competes with and is priced above an Apple Watch, not good. 

[BarryAllen]

I would love for preset texting to be added later. At 300 dollars I believe the Ionic needs this functionality to compete with the Apple Watch. 

[SunsetRunner]

well, since they've opened up the "Fitbit OS" to 3rd party developers, i'm sure we'll see text replies as well as other things.

[MatthewF]

Definitely a possibility, hopefully we at least get this.

[michaelte]

I agree with everyone here, a simple list of replies to text messages is a must for wearables at this price range. I'm an Android user and have been using a Samsung Gear 2 for a few years. When I'm in meetings, I can respond to a text from a list of preset replies (that can be customized) without getting my phone out. I hope that either Fitbit or another developer sees the value in this and makes it happen.

[NellyG · Accepted solution]

Put a suggestion in Feature suggestions. I think it is an excellent idea. In fact I will go put a suggestion up and will add the link here.

Edited to add :  The suggestion is already there. Please go and vote on it . The more votes it gets the more likely it is to happen

Preset text responses for Ionic

[SunsetRunner]

I'm not holding my breath on this one. Whilst Android might be possible, on iOS, because of the strict control on system calls by Apple, you'd need country carrier support to cobble together something that "sort of works". Look at the work Pebble had to put in to get something together. OK, Fitbit bought Pebble but I'm betting they won't be working hard to solve auto text replies. Also, you wouldn't be able to respond to iMessages in iMessage, they'd have to be SMS, making threads disjointed. 

Be nice to be proved wrong though. One thing I love about my Apple Watch is being able to quickly respond to texts by simply raising my wrist and speaking a quick reply. Obviously not possible on the Ionic without a mic but preset responses would be nice.

[De3p]

Hi,

I voted (thumbs up) on this request.

1. The fitbit ionic would be in a better position if it would allow us to reply to texts/whatsapp (other popular messaging apps) messages via presets. 

2. There isn't a microphone on the Fitbit Ionic, however you can add the ability to reply via Bluetooth headset that has a microphone.

When viewing the content of the message, we can use the buttons on the right to trigger the different reply events mentioned above. Just a suggestion.

User:

I am forced to take out my phone to reply that I am currently busy and would get back to them as soon as I am available. Don't need notification system for texts if I still need to take out my phone.

Would you be able to tell us where this enhancement request stands with respect to others?

Thanks,

Deep

[MikeF]

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@MatthewF wrote:

Has the Fitbit development team looked into adding a reply feature for text messages?  I know that for me personally, having preset replies like the apple watch would be very useful.  The Ionic is all about being able to leave your phone behind, yet you are unable to reply to text messages.  Adding this would definitely persuade me into buying the Ionic.  I also think that if this were added, texting should be its own app instead of just appearing in the notification center.

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I don’t understand how you can expect to reply to text messages if you ‘leave your phone behind’ as you described it. The Ionic isn’t connected to the mobile network so the best it could ever do is command your phone to send a message (assuming the phone OS allows it to).

[Duanejones]

The text back would be great , but what about a video chat on it that can work by voice control , or voice attivated text or talk back 

[bbarrera]

@Duanejones There is no speaker or microphone on the Ionic. Potential for this hardware is limited. Fitbit management appears more interested in next years upgrade cycle than delivering a complete smartwatch hardware platform. Not surprising, Fitbit management talks up the upgrade cycle on quarterly earnings calls. 

[Inuyasha02]

Not completely a smart watch!

   Please add the ability to reply and interact with text messages! I have a Apple Watch Series 3, also a polar m 600..If the whole concept of your device if to compete with others on the market, please add the basic simple features such as pre-Set Responses! The fitness aspect of this device seems to be perfect, the heart rate tracker Exceptional compared to the other two! Just please add a way to interact with text messages that is a big part of everyone’s daily life when it comes to convenience. Thanks

[elot]

Hello,

There is a feature site, where it is possible to add feature requests.

I think this feature request already exists, so just check the existing requests and add your vote.

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/idb-p/features

[SunsetRunner]

Hey @Inuyasha02 I am sure it will come as the Pebble had canned replies you could send and as FitBit bought Pebble and their developers worked on the FitBit OS I am sure we will see it further down the line.

On a side not the Apple watch is on OS version 4.x the Ionic version 1.x, I don't think Apple watch OS got replies until version 2.0, I could be wrong as that was over 2 years ago and my memory isn't that good 🙂

Barry

[TheMichaelBrand]

I completely agree with this. I'm very hesitant about getting a Fitbit product now, I was a loyal user until the Blaze. I got an Apple Watch and it truly is one of the best things on the market for my personal needs. 

However I changed to Android and have yet to find a smart watch to replace the Apple Watch due to features lacking. 

Fitbit pricing their product at the same price without actual smart watch capabilities is proving a hard sell for me. I know it's fitness first, and so it should be, however text integration and not just notifications is necessary at the price. 

With the fitness capabilities of Fitbit, upcoming apps, waterproofing and added text support I would have got this and supported this sooner. 

Hopefully they'll add this in. I'm considering the smart watch now. 

[SunsetRunner]

 @TheMichaelBrand Samsung Gear Sport or S3 would do the trick, better than Apple Watch in my opinion (I have had 3 apple watches over the years) and the Gear with its attendant Samsung Health application may be exactly what you are looking for.

I also have a Gear S3 (Classic) so know from experience, I just prefer the Ionic (I also own a Pebble Time too so have been round the smartwatch block a number of times)

Do not waste your time or money on the Android Wear smartwatches (yes I have had 3 or 4 of them too lol) as they do not do the fitness thing very well.

Barry

[TheMichaelBrand]

It's funny you should mention them as I've been debating between the ionic and gear sport. I'm just concerned about the screen size of the sport as I had the S3 and it was amazing however lack of external heart rate support, which I don't mind anymore, and calories burned from external apps like under armour not adding onto my calories from s health turned me off. 

I think you've given me the sign to get the gear Sport instead, which whilst great it sucks because I wanted to get the ionic but thank you so much for giving me what I needed, without me actually asking. 

[Inuyasha02]

Thanks for your response. Apple Watch and android wear had the ability to replay on their first version. 

[Inuyasha02]

Hey , happy I could help. 

  In all honesty I’m a tech nerd 🤓. With that being said I’ve owned the gear s3 it’s not a true fitness device. My take it’s more of a smart watch With some fitness features, and those fitness features are good. But the actual heart rate sensor is not an accurate! I measure it against a chest strap, and my polar m600 (android wear). Also against my Apple Watch Nike it is in series 3. The Apple Watch Series 3 is terrible if you’re not doing solid state cardio, and the M 600 is a little bit better because it has a total of six LEDs best sensing your heart rate. The reason I have purchased the fit bit is for the battery life both Apple Watch Series 3 and android ,only get one day at the most. The Samsung S3 frontier is the one that I had great looking device and decent battery life. But if I’m going to buy device meant for fitness I needed to perform and keep up with my heart rate no matter what type of training I’m doing . It’s true wrist based devices aren’t completely accurate, but I must say the fit bit has been pretty close. If only the smart features were on  The same level as it’s fitness features! So just my honest opinion if fit bit Can correct these issues I think it will be one of the best currently on the market. If not the $300 price point is entirely too much.