Feedback for Ionic

[JayJay_de]

Hi all,

Hi Fitbit Team,

I'm new to fitbit and bought the new Ionic, as I thought it would be a good idea to go forward and switch to a kind of a "Smartwatch" which comes from a Fitness Tracker Brand instead of a Smartwatch which has only slight fitness features.

But surprisingly the Ionic (and also Mobile App) brings less insights into my activity and fitness data as I had before. Is this based on the early of the OS? Will there be more features or more detailed insights later?
E.g. will there be an stress monitor/status/history later?
Or .. on the watch I can only see the current total numbers of steps, stairs, current heart rate etc. I was surprised, that I cant klick on the total numbers to see something like a history for the last 1..2..3 h or the day. Will this come later?

I can also not really track an workout at the gym. Yes, I can choose the colorful picture as a Training which is named e.g. Weights or Workout . But behind? ... nothing more than "track total time of activity, calories, heart rate". Will this be improved later?

The "Smart Functions"
Will it be possible later, that apps can use WiFi independent from the Mobile? Otherwise it has no added value. I will never be able to use any useful App (besides "Music") without my phone.

E.g. Flipboard, NYT ... only 500 letters or so - ok
Good would be e.g. a newsreader, in best case usage with WiFi, otherwise with a cache for synced articles etc. from the smartphone.

Wallet is also not useable within most countries.

But yes, the watch has a really great, bright and colorful touch-screen display, the design is exactly what I want, the strategy of a smart features enabled watch is exactly the right way (also in regard to the battery life) .... but I am not sure what are the near future plans and the strategy with this Hardware. For me it is a deciding reason whats your strategy and goal here: more fitness, more smart, both or nothing of that or between all, but nothing good.

Sorry to say that in these words. But I hope I will get some useful information in this way, to be able to make a decision.

Thanks
Jonny

Moderator edit: Edit title for clarity 

[WavyDavey]

Hi @JayJay_de,

Your questions aren't easy to answer. All the ones that are basically "will this type of feature ever be released?" can't be answered, as Fitbit doesn't typically pre-announce features that way.

I'm curious what you meant by not being able to track a workout in the gym. What kind of workout, and what kind of tracking are you looking for specifically?

[bbarrera]

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@JayJay_dewrote:

But surprisingly the Ionic (and also Mobile App) brings less insights into my activity and fitness data as I had before. Is this based on the early of the OS? Will there be more features or more detailed insights later?
E.g. will there be an stress monitor/status/history later?
Or .. on the watch I can only see the current total numbers of steps, stairs, current heart rate etc. I was surprised, that I cant klick on the total numbers to see something like a history for the last 1..2..3 h or the day. Will this come later?

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@JayJay_de what were you using before?

Fitbit has always focused on getting people to move, with step challenges and a simple summary of your overall activity and health data:

- calories consumed

- calories burned

- water consumption

- sleep

- weight 

- active minutes

- heart rate

- steps

- "miles" (mostly steps * stride)

The web and mobile app dashboards allow you to view some trends. The Ionic (surprisingly) does not allow you to view trends. 

Fitbit info on overall activity and health is interesting, for some, and I agree there isn't much detailed fitness data. From my viewpoint, Fitbit appears to be primarily interested in logging activities with only total time, calories, and HR. Some activities like running offer more details. Even with running, it is not possible on Fitbit dashboard to see running trends - for example "miles" on your dashboard includes all your steps, for entire day. Fitbit launched multi-sport Surge in late 2014, and over 3 years later we still only have very basic activity data.

Fitbit has publicly stated the smartwatch is the future, therefore I believe there will be more focus on making fitbitOS more stable and useful. If you've used another smartwatch, there is a lot of missing features (e.g. notifications, App Store, features to support 3rd party app developers, use of steps for distance when using GPS for walking and running, lack of general purpose multitasking, etc, etc).

Without a public strategy and roadmap for Ionic, and the overall lack of smartwatch features from a company dedicating itself to smartwatches, you should make a decision based on the Ionic today. If it meets your needs, keep it. If it doesn't, return it and check back later.

[Saku-wan]

@imeson79,

Hi, thank you for your reply. I agree with you, to much trouble with this device. Using it for a week now. Tracker functions are OK, but smartwatch functions are less. But I'm on WM10, used MS Band 2 which broke again, so not I don't much alternatives so far.  

[SunsetRunner]

No Worries Saku,

Sadly most companies, like Polar, Garmin, Fitbit and Suunto, I believe are stopping with development of Windows Phone 10.

Not sure if you are aware that even Microsoft have pulled the plug on the OS. 😞 I did enjoy Windows Phone but there was no market for it out there.

I might suggest if you want something like the MS Band 2, might try the Garmin Vivo Active I think it is.

[Saku-wan]

@SunsetRunner

Hi, thanks for the reply. Yes, I knew they pulled the plug, but I still have to used for a while cause our company uses Office 365 with tough security compliance, very easy to setup on WM10 but on Android its a whole mess! I have a Galaxy S8+ and Gear Sports already, able to switch easily.

[jamesvfennell]

I think the big issue is that I (presumably along with many others) bought this on release for circa £300 and despite 2 firmware updates this is still nowhere near £300 worth of kit. 

When you pay a premium price you expect a premium product - there really is no excuse for the issues many users have faced when the product has been put at that price point

[N8teGee]

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@NellyGwrote:

I'm amazed at the comments here! I dont think the Ionic is broken at all. It's my favourite tracker. I really really like mine! 

Personally my Ionic has been mostly ok, but you only have to have a quick scan of this forum to see that there are many issues. Syncing probably being the biggest one. Although not being exclusive to the Ionic, one would expect a £299 smartwatch to be able to perform that basic function without fail.

[NellyG]

I realise there are problems with it (Ive had syncing issues), but considering the number sold it is not an overwhelming number. Im just suprised no one has said anything positive about the Ionic - just lots of negatives. I think a special edition one is a great idea. I hope it goes well. Id like to see the band sold separately but I doubt it will, going on other special edition Fitbits. 

[N8teGee]

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@NellyGwrote:

Im just suprised no one has said anything positive about the Ionic - just lots of negatives. 

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Unfortunately I think this pretty much sums it up. Of course, you are right in saying most people come here to vent their frustrations, but the praises are few and far between. Hopefully things will start to improve though. 

[Saku-wan]

@NellyGactually a good comment. I want to say that I very like the Ionic's form factor compared to my Gear Sports or Gear S3. It fits perfect at my wrist, whereas I have problems with round watches. That's why I'm also liked the MS Band 2 very much (square like form). I'm also a Fitbit longtime user, but fact is, there are serious sync issues with iOS, Android or W10..this forum is full of sync issues. I'm facing them too. Another fact is, that the Ionic app store is very thin yet, some of the apps also don't work properly too. Not to mention that tedious music transfer. I hope that Fitbit will fix most of the issues with another Ionic OS update. 

[Ralendil]

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@jamesvfennellwrote:

I think the big issue is that I (presumably along with many others) bought this on release for circa £300 and despite 2 firmware updates this is still nowhere near £300 worth of kit. 

When you pay a premium price you expect a premium product - there really is no excuse for the issues many users face when the product has been put at that price point

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Fixed...

Don't thank me

[wizll]

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@NellyGwrote:

I realise there are problems with it (Ive had syncing issues), but considering the number sold it is not an overwhelming number. Im just suprised no one has said anything positive about the Ionic - just lots of negatives. I think a special edition one is a great idea. I hope it goes well. Id like to see the band sold separately but I doubt it will, going on other special edition Fitbits. 

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my positive. i'll know it'll still work if I went from my current iPhone to an android phone when the time comes this year. If I had an apple watch, i'd end up with a $300 piece of glass. so I give fitbit credit for supporting a wider range of phones in general and that's not an easy task.

[byankster]

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@wizllwrote:

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@NellyGwrote:

I realise there are problems with it (Ive had syncing issues), but considering the number sold it is not an overwhelming number. Im just suprised no one has said anything positive about the Ionic - just lots of negatives. I think a special edition one is a great idea. I hope it goes well. Id like to see the band sold separately but I doubt it will, going on other special edition Fitbits. 

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my positive. i'll know it'll still work if I went from my current iPhone to an android phone when the time comes this year. If I had an apple watch, i'd end up with a $300 piece of glass. so I give fitbit credit for supporting a wider range of phones in general and that's not an easy task.

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Which addresses one if my theories. I wonder how many issues people are having are caused by their phones and its current configuration and not the Ionic.

[NellyG]

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@byanksterwrote: 

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Which addresses one if my theories. I wonder how many issues people are having are caused by their phones and its current configuration and not the Ionic.

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I have no idea either, but I would guess quite a few!