Fitbit OS 4.1 - Firmware Release (70.7.14)

[MattFitbit]

Fitbit Update: 12/5

Hi everyone!

We’re excited to announce the release of Fitbit OS 4.1 (Firmware Version: 70.7.14). 

We've begun releasing this new firmware to customers. This is a progressive rollout which means everyone will receive it at different stages until it has been completely released to all users. We roll out releases in phases as a cautionary measure so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. 

*Firmware releases are not distributed based on region or location and can reach anyone no matter where you reside. We do not recommend performing a factory reset to force the update to your device as your data will be lost and you may not get the update. Please be patient and wait until you see the update banner inside of the Fitbit app to begin the firmware download.

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

The update includes a variety of new features and enhancements, including: 

• Smart wake: Smart wake will gently begin to wake you with subtle vibrations during the optimal part of your sleep cycle (during light or REM) within a 30-minute window prior to your pre-set alarm. This allows you to wake up feeling refreshed. 

• Clock face switcher: You will now be able to store up to five clock faces right on your device and quickly change from one to the other using the new clock face switcher.

• On-wrist Sleep Score: The score will now be available in the on-device dashboard that can be accessed by swiping up from the clock face. You can still see it alongside your sleep data within the Fitbit app after you sync.

• Exercise app improvements: The redesigned Exercise app will now display all 20 workouts in a new streamlined list on your wrist. 

• Battery notification: When your battery is running low, a new feature will automatically disable notification vibrations

• Agenda app: A new Agenda app allows you to see your calendar right on your wrist. 

For more information on the new features included in Fitbit OS 4.1 check out this article. You can also check out our press release. 

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Step by step instructions for updating your Ionic can be found here. 

If you run into any trouble updating your Ionic, I recommend reviewing these troubleshooting tips. 

We appreciate your patience while we work to roll this out to everyone. 

[SharonDevon]

@SunsetRunner  Interesting that you should be aware of this Mark as I am still still getting very woolly/not describe responses from Fitbit. I have been in this position since the Sept update where I was within warranty now outside warranty, As a result of the Heart Rate Monitor Oct working, My personal fitness score has fallen through the fall due to this fault.

The latest email from Fitbit refers to 

"As every other sport watch, this type of situations can happen for reasons that are out of our hands. We always take our customers evaluations and feedback into consideration. Therefore, our engineers are always working hard to improve our product quality and designs"

Clearly if this 'out of their hands', then I would want to know why this hasn't come to light before where you was aware.....something not quite right here.

Within 3 days of this release, this post is up to 4 pages mostly of unhappy customers.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi, @SharonDevon the reason I am aware of any issues is because I am also a beta tester and have been testing this firmware for the last six weeks.  On the list of known issues for 70.7.14 is the acceleration algorithm can show HRM spikes or completely flatline, also battery drain can be excessive until you factory reset the watch.

I actually had an issue this morning while out running, my Ionic switched itself off and lost half of my run.  It would only switch back on by pressing all 3 buttons! on top of that despite being fully charged yesterday the battery dropped to 42% and the strap is starting to peel away!!!

At least my Garmin Venu which I was wearing on my other wrist continued to work flawlessly, tracking the run, uninterrupted bluetooth streaming to my headphones and it instantly synced as soon as I saved the activity.  It also gave my cadence, Vo2 max, Spo2, average speed etc. etc. updates are seamless, notifications just work and the AMOLED screen is just gorgeous.  

[malar]

blackberry KeyOne.

[SharonDevon]

Thanks @SunsetRunner . I'm going to have a look at Garmin Venu. I use to have the Garmin Forerunner before switching to Fitbit about 5 years ago. I think I may be switching back...! 

[SunsetRunner]

@SharonDevon I can highly recommend it, so much so that I've bought my wife a Vivomove 3s for Christmas to replace her ageing Charge 2! Only thing I don't like is that you have to have two separate apps on your phone, Garmin connect for syncing and recording activities and Garmin IQ for installing apps, widgets, data fields and watch faces.

[iryantosyam]

Hi

So exciting, can't wait for the new firmware (Fitbit OS 4.1), when is my turn?

[TomDuke]

My Ionic is 2 years old and the update was the fastest and easiest I have ever experienced in.

[slbert]

It took mine about 5 minutes to update...definitely the fastest of the updates so far. I had a heart stopping moment when it didn't come on after I turned it off. But using the two button method worked. I do like the ability to save additional clock faces and the agenda app is nice.

[Hadoken]

Can any of the mods answer the question will this firmware update fix the notification issues loads of us are having? I don't see this mentioned anywhere and I am reluctant to update when it becomes available to my device as the last firmware update broke notifications altogether.

[GoalMaker]

My issue with FitBit Pay is now resolved but in a rather convoluted way.  I was unable to check my Wallet setup via the Phone after FitBit Pay stopped working - was getting "Checking For PIN" message which never completed.

What I did was:

1. Changed my Clock Face
2. Checked my left button shortcut and Saved
3. Opened the Wallet on the phone app - now magically it recognised that my PIN had been set and cards registered.

[Michelle3161]

I did the update on mine earlier today. It had to calibrate it so I made sure that was fine. It stopped working an hour ago. Like you I’m very disappointed. 

[panda88]

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Ionic/Notifications-Received-but-No-Indications-of-Notifications-Com...

This has remained unfixed for a while already...

[Greatcat]

You are not the only one,  I met the same problem,  my ionic was dead after updated 

[youhippy]

People don't give up hope. You really should be entitled to receive a replacement. This is outragous that they pushed this update on devices when this exact same thing happened during the beta testing.

I was taking part in the most recent beta and it bricked my device. I kicked up such a fuss that I got a replacement sent out. 

It's very dissapointing to know that it's still an issue and they went ahead and released it to everyone. 

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi everybody, thanks for keep sharing your comments with us. 

It's important to remember this is a progressive rollout which means everyone will receive it at different stages until it has been completely released to all users. We roll out releases in phases as a cautionary measure so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. 

*Firmware releases are not distributed based on region or location and can reach anyone no matter where you reside. We do not recommend performing a factory reset to force the update to your device as your data will be lost and you may not get the update. Please be patient and wait until you see the update banner inside of the Fitbit app to begin the firmware download.

@ljepava Have you tried the steps suggested here? You can check the more details about the latest Fitbit device update: What's changed in the latest Fitbit device update? 

@Navyvoce Thanks for all the details about the issues that you're having with your Fitbit. I really appreciate all the troubleshooting steps that you've tried until now. I've requested a case on your behalf. You should soon receive an email from Customer Support. 

@wiggi72 Our team will be glad to give you a hand with the Fitbit pin of your Ionic. I've requested a case on your behalf. You should soon receive an email from Customer Support as well.

@Mishoelsherif Thanks for sharing this information. I've checked with our team and we have reassigned your case for a deeply investigation. Please keep communication open with them, I'm sure they will do their best to keep assisting you.

@Hadoken For more information on the new features included in Fitbit OS 4.1 check out this article. 

@Michelle3161 and @Greatcat Please check the steps suggested here on your Ionic and keep me posted on the resolution. 

HOW DO I UPDATE: Step by step instructions for updating your Ionic can be found here. If you run into any trouble updating your Ionic, I recommend reviewing these troubleshooting tips. 

We appreciate your patience while we work to roll this out to everyone. 

[djavabean]

I’m excited to hear about the calendar app, but I’m disappointed with the exercise updates. I don’t wear reading glasses while I run and the new menu is harder to see.

Also, I now have to take off a glove to start a run because it no longer allows using the right-bottom button to start. (One reason I have liked the Ionic over the Apple Watch is the use of physical buttons.)

[Stevocarter]

I’m on my third replacement tracker. Original one, the battery died, would
only hold charge for a few hours.
First replacement m the screen failed.
Second replacement now it keeps shutting down. And before this the distance
tracking was off.
Terrible.

[Gregc63]

Updated my Ionic to Firmware version: 27.70.7.14 yesterday.

After doing so, I noticed my calorie burn for a workout I do almost daily (stationary bike-spinning) went from 700-800 for a 1 hour session to 1600 calories burned, seems pretty inaccurate even though I stay in the upper limit of Cardio and the lower end of Peak for the full 60 minutes.

Also, when trying to switch clock faces, it never appears to finish, continually says "Switching" and then I get a message saying "Unable To Install" even though the clock face switches and I can change settings. Once that happens, I cannot switch to another clock face until I restart my phone and watch several times.

There is also a clock face I have From Tidalwave http://tidalwave.eu that lets you change the background with pics or graphics files from you phone and this feature no longer works. This worked fine until the clock face switching option was introduced.

Also, I seem to spend a lot of time getting my watch to connect to my phone and sync up. This is extremely annoying and usually takes several watch restarts and phone restarts, even then the connectivity is spotty at best.

[carlfxy]

@Gregc63 Hi, I would check your weight on the app. My wife recently had the same problem, then we discovered the app had been picking up my weight (+70lbs) from our bluetooth scale ! lol . 

[YojanaFitbit]

Thanks for getting back to me!

@Stevocarter thank you for your feedback. Please note that our main purpose is to avoid negative experiences to our customers, we're always willing to help and provide troubleshooting steps. Then, if the tracker is deemed defective we review eligibility using the one year warranty option.

@djavabean Thanks for sharing your feedback about the new menu. If you need to start your "Run" activities using the button. You can check the "Settings" on your Ionic, check the option "Left Button" to set a shortcut for quick access to your workouts. For anything else you would like to see implemented in the future, consider visiting our Feature Suggestions board.

@Gregc63 I really appreciate all the details you're sharing about your Fitbit Ionic. Please make sure to restart your Fitbit Ionic and check future heart rate readings. Please take a look of this helpful article: How do I improve the accuracy of my heart-rate reading on my Fitbit device? Make sure to test different clock faces and confirm you've followed the steps here. 

@carlfxy thanks for sharing your input. 

I'll be around if you have more questions.