Versa 2 announced

[t.parker]

Fitbit CEO announced Versa 2:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/28/fitbit-versa-2-smartwatch-with-amazon-alexa-price-release.html

No mentioning of SpO2 at all so I believe it's something users may forget about for good.

As @SteveH mentioned below, there is SpO2 mentioned in the press release. Apparently, I missed that.

There's more about the new Premium direction of Fitbit as a company:

https://www.engadget.com/2019/08/28/fitbit-premium/

[SteveH]

SPO2 sensor is listed in the specs and the press release says:

• Estimated Oxygen Variation Graph : Coming soon, this graph will provide users with an estimate of the variability of oxygen levels in their bloodstream. The data is derived from a combination of the red and infrared sensors on the back of your device. Being aware of short-term variations in the oxygen levels in your bloodstream may indicate variations in your breathing during sleep.

[PatTheDog]

Reducing the number of buttons from 3 to 1 seems a huge step backwards. One of the things I love about my Versa 1 is the ability to control music volume and launch apps without looking at the screen.

My Versa 1 is actually only 3 weeks old and I still have the option to return it, but I'd really miss those buttons. An extra  half day of battery would be nice but is hardly compelling. To be honest  I can't think of a use case for Alexa when I already have Siri which I barely use.

I like the idea of the sleep cycle alarm though. Let's hope it comes to the Versa 1 too.

[SteveH]

@PatTheDog I think the Smart Alarm will be on the Versa 1 too as the press release says in its footnotes:

"Smart wake coming soon; available only on Fitbit Ionic and Fitbit Versa family of smartwatches." 

[BirdieT]

So excited for this I could not pre-order it fast enough! This will be my first real "smart" watch. I have had one of the original FitBit clip-ons, a FitBit Charge 2, and now a Charge 3. I had a Google alert set up to tell me when the announcement was made but I kept checking the news anyway and I saw it this morning. 😄

Does anyone know if the FitBit Versa straps will work with the Versa 2? I have a friend who has promised me some of her Versa straps but I have no idea if they will work.

[SteveH]

@BirdieT Yes, the straps for the Versa 1 and Versa Lite will work on the Versa 2

[t.parker]

@SteveH you are right, I added a correction to the first post in this thread. Thanks for correcting me.

I see it also lists Spotify as a feature on the pre-order page, however then in details, it says "control your Spotify app". I'm curious whether it will allow to download and play Spotify music from the watch or will allow controlling Spotify mobile app only (which is how I understand "Control your Spotify app").

[SteveH]

@t.parker spotify is control of the phone app only - there is no option to download music. I fear this will be a confusing feature

[t.parker]

@SteveH it is confusing indeed. On the page you can see:

There are two little diamonds next to Notifications. If you scroll to the very bottom of the page you can see clarification:

"Spotify subscription required. App not available in all countries."

The subscription is required in order to listen to Spotify songs offline. This short sentence suggests that we may be able to use Spotify offline on the watch (like Deezer). So there are some contradicting messages. It would be good if someone from Fitbit could clarify it.

[datalore]

I think you're right about it being confusing for users. I'm planning to upgrade. I've had good luck with my Versa 1 for the past year. The only concern I have is that I'm a swimmer and I've had zero problem with the first versa and I hope I get lucky again. 

[SteveH]

Hopefully we'll get that confirmation from fitbit re spotify. The clearest note I have found so far is on the pre-sales page under features where it says:

"Control your Spotify app, download Pandora stations and add Deezer playlists"

[urmoluts]

i hope that connecting versa for gps signal from iphone 6s or oneplus 6 will get fixed. if not, then i dont see anything to invest another 200 eur for nice looking watch what is not good for running with versa tracking.

[SunsetRunner]

so, which of these features will be coming to the fitbit ionic? Spotify would be ideal 😓

[SteveH]

@SunsetRunner some of the new features will be made available to the Ionic, such as Smart Wake and Sleep Mode. The press release mentions these but when it comes to spotify it doesn't mention the Ionic so it's not clear about that one. Don't forget though that the Versa 2 Spotify app is only used to control the Spotify app on your phone - it doesn't use spotify directly.

[GrubbyDuck]

No. Will never own. Versa 2 will still not record mileage for bike rides. £200 of tech and such a basic function is missing.  

I am not owning another FitBit product. When this Versa fails I am moving to another provider.

Surge was adequate. Ionic was returned within the month and since 1st edition Versa release? I have had nothing but back to back hardware & software operating issues.

FitBit app does not even record mileage covered on bike rides. A basic function of a fitness tracker is that not? Garmin & Polar achieved it so why not FitBit?  Just keep on being told 'we (FitBit) are investigating' and that has been for nearly 8 months now.

I am not spending anymore of my time than not in chat, on the  phone or on these forums acting as unpaid R&D for Fitbit. As said, when this Versa fails? FitBit will lose my custom.

[tntsivo]

Can we fix the Versa first! It’s a mess after the update. Can’t sync, incorrect time....

[danielrosenbay]

Hi Steve! You seem to know a lot about the fibit, on the new fitibit versa 2 ad it's saying that have enhanced sleep tracking... I want to buy a fitbit to track my sleep, but I am between the fitbit versa 2 and the fitbit lite... do you know what is the actual difference? It's the versa 2 more precise? I look at the comparison and they show to have the same...