Versa Questions

[dbrewood]

Okay guys I'm a Gear S3 owner and have pre-ordered a Versa as I'm moving more and more towards fitness features in a wearable. I'll be using the Versa with a Galaxy Note 8. I've now some concerns about features I may not have in the Versa and am considering whether to cancel the order. If anyone can advise on the following it'd be appreciated:

• Calendar - I use Exchange  for email and access that via the 'Nine' app on the phone. Will the calendar be accessible on the Versa?
• At night I leave the Note 8 downstairs and switch the watch into flight mode. It looks lie this is not possible?
• At night it looks like there is no facility to turn off screen taps from activating the watch, is this correct?
• Can the Versa be used to make / receive phone calls or do you just get notifications of who is calling?
• Will the notifications allow responses say for example responding to an app Authentication response?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

[dbrewood]

Oh and also a little concerned as to whether it will work okay on my tattooed forearms.

[Bunnybear_05]

It can not make or receive calls. You can quick answer from your watch or decline a call. But the call will pick up from your actual phone. You can quick reply to text messages from your watch once they have the feature up and running. If the area where the sensor touches your arm is not tattooed, there should be no reason the heart rate monitor shouldn’t work. The sensor is right underneath the Face of the watch. 

[SunsetRunner]

No there is no direct calendar access, nor app that gives it.

No there is no airplane mode.

Yes, after a fashion, you can disable the screen but only by changing the song from Auto to Manual on "Raise to wake". It's view I turn off my screen during the night.

No you can't make it receive calls on it.

The is no authentication app at the moment and it is not yet known what the canned responses will be. If imagine there will be an option to edit in your own.

And tattooed arms may cause complications with the HR reader.

All in all, not looking good for you 😞

[dbrewood]

Thanks guys none of those are killers I guess. I can (but don't) take calls on the S3.

• The Microsoft Authenticator app just needs the ability to give a yes or no response via the wearable will be Versa be able to do that? I'm hoping so......
• The Gear S3 has issues with the tattoos too as they are directly under the sensors. However that does not affect any functionality apart from I can't use Samsung Pay without constantly authenticating via a PIN. As I'll not be actively using the heart rate monitor on the Versa (I'm 55 and looking to improve fitness but not stress my heart) will non operancy of it affect any functionality on the watch?
• If the Note 8 gives an 'incoming email' notification from 'Nine' that is a standard Android notification, will that show up on the Versa? If so I can live with that.

[N8teGee]

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@dbrewoodwrote:

Thanks guys none of those are killers I guess. I can (but don't) take calls on the S3.

• The Microsoft Authenticator app just needs the ability to give a yes or no response via the wearable will be Versa be able to do that? I'm hoping so......
• The Gear S3 has issues with the tattoos too as they are directly under the sensors. However that does not affect any functionality apart from I can't use Samsung Pay without constantly authenticating via a PIN. As I'll not be actively using the heart rate monitor on the Versa (I'm 55 and looking to improve fitness but not stress my heart) will non operancy of it affect any functionality on the watch?
• If the Note 8 gives an 'incoming email' notification from 'Nine' that is a standard Android notification, will that show up on the Versa? If so I can live with that.

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Currently there isn't any kind of authenticator app in the fitbit app gallery. I'm not sure if one could or couldn't be developed but if the SDK and api's allow it then it should be possible.

You can turn off the HR sensor/reading, the tracker will just use step count to calculate your calorie burn. Whether this is less accurate I couldn't tell you.

You can select app notifications from any app on your phone. So your phone will receive the android notification and then relay that onto your watch. At the moment all the notifications are just read only, but fitbit OS 2.0 will allow you to reply to some. 

[dbrewood]

Thanks for that. Ref the authenticator no Fitbit app is needed, only the ability to respond to a notification from the phone with a yes or no.

[N8teGee]

That I can't answer at this stage as I'm still waiting for the 2.0 update on my Ionic. I'm not sure if the quick responses are limited to messaging apps only. If the authentication is in the form of a text message being sent to your phone then from what I understand you should be able to set your custom responses to "Yes" or "No", that's assuming we can actually customise the responses in the first place. As for other app notifications, we don't yet know if they will be actionable or remain read only. 

[dbrewood]

Thanks for that, a wait and see situation as I thought as it's not clear from reading the manual.

I guess that functionality, apps viability and stats watch faces will be my killer decision points for whether I keep it or return it for a refund. I just wish there was detailed information available from Fitbit on the web site. I'm crossing fingers!

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @dbrewood, I hope you're doing well, it's nice to see you around. Thanks for all your help @Bunnybear_05, @N8teGee and @SunsetRunner, I appreciate it. 

@dbrewood, first of all, I would like to apologize for the delay in my response. Now, to provide an answer to your inquiries:

• Unfortunately, Exchange can't be selected when setting up Calendar Notifications, however you can enable it as an App Notification once you receive a notification from any app on your phone, you can go to Account > Versa > Notifications > App Notifications and that app will be listed to be selected. Once selected you will be able to receive Notifications from the app (Exchange, Nine, etc.)
• Even though the Versa does not have a flight mode, you can enable the Do Not Disturb mode from the clock screen by holding the back button and then swipe to the shortcuts screen.
• As @SunsetRunner mentioned, you can change the setting for the screen from Auto to Manual, so the screen doesn't turn on unless you press a button.
• The Versa can't make phone call, but as @Bunnybear_05 mentioned, you can watch and answer the call through the watch, the call will only pick up on your phone though.
• The Versa will have quick responses on Android, these will be available later on, however, responding to a pop-up or prompt from an Authentication app will need some testing.
• Now about your tattoos, many people have used the Fitbit trackers with tattooed forearms without inconveniences but at the end, it will also depend on the position where the tracker will be worn. We will appreciate your feedback on this matter. 

I hope this resolves your inquiries, if there's anything else I can do for you, please feel free to reply. 

[dbrewood]

Thanks for the response 🙂 I did end up going with the Ionic as it looked more manly (to me). Very pleased with it and the notifications do work as has been stated. The heart rate sensor does work through my red / black tattoos which is great news.

Fingers cross ref the authenticator when response to requests comes later this year!

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @dbrewood, I hope you're doing well, thanks for taking the time to reply. 

Congratulations on your new Ionic! I'm very glad you decided to purchase it and I'm very glad you're pleased with it and its heart sensor. Once we have more information to share about the upcoming quick-reply feature we'll make sure to let you know. 

Thanks again for taking the time to reply, if there's anything else I can do for you, please feel free to reply. 

[Littlemis]

I would not recommend the versa currently.  Too many issues with it and fitbit do not seem to be resolving them.  Maybe best to wait to buy the versa once all issues are resolved.  

[dbrewood]

Thanks Margo, appreciated 🙂

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @Littlemis, thanks for joining the conversation, it's great to see you around. It's nice to see you as well @dbrewood, thanks for taking the time to reply. 

@Littlemis, I appreciate your insight and feedback about the situation. Please keep in mind that our team is always working towards improving the Fitbit experience and I understand your concern about the Versa.

@dbrewood, you're very welcome, if there's anything else I can help you with, don't hesitate to reply, I'll be happy to help. 

[meeks08]

when will you be able to receive and answer a text on this watch?

[Curiousbunny101]

So can you do the quick text response on an Apple iPhone 7 

[Condo10]

I am having trouble setting up music on my versa

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @meeks08, @Condo10and @Curiousbunny101, thanks for joining the Fitbit Community, it's great to have you on board. 

@Curiousbunny101 and @meeks08, please note that you will be able to receive Notifications for messages coming through the Messaging app on your phone or other apps such as Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, etc. However, keep in mind that Quick Replies, is only available for Android users, meaning that if you have an Android phone, you will be able to configure Quick Replies and use them through the Versa. 

@Condo10, Would it be possible for you reply with more information about the issue you're experiencing when transferring music to your Versa? A screenshot of any error message and the troubleshooting steps you've tried so far will also be very helpful.

Thanks for your patience and understanding, we'll be waiting to hear form you.