Add chatter and greeting on Charge series

[Fosile]

I got my first Fitbit some 18 months ago, a Charge 2. I fell in love with it and its fun chatter and humorous greetings really turned my motivation on. For me this was one very important key for me embracing the idea of wearing a tracking device like this. It persuaded me with its fun and humour. A simple detail like that there are several different ways in which it "celebrates" when you have reached your daily main goal: fireworks, popping circles, glittering patterns and the best one of them all: the space rocket. Getting the space rocket really made my day! And those fun and cheerful greetings: "Up and at'em!" "Ready to roll!" "Left foot, right foot!"

I loved the Charge 2, but it had a lot of issues with screen spontaneously cracking in the heat. After my third watch in 12 months had a huge crack, I decided I would try a different model and I went to the Versa. Big disappointment!! The screen was nice, it worked ok (had some syncing issues and some false/inaccurate pulse readings) - but what happened to my cheerful friend? No greetings and only two different celebrations. I found it boring and a let down. I kept walking and achieving my goals but the spark is missing. Where is the fun?

So now I have gotten a Charge 3, since I was hoping it would be more like the Charge 2. The smiley face when I plugged it in the charger made me hopeful. After one week it seems to be working well and somewhat better and more accurate than the Versa. But - also here - where is the chatter? The funny comments? The cheering?

Since both the chatter and the greetings are optional on the Charge 2, why can't this feature also be incorporated into the Charge 3? It would make the world of a difference to me. I really don't have a sad or miserable life at all, and I will be able to keep up my motivation for exercising, but what simply made my day every day on the Charge 2 seems to have disappeared totally from the Charge 3 (and the Versa). I do not care about getting the weather forecast or listening to music through the watch and I really don't want any cell phone notifications from it either. But I need the fun. Please consider bringing this feature back.

Moderator edit: Clarified subject (as more goal celebrations were released)

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @skwhite7. Thanks for sharing this suggestion about receiving greetings on your Charge 4 with us. This idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, so I’ve moved your post here. This will help us to keep the forums organized and make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote. Click on the thumbs-up to show your support and keep adding your suggestions.

[user5747]

It's clear Fitbit doesn't care how much the greetings & chatter meant to some of us, since these comments started two models ago.  We're not all buying fitbit to train.  I've had a Charge 1 & and then a 2 for years.  The Charge 2 just died.  I probably would not have purchased the Charge 5 if I had realized it's focus is serious training and fitbit dropped the friendly chatter a couple of models ago.  You're going to lose a market but I guess it's more profitable to sell programs to the seriously training.  I suspect you underestimate your market of happy walkers, pleased with a friendly tracking device.

[JudieK]

I totally agree with this notion but thought I was strange.  I came to these forums to see if I could suggest reinstating greetings and chatter, but I see I am not alone in this!  Why is this such a hard thing to provide?  I got a Charge 2 in 2017.  I moved on to Apple Watch, and just recently came back to Fitbit after several years (I wear both now).  I fired up my old Charge 2, and it was so "happy" to see me!  I know this sounds silly, but it's like it has a little personality, kind of like a puppy.  I bought the Charge 5 because I wanted the extra features for Premium.  To my disappointment, there is no greeting, and no chatter.  It makes me feel ambivalent about it.  Meanwhile, my Charge 2 is sitting there, eager to please me... so I decided to wear it at night, just to keep it in the loop.  Every time I pick it up, it's like, "Let's Go!" and "Ready to Roll!"   I almost feel guilty not wearing it more!  I think Fitbit is seriously missing the boat if it doesn't bring back this seemingly low-tech and simple feature.  Why don't they??  Make it optional.  I miss it so much.  Some people just like anthropomorphizing their tech.  I am one of those people.

[saerah]

I just bought a charge 5 after the wrist band on my charge 2 kept detaching every day. I somehow noticed eacb time, as the tracker would fall off into my bag, into my shirtsleeve, onto the floor or the sink every day, and several band replacements did not improve the situation. Now I have the charge 5. No altimeter? No greeting?  I have a compromised immune system, so all I can do is walk and do stairs. The loss of the altimeter is a deal breaker for me. It's going back. 

Others have mentioned the removal of *greetings*, so I won't expand on that--just to say that's a major disappointment, and count me in on that vote. 

I have loved my fitbit but I'm switching to another tracker with an altimeter until fitbit puts the altimeter back. (And reinstated greetings would make me feel good about coming back.)

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone, and thanks so much for sharing this Product Feedback! While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. Since we know this idea is important to many of you, we have left voting open to continue tracking interest and will post another update if anything changes. To learn more about how Fitbit decides what product feedback is developed, visit our FAQs.

We're always striving to enhance Fitbit products and services, and your input is a big part of that process. We truly thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.