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The people in development are producing work that makes them look extremely narrow minded. This is supposed to be a device to live by. They clearly have put little to no thought into what that means.
They can identify the devices as Charge I and Charge II. Entire new technologies have sprouted up in the amount of time that Fitbit has been ignoring its customers on this issue.
I have multiple Kindle devices and the app simply asks me where to download to. There are many, many examples of how this type of thing can easily be done.
Yes, I do believe that it's possible. I said on my last post that I didn't think it was impossible, but that it's not as simple as people make it out to be.
Many folks on this thread are thinking, you can make multiple of different models work, making multiple of the same model work is just the same.
It's not.
For instance, these are portions of the UI from the online dashboard and Fitbit App:
Portions of the UI have a text description, other portions of the UI simply have an icon to distinguish the trackers (so no 'Charge I' and 'Charge II').
So it would entail updating the UI for to account for custom names on:
The online dashboard.
Windows Fitbit App (phone, desktop, laptop, tablet)
Android App (phone, tablet)
iOS App (phone, tablet)
Oh, and let's say you have two Alta (which are undistinguishable by color), you can label one as 'Alta I' and the other as 'Alta II', but let's say you're running late to work an you need to put 'Alta I' on they're both on your dresser... which one is it? Again, unlike the Charge, they're undistinguishable by color.
Now, some folks may further suggest that to enable this you update all the existing trackers to not only have name, but somehow be able to display their name, like 'Alta I' on the display. Sure, let's do firmware upgrades for the Zip, One, Charge, Charge HR, Surge and Blaze to allow for this... Of course, the Flexes will still be undistinguishable.
OR
You can just get a Charge HR instead of a 2nd Charge and move on with life.
Your Kindle example is a poor one. If you deliver the book to the wrong Kindle, it's merely an inconvenience. You simply download the book from your library, it'll take you 2 minutes tops.
If you happen to set the alarm on the wrong tracker (or syncing the wrong one, or putting the wrong one on), you may end up not waking up in time and missing your flight. I often wake up with just my tracker buzzing to allow my wife to sleep in.
Whether it's "easy" or not isn't the issue. Rather it's that: 1) they simply need to keep up with their competition who already offers this 2) they need to listen to their customers 3) they should be interested in ways to sell more devices & increase revenue.
Again, the degree of difficulty does not negate necessity & logic.
To be sure, faulty programming from the get go makes all of this more complicated now. Many of us are very bitter about having products we can't use. It was a total lack of thinking on development's end. Enabling two charges should have been a serious no brainer from the get go. As for Flexes, not everyone can afford a second Fitbit to be a Charge and we don't want to have to go without while our sole Fitbit charges. For a company that wanted to make the Fitbit a fully integrated part of daily life, Fitbit failed majorly, that's just a fact. Is it not worth the firmware investment when thousands of people are returning Fitbits they realize they can't use? What wasted opportunity and profits for this company!
Who is this guy even?! I've seen these posts defending Fitbit and how it's not as easy as it seems. A majority of this community can benefit from this feature and you're bringing these weak examples to the table stating that it's more complicated than we think. Do you live your life in such a blur that you're constantly late to work just grabbing Fitbits all willy nilly? Quick answer to that: If I'm in that much of a rush and I grab the wrong Fitbit, guess what? I can now sync the one I just grabbed if Fitbit added the ability to use 2 trackers. Alarms? Ok Rip Van Winkle. How about you pay attention to the tracker on your wrist before you set an alarm and jump into bed like Goldilocks. Like identical twins I"m sure there's a distinguising factor on one of your bands to help you tell them apart. Hell, draw a mark on the inside band with a sharpie if you're that dense. All I'm saying is don't bring that weak mess in here defending Fitbit like we're all naive. Any amount of common sense can keep your trackers sorted. I assure you this is an easy fix.
Thank you. I have a feeling this guy PureEvil is the developer in charge and doesn't want his superiors to see all these complaints and wonder why he isn't doing his job already. 🙂
You couldn't be more right. The technology exists. The need exists. Solving this problem will increase customer satisfaction and profits. It's a no brainer. To take a line from Nike, just do it!
The bottom line is, it doesn't matter WHY she wants another FitBit, or 10 of them. No company that wants to keep its customers is going to accuse them of being lazy. Why would Fitbit not relish her laziness about changing bands, if that were the case? Would they not love it if she bought 10 Flexes? Oh no, wait, they wouldn't, because then she'd find out than nine of them are useless. doh.
Fitbit is in BUSINESS, that means they need to meet customer needs AND desires to stay that way. If the competition can do it, so can Fitbit. Period.
No, I do not work for Fitbit and thus I am not the developer who would work on this feature.
I am active in the forums and have helped many folks diagnose and work around numerous problems that they may be running into.
That said, I'm just pointing out that it's not as trivially simple as many folks seem to think that it is ("you've enabled it for different trackers, you can easily enable it for the same model") and that there are many more corner cases.
The setting of alarms is just one, I can just imagine many people confused because they set an alarm on their tracker and it didn't go off. Before it would've been fewer things to diagnose ("did you sync after you set the alarm?"). Now, it would be:
Did you set the alarm on the right tracker?
Did you sync both trackers?
Did you wear the right tracker to bed?
etc.
You are right that Fitbit is a business and they need to respond to customer needs, but quite bluntly I, like you, am another Fitbit customer and if you gave me a choice between this feature or another one like team challenges or challenges on web dashboard, I would easily pick either of the other two before this one.
Next, I would disagree with you that it does matter why she wants another Fitbit of the same model.
For instance, if she really wanted this feature for the going-to-the-country scenario. She bought a second Flex and was posting consistently on this forum to get this feature enabled. Once it is available, she finds that her 2nd Flex does not hold a charge any longer since it is still consuming battery during those five days. She might've saved herself a bit of angst (and time... and money) by simply carrying a battery pack on her trip.
Additionally, I've been using multiple (different model) trackers on my account for some time. Have you? While you don't need to sync each tracker when you switch, it is a better experience. For instance, if I just got back from a run with the Blaze and did 4000 steps, I'd want the numbers on my One to reflect that step count when I leave the house (not when it eventually syncs if I happen to leave it close to my computer). In order to do that I'd have to sync the Blaze first, and then the One. No, it's not that onerous, but it does take time... You know what's easier and considerably faster? Taking the Flex out of one band and slipping it into a different band.
In other words, you'd want that feature to address a particular problem (having a charged backup on a camping trip, in this case). If the feature doesn't address this particular problem (and it wouldn't for the going-to-the-country scenario), then it really wasn't worthwhile.
And while I concede that at some level you're right, she may simply want to have 100 Flexes paired with her account and if enough people want that feature then Fitbit should implement it, you'll have to concede that Fitbit needs to understand what problem 100 Flexes paired to one account will address in order to enable that scenario most effectively.
You don't come off as helpful when you're only trying to refute what the person is going to do with this feature. Who cares what they do with it? It's what people want and for you to say that the features you want are more important is selfish and not at all helpful when discussing the current feature of being able to sync two of the same model. Can you tell me how I'm wrong by wanting 2 Charge HR's because I want to keep one clean and the other gets dirty while I'm at work?
No... In fact, having two to keep clean and dirty is a pretty legit reason to have two different trackers. Even if I could, I probably wouldn't select the same model for work and home, much like I wouldn't buy two of the same car. If I wanted to keep one clean, I'd pick a model that cleans really easily (like the Alta or Blaze, where you can pop off the bands). The price of one Blaze is less than the price of two Charge HR's.
I was merely pointing out that some of the reasons why people want it (or at least think they do, such as charged-backup-for-trip-to-country), may not necessarily address their problem.
Allow me to frame it differently... Knowing that:
You can't turn off a Flex.
The charge lasts for about five days.
You want a charged Flex five days into your trip to the country, which will last more than five days.
Tell me... How does the ability to have multiple Flexes paired to your account help? You can say it with me:
It doesn't help.
We agree on that, right? Thus knowing why people want the feature can at least mitigate whether or not it addresses their need, right?
So if 225 of the (currently) 231 votes are to enable the going-to-the-country-with-my-flexes scenario, this feature is not going to make those 225 people's lives any better, right?
Can folks at least entertain the idea that what they really want is not necessarily what they're asking for? Was it Henry Ford that said, "If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." And thus we would have no cars.
You are obviously not a girl. I wear the plastic band for work, where I have to wash my hands frequently during the day. After hours and on weekends, I bought a pretty band that the fitbit fits inside of and is a little tricky to get the fitbit out. After work, I change my watch and would like to change my fitbit bracelet too. It would just be easier with two fitbits that both can synch to the same account. Fitbit has managed to do this with two different bands, why not two of the same types?
Lol. I haven't had this much fun reading about Fitbit challenges. This request has been on the forum for a very long time. If the company wishes to be successful, this request is on their future or current projects. It's just a waiting game at this point
I am a mom of two! I have two fitbits. I had two charges and then switched to an Alta. I don't wear my charges anymore. The Alta is slimmer and the band is much more durable. I want the ability to have two of same kind. I asked almost a year ago so I could have different colors and ability to have one in charge while wearing the second. Now I enjoy my Alta and once that goes I will be switching to garmin ... It's waterproof. I wear mine nearly 24 hours. I love all the features except wish it could sync two of same model and be water proof. I have been on this forum a long time. Just interesting to see what matters to others.
Well, honestly, thank you for being pretty well humored about this. I seem to have struck less of a nerve with you than with the other folks, despite my using your scenario as an example.
And no, I'm not a girl (or woman, ). I am aware that Tory Burch had done fancy bracelets for the Flex, but the only one that I had ever used was the one that comes with the Flex. So it didn't occur to me that one of the bands may be more difficult to swap out.
All that said, in order for multiple trackers on one account to work well, you need to sync frequently. Trust me when I tell you that it can be a bit taxing... I had my wife glaring at me while we're heading to the gym while I'm explaing to her, "Wait a couple of minutes while I make sure both of my trackers synced and in the right order." I like having multiple trackers, but it is more work if you want all your stats up to date on the tracker.
For the going to the country scenario, just get a battery pack and take your charging cable with you. Trust me, it's the easiest way to address this.
If you like to accessorize and wear different styles and colors of bands, you may want to look at the Alta. It is similar in size to the Flex, but has more features and replaceable bands (colors and styles). You can either get an Alta to complement your Flex or perhaps even move to the Alta entirely (with different bands to accessorize).
I've been on Fitbit for over four years and I remember when you could only have one tracker paired to your account, so getting a different tracker paired was a big feature. As to why not two of the same type?
Like I mentioned before, internally I'm sure it's fairly easy... The problem is how do you adequately reflect that on the UI? If you have two Flexes and take them both out of the band to charge... Set the alarm on one to buzz you to wake you at 6am. You sync. Which one synced (they're both called Flex)? Did the one with the alarm synced or was it the other one? Which one do you wear to bed (in order for the alarm to wake you)? They (sitting in the charging cables) look identical, right?
If you had a Flex and an Alta, then none of this would be ambiguous. You'd know precisely which one you set the alarm on. You'd know precisely which one just synced. You'd know precisely which one to wear to bed.
As other folks pointed out, yes... These are ultimately solvable, but it's just not as simple as folks are making it out to be. Many things need to be changed in order to get this to work in a way that makes sense.
And to be bluntly honest, at only 230ish votes, it's not necessarily a feature I would spend time implementing when there are many other feature requests that have significantly more votes.
My reason for having (and now not being able to use) two Flexes is that I'm a single mom with two kids in private school. I just can't justify using a Charge as my second FitBit. The reason I want two? Because I have to remove my Fitbit to charge it and want to track 24/7; it's that simple. I am working really meticulously to improve my health and I lose one night of sleep tracking or one 45 minute walk when I have to remove my device to charge. You may not mind being without a Fitbit once or twice a week, but many of us do. Many, many of us.
Second, clearly the development team is short on women. They are of the same mind you are, thinking other features are more important than fashion. BIG and costly mistake fellas! When Fitbit had the smart idea of doing Charges in many different colors, they so missed the boat by not realizing how many women would buy one in every color to match each of her outfits. I, being necessarily cheap at the moment, bought the Flex and several different bling bands (not *by* Fitbit, by the way, which further shows their lack of female decision makers) to make my Fitbit dressy, professional, athletic... i.e. a match for any wardrobe choice. However, if money were no object, I'd want multiple Charges like many others do here, and Fitbit would instead be driving me towards another company's devices.
You are defending their turtle pace of development fixes when other companies have done ten times more in a fraction of the time. Fitbit simply won't survive if it takes them 2-3 years to make every development improvement. It may be a hard world but that's just a fact.
The thing about this "feature" that makes it more important (in terms of business sense) than others is that it actually results in lost sales AND returns of the product because people cannot use their products as needed. Whereas I would love more challenges on my Fitbit but that's not going to make me RETURN the one I have or fail to buy 2, 5, or 10 more in different colors. This particular feature is actually a deal breaker for purchases and fosters returns of existing purchases.
I'm guessing the woman leaving the country doesn't expect to be still near a charging station for long periods of time, since she is traveling, so she doesn't want to have to be tied down to some place (or lugging her battery pack around). Instead, she'd like to leave each morning with a fully charged Fitbit. Like most of us, she wants a new, fully charged Fitbit to wear while the other stays home (or at the hotel) charging. It's such a no brainer feature that it's hard to believe they never thought of it. The less savory and perhaps interim fix would be to come out with a charger than can be worn as it's charging... an ultra small and reasonably attractive batter pack necklace or bracelet so we could charge our Fitbits without taking them off (and therefore not tracking for the duration of the charge). They missed the boat, plain and simple. And if they aren't careful, a competitor will be taking over their market share sooner rather than later.
A Fitbit isn't an Apple Watch (battery life of 18 hours)... Even the models that have the shortest battery life will last for five days, which means that you can charge it up on Thursday night, leave for a long weekend and not need to charge it until Tuesday.
For giggles, I keep the low battery notifications e-mails from Fitbit to see how long my battery lasts. My last two were on 08/25 and 08/17... Eight days apart. And in fact, the battery lasts for at least a full 24 hours after the low battery notification e-mail, I know I tried it.
In other words, they never thought of the charge-one-while-I-leave-the-one-I-wore-yesterday-charging simply because having the battery last for five days makes it unnecessary.
And I wasn't suggesting that she bring the battery pack when she's out sightseeing, I was merely suggesting that she take it on her trip (leave it in her luggage), in case she doesn't have access to a USB port or an outlet. I imagine that a modest 2000 mAh battery pack will be able to charge a Flex 5 times, which means that it should last a month without access to a USB port or outlet.
Also, assuming that you'd take a shower at least once every other day, simply plug it in to charge for 20 minutes while you shower (when you shouldn't be wearing it anyway). This may not take it to 100% charge but it should keep between 50%-80% indefinitely. Try it if you don't believe me.
And incidentally, Fitbit trackers stop tracking while they're charging, so your suggestion (mobile battery packs) won't work. Again, try it if you don't believe me.
While I can understand why some users would like to see this feature available for when a spare Fitbit is charging, my original point was about the very poor quality of the Charge HR wristband. Having 2 would mean I can wear one working out and trekking and another one for day to day waking etc.
As for the comments about how difficult it would be to configure a UI for 2 of the same models, what's wrong with naming each device? Wouldn't it be the same as 2 different models?
None of you even considered the fact that the charge HR is not only about charge but also and more importantly about HR!!!! Neither Flex nor Alta have that feature... And I don't have to justify myself why I need an HR, but it is the only model (with the blaze that is clearly made for men, because it is awful on a lady's wrist) with this feature... And I'd loved to be able to switch color whenever I want! But hey, Fitbit isn't smart enough to see all the money there are loosing, because as a lot of women I would buy all color...
Another idea, make more HR models?!
And by the way, talking about HR it doesn't last more than 4 days! But, indeed, and I didn't wait for some of you to present the idea, I charge my Fitbit while taking a shower (yes a women does have brain;-)) and it works pretty well, BUT if for whatever reasons you forget to put it back on your wrist.. No tracking (ok, I concede, a little less brain some mornings ;-p)
And last but not least, this isn't the only "discussion" about syncing same models, so, no matter why you want this feature to be included, Fitbit should listen to those thousands of voices asking for it. Bottom line, it would increase the sells by a lot... No wonder that Fitbit company is in deep trouble...
How difficult? Well, the current system was not designed with that in mind. The UI and associated code would have to change for the Web Dashboard, and the Fitbit App on Windows, Android, and iOS (I think about 9 different platforms total).
Allow me to frame it another way, though this is an oversimplification... Let's say you move into your new home, with a lovely dining room and table with seating for six and similarly you have place settings for six.
You invite your best friend for dinner (and his spouse). That'll be four of you. Your friend responds and says, "My sister is visiting, may she also come?". You can easily accomodate one more and you plan your dinner party.
Now, let's say that you and your spouse each invite your best friends (and their spouses). That's six of your; you have room for six. Someone similarly responds with "My sister is visiting, may she also come?". You only have seating for six; you only have place settings for six. Your dining room can't accomodate another table. This is significantly more work.
Now if you had originally planned for eight settings, you'd be fine, but you didn't.
The Fitbit settings weren't originally designed for multiple of the same models. Is it impossible? No, of course it's possible, but it's not as trivial as different models, much like that fifth dinner guest is easy to add, but the seventh is not.
As for your Charge HR fragility predicament, you may consider getting a Blaze for a couple of reasons. First, it addresses your 2nd tracker problem (by having two of different models). Second, the bands are replaceable so you can either accessorize with different colors and styles OR you can simply replace the band if it is too worn. The Blaze is more than the Charge HR, but you may come to find that with the replaceable bands, you may only need one tracker and you can sell your existing tracker (they run around $40 on ebay).
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