Get rid of Adobe Flash Player from the website

Please rewite the Dashboard and Log on the web site using non-Flash technology, preferably HTML5.

Flash is too much of a resource hog on desktops and doesn't run on iOS devices.

Thanks.

 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

260 Comments
konaya
Stepping Up
Oh, don't give us that nonsense. Of course changes should be rolled out
slowly, but Flash was just beginning to be considered outdated ten years
ago. Considering that the company Fitbit is about that age … one could
wonder why they even started developing with a tool that even back then
was on the way out.

In any case, they have literally had the entirety of their lifetime to
see the writing on the wall and migrate. There is no excuse.
HBHapa
First Steps
So true!


Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
SunsetRunner
Not applicable

I can see three or four graphs requesting flash. Given other graphs are not requiring flash, I understand Fitbit does have the knowledge how to do this. They just seem to not see the protection of their users as a priority.

 

In these days were hacker attacks are almost normal and big leaks are almost daily on the news I don't understand why.

 

The public (!!!) profile of user requires flash. So when I send this around, I basically ask all my friends and fellow runners to enable flash.

 

I don't understand why Fitbit is not asking a single developer to fix this within five days, because it can't take more than that. They roll out releases daily, maybe even multiple.

 

Having an issue like this open for four years despite it takes so little to fix is pretty much a shame and gives me the feeling Fitbit is not concerned about giving me a safe browsing experience. Some people might be annoyed so much so they go away, and I understand. Fitbit is not only hardware, is also the the mobile apps and the browser apps.

Zeise
Jogger

@Rich_Laue Flash doesn't work on ANY Apple products. Fitbit doesn't play well with Apple products. The Apple Watch works with ALL Apple products. This was a no-brainer...plus I came into some money (Sold one of my websites for a good deal, so, yeah, I know a whole lot about web development.), and so could afford an Apple Watch, among other things, and saving a lot. Also, got tired of almost washing the FitBit so often. Should I happen to get the Watch in water, I can squirt out the water. Did I mention I can track my exercise when I swim with the Watch, but not the FitBit. (Try paying for your groceries with a Fitbit.)

ajc3
First Steps

Yes. Get rid of Flash and adopt modern standards. I want to see charts on my iOS devices. 

Status changed to: Under Consideration
LizFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

 

Hi everyone, a quick update that Flash remains on a few logging pages and profile page still but this continues to be gradually reducing Flash on the site and as elements of the dashboard are redesigned, there will be less and less as time goes on. Thanks for your comments.

chaph
Recovery Runner

Flash is a security risk and it eats computer resources like mad. Common recommendation these days is to disable it in your browser. There is at least one page I've encountered that requires Flash. Please consider adding HTML5.

GrumpyCyclist
Runner

Well here we are, about to say goodbye to 2018 and Flash is still required on some Dashboard Profile pages. It's not even installed as a sandboxed runtime within Google Chrome anymore, that's how outdated Flash is. Come on Fitbit, the world is moving on.Screenshot 2018-12-29 at 17.01.32.png

HBHapa
First Steps
So true!
Rich_Laue
Community Legend

I notice monthly that less pages require Flash.

SunsetRunner
Not applicable
This first came up FIVE years ago.

Don’t you think more should have been done in that time?
--
Larry Finch
dmitri8
Recovery Runner

I'm done with Fitbit.  Bought 'KINBOM Fitness Tracker' on Amazon for $25 and it's been awesome.  No more BS!

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

Fitbit is putting users on risk with asking to enable flash.

 

It's awkward and disrespectful to paying customers. 

 

It should have been possible to rework the charts (or just remove them) within only a few days work. 5 years is definitely more than enough.

 

This is not a feature. This should not even be a discussion. It's a joke we have to talk about that.

 

I do not upgrade my device until this has been fixed. Most likely I use some other device soon. The other bugs which are constantly introduced annoy me too.

Rich_Laue
Community Legend

@SunsetRunner can you post a link to the pages on Fitbit that still use Flash. I'm having problems finding any page that does not work on my Android phone.

dmitri8
Recovery Runner

@Rich_Laue, how about... oh I dunno... the main page or your profile? 🙂

Go to the 'Dashboard' and click your profile icon at the top-right.

 

 

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

@Rich_Laue this one has 3 Flash embeds: https://www.fitbit.com/user/6K8WHT (my profile, yours should have them too)

This one has 1: https://www.fitbit.com/foods/log

There might be more, but I don't want to look further.

Rich_Laue
Community Legend

That's why I haven't noticed them, neither one would be useful. I have no desire to log food and starts are easier to see at https://www.fitbit.com/activities

I have noticed over time more and more pages have had their flash removed.

Yes I agree this could all be done in a few days, however not knowing what all is behind the web portal and setting to many times a fix had broken something else, I do understand why they would want to be cautious and go slower. 

The changes have not been going on for the four years of this request setting that it was well over a year before their was any sign of flash being removed.  At best it has only been a little more than 2 years since they started.

Rich_Laue
Community Legend

That's why I haven't noticed them, neither one would be useful. I have no desire to log food and starts are easier to see at https://www.fitbit.com/activities

I have noticed over time more and more pages have had their flash removed.

Yes I agree this could all be done in a few days, however not knowing what all is behind the web portal and setting to many times a fix had broken something else, I do understand why they would want to be cautious and go slower. 

The changes have not been going on for the four years of this request setting that it was well over a year before their was any sign of flash being removed.  At best it has only been a little more than 2 years since they started removing Flash.

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

@Rich_Laue I am a developer myself and since I see Fitbit introducing bugs with every release (and reverting them within a few days) I don't see they have a concern about quality.  They for sure had plenty of time to react "quickly". Let's say it takes them 6 months to disable Flash.

 

This happened 9 years ago (from Wikipedia):

 

"Apple restricted the use of Flash on iOS in 2010 due to concerns that it performed poorly on its mobile devices, had negative impact on battery life, and was deemed unnecessary for online content. As a result, it was not adopted by Apple for its smartphone and tablet devices..."

 

And in 2020 Flash is EOL. Well, they could sit this out, they have like 258 days left... 

 

I have absolutely not tolerance towards such irresponsible behavior. Flash not being safe but opening up security issues has been know far longer than 2010. Fitbit should not react on user starting to put pressure on this, they should do without telling them.

dmitri8
Recovery Runner
@Rich_Laue wrote:

...neither one would be useful. I have no desire to log food...


 I never log anything either, and there are other ways to do that, e.g. I think via the mobile app?

 

However, the Profile page offers functionality not available anywhere else -- to be able to see your friends' steps/progress in those charts/on their profile pages (by clicking a friend's name).

 

The social aspect of it is what has kept many people I know (myself included) from moving away from Fitbit over the years, and this is an easily-fixable part of it that they have consistently ignored.

Looks like instead they've focused on cranking out a new variation of a tracker, with its own/yet another proprietary charger/connector, every few months.  I guess that makes more money in the short term, but it will eventually drive more and more customers, current and potential, to the greener pastures.

Sheathfield
Recovery Runner

I have now been waiting years for this improvement and am now looking around to see if any other device is comparable without the use of flash. If flash is still used in significant spots such as calorie intake when I need to upgrade, it will not be a Fitbit.

KevinKy
Recovery Runner

So, five an a half years since this suggestion and no response at all from Fitbit.  Its clear they don't listen to their customers.

Rich_Laue
Community Legend

@KevinKy I'm assuming that you haven't noticed the many pages that have already had their flash removed. 

Soon Fitbit will have no choice but to remove flash from the rest of the pages. 

Andi_G
Jogger

Flash is insecure and is being retired.

Please make a version of the 30 day Calorie Intake chart on the Dashboard that does not require Flash. 

Fitbit's other charts don't require Flash so it is not obvious why this one needs Flash.

Thanks for listening!

YojanaFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @Andi_G, thanks for explaining why you would like to have this option. I've moved it into a similar suggestion which has been updated as "Under Consideration". You can learn more about here. Keep adding your suggestions!

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