Integrate with iOS Health

[so-rich]

Hi there,

I'm really excited about Apple's announcement of the Health App in iOS 8 to be release this fall.  I'm looking forward to seeing a product announcement by Fitbit for a successor to the recalled Fitbit Force, and I'm really hoping to hear some exciting news about Fitbits intigration with Apple's new Health App to be released alongside iOS 8 this fall.  

This is a huge oportunity to make your devices even smarter and more integrated - Please support these APIs!  Thanks!

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity and labels.

[SunsetRunner]

Great! Thank you for the info. I have gone into Health but honestly never understood how it worked. I thought within it I could track the info I was looking for. Now I understand and I'll look at apps that work with it.

Sent from my iPhone

[PKDaba]

@SunsetRunner, as mentioned numerous times in past posts, be aware that Sync Solver does not transfer the complete set of data (i.e. time point data vs aggregate summaries only). From what I understand, heart rate data does not get transferred either. This is likely due to a limitation set by Fitbit as it controls its data to third party developers like Sync Solver. There are other points to consider as well:

1. Manual syncs are highly inconvenient and a waste of time for syncing an incomplete set of data.
2. Forcing iOS users to pay extra (however a small amount it is) for a feature that Fitbit could and should have implemented in the first place is highly disrespectful to the iOS userbase. BTW, Fitbit did implement this feature for its Android and Microsoft userbase.
3. Sync Solver servers are in China and have been prone to hacking in the past. Your data does get routed to these servers during the sync process.

[SunsetRunner]

Oh I'm not arguing that it's garbage, just saying theres a way to move some
of the data. The whole reason why I created this post was due to the lack
of Health Kit integration. It's absurd, and FitBit will lose a lot of
customers to the apple watch if they do not integrate. And not just one
way, both ways. I have a withings scale, I love it. I want that healthkit
data to feed into the fitbit app, but they have locked that out because
they want you to buy their scale. This type of thinking in the tech world
is broken and will be their end. Just as blockbuster fell when it refused
to go the streaming route.

[steffieagle]

The Withings Scale integrates with Fitbit. It is automatic.

[SunsetRunner]

Nothing wrong with keeping their Eco system. But never lock the data down. Allow it go to trusted parties like apple if the user chooses too. It's about promoting health and by integrating it with Health Kit, other apps can seamlessly interact with that data through apples secure approach. Locking down data feels like a meta sell off to third parties trick. Either way, I agree. Just blown away that I posted this thread not that long ago and it's not the first of its kind either on the forums and how much traction the topic gets. Wake up Fitbit. This is your chance to keep moving forward. Holding your users back will result in you losing your market share. 

[Rich_Laue]

@SunsetRunner its not a case of locking down data, Fitbit has an open API,  just like Apples open API   Anybody or app that wants to, including Apple Health, may access your Fitbit data. This is the same with Apple where anybody or app may access the your data on Apple health. It is a two way street, amd currently it looks as if neither Fitbit or Apple have stepped up to the plate.  I say looks like, because we do not really know if Apple or Fitbit has started, or is working on makeing this marrage a reality. Something i have no desire or concern about, but that is a different subject.

For others that say Apple opened tueir data up to Fitbit, I respond with Fitit, years before Apple health, gave Apple access to your Fitbit data.

As for me, i have a Google Sheet macro that after the first fitbit sync of the day, retrieves yesterday's data, this was all setup without any special permissions needed from Fitbit. 

[PKDaba]

@Rich_Laue, we can speculate all we want about reasons why Fitbit and Apple aren't playing along and also about technical details on which API is more accessible. The bottom line is that many other companies like Garmin, Withings, Jawbone, to name a few, do integrate seamlessly with Apple's HealthKit. It's up to each company to implement the available API into their apps. In other words it's up to Fitbit to implement this feature into its app and not Apple as you seem to suggest.

Third party apps like Sync Solver are available at extra cost that makes use of Fitbit's API that allows users to sync data into Apple's HealthKit (much like your Google Sheet Macro). It's apparent that it does not have access to all of Fitbit's data. So it's not as open as you'd like to believe. Sure, API's are available to all. But the more important question is how much access to the data does each API allow?

It's awesome that you can write your own Google Sheet macro to sync your data. But, I doubt that the regular user focusing on their fitness will have the know how or time to do this. Even if you did share your macro with us (maybe you should), it would be a huge inconvenience for most users to have to consciously and manually sync their data every day. Makes me wonder how many people paid for Sync Solver and continue to use it every day. And do keep in mind that these folks paid money for only a patch solution that does not transfer all the data. If Apple's API allows access to most if not all of its HealthKit data, does Fitbit's API offer the same kind of accessibility? Are you able to access all of your heart rate data, step data on a time point basis? I'm curious as to how successful your macro is at accessing ALL of your FItbit's fitness data.

I also noticed that you're an Android user (at least you posted from a Samsung). Is this sync something you're forced to do because your android Fitbit app doesn't sync to your Android device and vice versa? Also, do you have a full understanding of Apple's HealthKit (and associated ResearchKit, CareKit)? Looking forward to your response.

[drtaxsacto]

Or to drop using FITBIT - I chose the latter after waiting for two years for FITBIT to listen to consumers.

Sent from my iPad Air

[Rich_Laue]

Actually i didnot write the macro, i copy and pasted it from the open source comunity, it is on Github.

Ive noticed this request is under consideration,  to me this means tyat it is in the state someplace between thinking about it and implementing it soon.

Is fitbit looking into, looking at the best way to implement,  what data should be sent, or retrieved from apple. Is it in the test and troubleshooting phase? Is tyere anybody that is testing it in a daily basis. We really don't know what state is in and Fitbit is known to be quiet on what is to come.

[humanista]

@Rich_Laue Just speculation on my part, but Fitbit must have VERY POOR programmers and software engineers if it takes them two years to implement an API integration with Healthkit that many other apps have done pretty quickly once HealthKit was realeased. I personally use Jawbone, Withings, MyFitnessPal, GyroScope, Lark, Addapp, TactioHealth, etc. and they all sync wih HealthKit. I have been involved in API integrations and I have yet two see one that takes over a few weeks to implement. If it takes Fitbit 2 years to implement, perhaps they need to either hire away more engineers from Jawbone or tap some other app companies since Jawbone is currently suing them for stealing trade secrets.

[Rich_Laue]

Aviator we don't even know if it is being worked on, the last we definately know is that it is under consideration.

[iwatts]

And the debate keeps rolling. Bottom line is Fitbit have had this under consideration for over two years. Apples API is fully open. If Fitbit want to connect to Apple Healthkit they can. Fitbit can't use the excuse that they F to see the point in connecting to s third party system like HealthKit because they connect to Microsoft Health Vault.
Apple cannot force Fitbit to allow connection to HealthKit. It is up to apps to decide wether to connect to Healthkit.
This thread will still be here in a years time because Fitbit have no intention of ever connecting to HealthKit. If they did it would be done already.
This thread is purely designed to give hope to new Fitbit users, where as they all ought to return their fitbits and buy something else. Get out while you can.

[PKDaba]

@Rich_Laue, the status of this thread clearly reads as ‘Under Consideration’. We all know that. It’s been so for the last 2 years with not one single response from Fitbit. There’s nothing new or useful in your posts that changes that fact except for speculations that unicorns may exist or elephants may fly. Fitbit needs to be honest with its iOS customer base and stop leading them on with this thread.

I'm still interested in hearing your answers to my previous questions:

1. Does the Google Sheet macro (which you have not written) transfer ALL the data (i.e. heart rate, steps on a time point basis) from Fitbit to Apple's HealthKit? This might be remotely useful to iOS users if your answer is yes.
2. Seeing that you're an Android user, why would you need to use such a macro in the first place? Does Fitbit not sync its data with your Samsung device?

[Rich_Laue]

The current API gives access to the Heart Rate, i dont care about yjis so im not pulling HR data. As stated this is a macro in a google sheet, therefore it has nothing to do with apple health. This is google.
As for syncing, no fitbit is ever synced to a device or computer, all syncing is done through a phone ir computer and synced to a fitbit acvount. Then the data is retrieved from the account on fitbit to be displayed by the app.
But i could easily ask you the same thing, doesnt your app have access to your data, why do you need it on Apple health, but then S-Health by Samsung doesnt want to play with Fitbit either.
As for the google sheet, i started it when i was wearing the Fitbit One, and Charge, later the Charge HR and Surge was added Then Having all four accounts dropped into sheets it made it easier to compare data. Now it is still fun, and easier to get any graph that i want.
Yes Fitbit allows any third party access to a users Heart rate

[schrepfler]

Fitbit, don't be lame or you'll be out of business. Suck it up and bite the bullet. Remember that without self reflection even the leaders of Intel would have been out of a job. It's critical to reevaluate your decisions.

[Rich_Laue]

I could say the same about Apple Health, i would think that they would want to connect to the number one selling fitness tracker. Which by the way also has the Blaze that happened to out sell the AW for the first couple months after its release. I haven't looked at recent data.

[drtaxsacto]

The Health kit is an open platform - all FITBIT would need to do is to use they APIs - which they have refused to do. The Apple Watch sold about 12 million units the first year.

Sent from my iPad Air

[HopefulRunner]

@Rich_Laue and Fitbit Moderators and decision makers.

Here is why I want my activity data in HealthKit.

I have diabetes, my treatment plan is to record what I eat, test my blood sugar (10 times a day), exercise and medication.

One Drop, an iOS app is one of the first apps to use CareKit. It collects data from HealtKit. I can easily see on a CareCard, if I'm hitting my targets.

I use Cron-O-Meter to track my food (not perfect for my needs, but better than MFP). One Touch Reveal is an app from glucose meter. I gave up Fitbit a while ago and now have Jawbone Move UP and a iHealth Wave.

Jawbone reads and writes steps and sleep to HealthKit. There is 3rd party app to sync some data that jawbone tracks, but does not currently sync to HealthKit (Jawbone Sync). I love that Jawbone reads from HealthKit, makes it easy to still use their app when I wear my Wave instead of my Move.

iHealth makes fitness trackers, blood glucose meters, body composition scales, blood pressure devices, and a pulse oximeter. Their apps sync everything to HealthKit (sadly, they do not read data from HealthKit).

I track heart rate with Scoche Rhythem (been using them for at least 6 years). It doesn't even need an app to sync to HealthKit. The Bluetooth device shows up as a source in same section of HealthKit as iPhones and Apple Watches.

But all this data from multiple sources seamlessly shows up on my CareCard in One Drop. I track diabetes medications in One Drop.

All this data, from all these sources, in one place, so that I can lead a healthy life.

Here is the proof it works, I'm my hA1c is 6.1.

My first Fitbit was the original preordered from Fitbit when they were just starting out. Then I got an One a few years later. I would never have tried other trackers if it was not for Fitbit's reluctance to integrate. Because of Fitbit's deceptive treatment of it loyal customers, I will not be coming back.

It didn't have to be this way, Fitbit made a choice, and in response so did I.

I still post, even after I stopped using Fitbit in 2014, to help other people who want to achieve their health goals.

[drtaxsacto]

Well said, I cannot understand why Fitbit is so obdurate.

[Rich_Laue]

@HopefulRunner I was just plying devels advocate, i can see an advantage to having the two accounts connected. I thought my sarcasm wpuld come through.

@drtaxsacto in the same fashion Fitbit has open API, all APPLE would need to do is connect up, but they refuse to. I did some research, Apple is being asked by their users to connect.
BTW The Blaze has also been selling at the rate of a million a month

[HopefulRunner]

HealthKit is a framework, like all the other frameworks Fitbit uses in Swift (or are they using C) to write an iOS app.

It is like they decided to use a box of crayons, but refuse to use any colors that the slightest amount of red in it. So the app we get is like picture drawn with no reds, pinks, or purples.

I don't think that is a wise choice.

Apple does not write apps to access other companies hardware. It lets other companies write software to work with their hardware.

Apple doesn't have to approve Fitbit's app. I don't think apple should, because saying they are iOS compatible (but not being upfront on their packaging about not supporting HealthKit) on their packaging is dishonest.

How many people have posted that got a Fitbit assuming it would work with HealthKit?

[Rich_Laue]

And in general that is exactly what Fitbit does, they are a framework allowing and encouraging others to interface with them, not try and write interfaces to sync with others. It looks like a stalemate,
Www.fitbit.com/apps thos list is not complete. 

[HopefulRunner]

i can't see Apple using anyone else's API. Fitbit has two API sets, one that gives intra-day and that gives daily summaries. Anyone can use the summary one. Fitbit controls who can use the intra-day. They will not give Sync Solver access to the intra-day API. Would they give Apple access to it?

Apple does not use 3rd party API to connect to any 3rd party hardware. Apple's business is better when there are lots of 3rd party choices out there, to give Fitbit access that it has not given to other 3rd parties would be disruptive and not in Apple's best interest.

[HopefulRunner]

Back in the beginning Fitbit didn't work with any phone directly, you needed. A computer and a dongle.

None of us are going change the phone we use to use a tracker. We will change to a tracker that works with our phone.

That is fact of life. Fitbit needs to realise that and give their customers what they want. Or watch us leave.

[SunsetRunner]

@Rich_Laue

I understand that you are trying to play devil's advocate here, but it seems like you have a fundamental misunderstanding about the difference between the two APIs available from Apple and Fitbit.

First off, Apple has one API for health data, whereas Fitbit has two. As Apple has only one API, everyone can access it's full capabilities equally. Fitbit has two APIs. Why? Because they want to control who gets to be in the club for 'full' access, and who gets watered down data with no granuality. Primarily this means that end users get no granuality, just as all the companies that try to bridge the gap between Fitbit and Apple Health get no granuality. This is also why heart rate data isn't available.

Apple presents their API for everyone to use, to make an even playing field and to promote compatibility between all applications, for the sake of users. This gives users more choice and control. Any other app can access all of the information in Apple Health to present any way they want. Apple does not chase developers to interface with theri API, and the Health app is a repository for data, not something that people open to start connecting to other apps.

As a third-party developer, Fitbit has the responsibility to interface with Apple's API, not the other way around. By Fitbit using two APIs, we already know that they do not want to promote freedom, choice, or control for users. They want to control the data they have collected from millions of users, and make sure anyone else who wants to use that data is on the same team. This is also why Apple can't simple "connect up" to Fitbit, as Fitbit simply wouldn't allow it. That's the exact same reason why no other third-party has been able to make a sufficient sync tool yet.

If you read through old comments you will see that this discussion has been had before. No amount of devil's advocate will change reality. The lack of compatibility and complete inability for users to get their own data is a decison that Fitbit has made, and the onus to correct that lies completely with Fitbit. It is evident that the more closed platform here is Fitbit. It is also evident that the larger platform, with more alternative options for health data providers, is Apple. To continue to suggest otherwise only demonstrates a deep misunderstanding of the APIs, the platforms, and where resonsibilities lie.

If integration and control of your own data isn't something that you want, then this thread isn't for you.