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.

[Splathowa]

For the people that are saying fitbit will become irrelevant - isn't it already? The iphone 6, 6+ models already step track. Weight from scales you can link through MFP back to health kit. The only thing it doesn't do is sleep cycle.

[CameronSmiff]

Fitbit, you are gaining bad publicity now, and you deserve every thing you get: http://9to5mac.com/2014/10/08/fitbit-says-it-has-no-current-plans-for-ios-8-health-app-integration/

[Harkybaby]

Fitbit really needs to integrate healthkit at the risk of becoming irrelevant. I'm already using MyFitness Pal for most things now, followed by Map My Ride for my cycling, all I'm lacking is my sleep tracker. I think once I've got my Apple Watch my Fitbit will be done with. Shame, it was good while it lasted.

[Havenocents]

This thread is going to get a little bigger.  9to5Mac just reported fitbit is not going to integrate at this time.  In the technology world there is nothing worse than getting Apple users mad.

http://9to5mac.com/2014/10/08/fitbit-says-it-has-no-current-plans-for-ios-8-health-app-integration/?...

[odsail]

It was shocking to learn today that there are no plans to integrate with iOS 8 HealthKit.  I too am disappointed with this announcement.  I have loved my fitbit and have been anticipating the integration.    

I plan to look for another device, today, and put my current fitbit in the dresser drawer.

Extremely disappointed!!!

😞

[odditie]

@Havenocents 

I submitted this thread to them and a few other blogs to hopefully get the word out. Very happy to see they posted it!

[CameronSmiff]

@odditie Thanks!!

[Havenocents]

Good job odditie !!

[odditie]

iMore now also has it posted. I submitted it to Mac Rumors as well. Feel free to give any other apple blogs the tip on this to hopefully get the issue more visibility!

[dtay2827]

"“We are thrilled by the announcement of HealthKit’s availability. Withings has been a pioneer of the shared API approach in connected health because we think that’s what our users want." - Withings CEO

They have it right.  We do want shared and open APIs.  You can't control our data.  Focus on selling hardware.  If you try to lock down our data you're going to have a bad time. 

http://9to5mac.com/2014/06/04/runkeeper-withings-strava-ihealth-plan-healthkit-integration-excited-f...

[heylookatlane]

This would be a huge boon to me. My FitBit Flex is an important part of my overall tracking ecosystem, and passing Flex info into the Health app will combine it with other data that FitBit does not track for a single, combined repository of information. I just purchased a Flex this week under the mistaken impression that a company like this would already have worked out HealthKit integration, and was very disappointed to see the statement that you don't intend to do so.

[desq42]

What?! All of your competitors are ahead of you. 

Guess it's time to go buy another tracker.

[heylookatlane]

"Your voices are being heard. We're actively reviewing your responses and providing feedback to our product development team."

I see little reason to believe that this is true. This statement is from June. But I hope I'm wrong and I hope the new surge of comments will convince you to make good on what should be a no-brainer feature of your devices. Surely you don't view this as a software competition? The only sense I can make out of this is that FitBit thinks it's going to sell more Premium memberships without HealthKit integration. Good luck fighting a losing batle against the richest company in the world.

[ronyedin]

Ridiculous. I purchased a Fitbit Force last year with the promise of call/text notification. They never released an update. Now this? No longer trusting or purchasing products from them again.

[coreymcl]

As I try to understand why Fitbit would have come to this decesion, I can't help but wonder the following.

We know Apple has placed severe resistrictions on what companies like Fitbit can do with the health data that is shared using the Healthkit framework. So I can only guess that based on Apple's resistrictions and the fact Fitbit is unwilling to "free our health data" must mean this integration is a threat to Fitbit's business model. Speaking for myself, the thought of Fitbit selling any part of "my" health data is just as concerning as their closed minded approach to "freeing our health data". 

Futhermore, this shows me that Fitbit's leadership is not forward thinking and instead of focusing on creating great products we all adopt because they are the best solutions for helping us achive our health goals. Would rather lock customers into a eco-system as a way to keep their customers from choosing a superior solution.

Finally, like others on this thread I believe Fitbit's leadership is playing with fire. These decesions have me wondering if I have misplaced my trust in them and this company. I will speak with my wallet and until proves they are trustworthy again they will not see another dime from me or my family.    

[AriaIsRealName]

Really,

Seriously,  

Dear fitbit, You don't think your gonna get a bit of a fit from your users?  Or are you just donig this to creat a bit of buz and get your brand front and center.  

Comon, stop missing about.

[Vertig0gitreV]

I'm sorry... But why on earth would you so aggressively alienate such a large customer group?! It makes no logical business sense. Please reconsider and add HealthKit support ASAP or, as with many others posting in just this thread (and many others as well), you will be losing another customer.

[Bluejay]

Between the Force recall, promised features that have materialized, and now this; I wonder how long fitbit will be around. I might eBay my One while I still can.

[SunsetRunner]

I'm not trying to be one of those "Well then, I will never buy your product again!" people but... "Well then, I will never buy your product again!"

Sorry guys, but aggregating data like this is important to me so if I have to choose between my phone and a single-task device then the phone wins. 

[SunsetRunner]

Welp that made my next purchase simple. After owning a Fitbit Ultra, One, and Flex (currently), the next device I purchase WILL support HealthKit. Would also have been great if my Aria scale could update my weight in the Health app, but that's probably too much to ask for.

[coreymcl]

Maybe it's time we apply some pressure on Fitbit by sending the following tweet. What type of impact will it have on their business if Apple pulls their products off the shelve

@tim_cook Why does Apple sell products in your stores that refuse to integrate with #healthkit? @parkjames @fitbit #freemyhealthdata

[discult]

Very disappointing FitBit, please add HealthKit asap.

[nathanb123]

Healthkit really needs to be tied into the entire echosystem.  I currently have a flex, a one and the aria scale.  I plan on dumping all 3 if Healthkit integration isnt added very soon.

[stuartgibson]

Well, that's the end of my relationship with Fitbit then, after wearing one every day for several years, I'll be moving to a company that actually embraces integration with others.

HealthKit is *far* too big a deal to ignore for this stuff.

Even if they have a complete turnaround after seeing this thread, it will be months before they can release an update with HK integration.

Sad, silly mistake.

[jstiner]

I agree with almsot everyone here - why alienate your users?  You are basically telling me that if i want a health tracker that integrates the data into Healthkit, that I have to go buy a new device from a different manufacturer.  Seems like a pretty bad business model, IMO.

I too stuck with the Force through the recall and stuck by your lack of promised future functions (e.g., phone notifications on my Force), but I'm not sure how much longer I can.  

I love my Force, but it may be time to start looking for a replacement...