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.

[Criag_Parker]

Hi,

I am keen road and trail runner who uses a Nike+ GPS watch for running and a Fitbit for daily steps. Healthkit is a great place to see all my data in one place. We have 4 Fitbits in the family and I was looking at adding an Aria scale and I was very excited about the new Fitbit Surge but thanks your reluctance to embrace Healthkit I will no longer be considering any of these products in my fitness plans. I will only look at products that play nicely together like TomTom Cardio and the iHealth scales.

I am afriad Fitbit's stance is arrogant and shortsighted. All yours excuses fell flat when you intergrated with Microsofts's crapy Health Vault. While you sit back playing by yourself in the corner the rest of the world marches on.... remember BetaMax they also sat back and watched developments....wake up guys.

If I could return my Fitbits for credit I would do so immediatley and buy a more compatible product.

Sadly dissapointed.

[Karell]

Thanks @RickyFitbit … I have absolutely adored Fitbit's products & services since your very early days, which is probably why this stings so much. I've recommended the One to so many people, and we were all so excited to see you guys highlighted at the recent Apple event.

My practical side won't let me throw away a device that still works, but due to health issues I really need to have all my data gathered in one place. However, I won't have my personal data sold as I feel Microsoft & Google would do.

So what's left to do but have a little fun with it? My home is single-story, so I'd love to see how many floors are counted from their antics like this:

C'mon, aren't you even a little curious? 

[Julzy85]

Yes please integrate with the health app on ios8 thanks

[Mikey1234]

@RickyFitbit 

Well perhaps you should read your own policy.

Fitbit may share or sell aggregated, de-identified data that does not identify you with partners and the public in a variety of ways, such as by providing research or reports about health and fitness or in services provided under our Premium membership. When we provide this information, we take legal and technical measures to ensure that the data does not identify you and cannot be associated back to you.

It may not have my name on it, but you're still selling it to interested third parties.  I threw my fitbit away rather than sell it because there will now be one less persons data to sell.

[Bluejay]

@RickyFitbit 

I have been a faithful passionate fitbiter. I ordered my first one in Feb. 2010. I put my first classic on in May of 2010.

I would have still been using a fitbit today if not for the companies choices and the way they are communicating.

I do understand what it is to be on the front line of tech support. I was third level support for a company that did cash management software that multiple banks private labeled. The customer didn't want to hear we didn't know why their traastion data randonly disappeared. As a third every call that dealt with that bug was directed to me. I had to gather info from already upset people and reassure them that we were doing everything we could to figure it out. I built clones of client network enviroments. Ran clones of that data. Every time I had an idea I would go harrass the programmers. I  Eventually they found the line of bad SQL logic. So I know it is hard to be on the recieving end of unhappy customers.

I just don't think your boss's idea of communication is up to my standards. They don't see the lack of integration as a problem that needs to be fixed. It has left us wondering about corporate motives and coming up with theories (conspiracish) about why. Where as if the company did a little more open, transparent communication. I might not be wearing my new not fitit tracker.

[ichicolco]

@RickyFitbit 

 I'm sorry you feel that way. We're still evaluating integration with HealthKit. We haven't decided yet but would like to see it's development. I do have to say, Flex and iPhone look great together! 

LOL.  I love seeing people squirm under the directive to respond to customers, yet not say anything contrary to the company line.  There's no evaluating.  Either you integrate or you don't.  Your programmers certainly have the ability to do so.  It's a simple API.  The fact is Fitbit is losing sales over this.  Over a market that is proven to have money to burn.  We KNOW that by "evaluating", Fitbit truly means "see if we can ignore the obvious and instead go with our own proprietary system."

And Flex and iPhone look great together?   Really?  That's all you have to say?  A fluff message that adds nothing to the thread?  Red and blue look good together.  Milk and cookies loog good together.  Pretzels and beer look good together.

[tendee]

Looks like the new Microsoft Band will support Health Kit. That will be a much better option than anything from Fitbit. health Kit - the data is you...

[mackie35]

I want my Fitbit activity to be synced with Apple health.

[eko425]

I just bought a new Charge assuming it would sync with HealthKit...but I was shocked to find out that now it doesn't??? It's a simple API- this seems shortsighted and selfish. Your own app doesn't track other health vairables like blood pressure, so why are you crippling your products out of the gate? Just because you think you're protecting the product in some way? Also seems very disrespectful to your customers. Looks like I'll be returning it...

[Dstep]

I love my aria scale and was waiting for the new Fitbit tracker to come out. I am second guessing now since I just got my new iPhone 6 yesterday and thought they would sync with the health app... I would prefer the Fitbit instead of an apple watch. Please take advantage of this opportunity and integrate.

[anonnomus]

I think it is very short sighted on your part not to try to integrate with Apple.  You really don't have much choice.  Either you will integrate with them or become insignificant and dry up.  Like it or not, Apple is the elephant in the corner.  The iWatch will be enhanced and replace your device.  Users will say, hey, why do I need Fitbit?  Really, is this what you want.  Get busy!  Integrate now!

[gutsma]

It's been a couple days since I added my disappointment and frustration to this discussion, so here's today rant.

First, a bit of a positive spin.  Thanks to FitBit's obtuse and insulting demeanor toward iPhone users, I have started using iPhone's built in motion sensor increasingly.  Guess what?  I can slip my phone in my pocket or fanny pack or hoodie and it accurately records the steps of my daily exercise.  It's not as convenient as wearing my flex on my wrist, but it works nonetheless.  I can focus on my fitness without the added stress FitBit has been generating.  Thank you Apple!  

Now for the ranting part.  Like many here, I have been a loyal FitBit user since my first clp on. I was very pleased with it and made purchases for other family members.  I ultimately ordered couple flexes and an aria.  Yes, I was that committed to syncing my data and to FitBit.  I was excited to learn of the Tory Burch partnership.  I was planning to buy one for occasions when a silicone band just doesn't cut it as an accessory.  Boy am I happy those were delayed until after this apple debacle!  

FitBit has spat on my loyalty.  Thank you, but I'm not a masochist so it doesn't feel good.  It feels quite rotten.  It feels like I am a pawn in a corporate chess game.  Learning FitBit is possibly / likely selling my data is a further insult.  

I won't be throwing out my FitBit products.  FitBit has already benefitted from the sales.  Throwing them out does nothing.  It doesn't even send much of a message.  The message will be sent and received when people like me who would have purchased one of the new products, refuses to do so.  I'll keep using my products UNTIL I find suitable replacements, which will likely be the apple watch.  Call me anything you wish, but I do like the way apple products work seamlessly.  

I do wonder if this petulant display by fitbit wil impact the sales of their new products.  How many people have you insulted in this move?  How many are irritated (or worse) by the condescending "Under Consideration" this thread wears?  How will fitbit's market share continue to fare with increased competition?  Have the fitbit competitors watched this debacle unfold and learned from it?  

There are many interesting things to observe while HealthKit matures.  

[8a22a]

I'm leaving Fitbit today, farewell.

[Texassusie]

I love my Fitbit but, because it won't integrate with ther Health app, I'm already looking at other devices.

[parisian92110]

Goodbye Fitbit. The features offered by the iPhone perfectly replace that of my Fitbit tracker. And as you want us to pay for access to our data, I am happy with my iPhone and none of your products. My Aria is in the trash and replaced by the one of Withings.

[tdo636pb]

While I do love my FitBit, it seems the quality is not fully there yet.  I've been solely responsible for convincing 8 friends and family members to get a FitBit device.  Unfortunately 4 out of those 8 devices have had some kind of issue over the last year.  Support for them has been great, but because 3 of the 4 were Forces the end result was having to return it and wait until the next generation device was available.  Lack of HealthKit integration is almost like the final straw that is now encouraging me to look into other similar devices (or smart watches).  I've also been waiting for that integration to buy an Aria scale, but that looks like it won't happen now either.  If I knew HealthKit would be supported, I'd probably go preorder the Surge right now.....

[rshim]

Seems like the new Microsoft Band will integrate with iOS HealthKit. So, now there is a comparable band that is cheaper than the upcoming surge and not much more than the upcoming ChargeHR. It does more than the Surge for actual fitness tracking (Galvonic Skin Response sensor is a must for anyone that is seriously tracking. Being able to meter your stress levels and exertion through your skin provides valuable feedback) is cheaper than the surge and properly integrates with the plaforms we use. It's also backed by one of the giants of technology.

The various reason and excuses for not interating have been played to death. It's time for you to decide if you are going to work with your users and their data or work against them and try to own and control our data. It's both sad and telling that a company like Microsoft is being more progressive and open with our data. 

[showbizmanager]

Fitbit, you really do need to integrate with the Health app.  Once the iWatch arrives it will be a must have, but then, actually, my fitbit will be obsolete because the iWatch will do what the fitbit does.  So maybe that's why you're not integrating?  Of course I might put off getting my iWatch if my Fitbit is integrating with their program....

[warrencroberts]

I've been using fitbit for over a yearl and really liked it but if they don't integrate with Apple Health real soon I will switch to another tracker.

  There is a lot of value in having all my health data collected in one database.

[Javitam]

I would love to see Fitbit and apple join forces as well. It would be nice to use BOTH to help track fitness goals.

[SunsetRunner]

Moderators, how much longer must we wait befor the "under consideration" is given an yes or no?

[SunsetRunner]

Lack of HealthKit integration is a dealbreaker for me and means I will replace my Fitbit with another brand. It really saddens me that Fitbit wouldn't let me share my data with other Health apps, the same way I am able to import data from other apps e.g. Withings, Runkeeper, etc. 

Locking in users is never the right way to keep their loyalty. I loved Fitbit first and foremost for the relationship we established through a customer support request I sent, and I hope this is just a temporary mistake that will get fixed.

The best way to be in our pockets in a decade is to keep innovating with services and hardware that improves our health!

[McGosht]

I love my fitbit flex and am already eyeing the Charge HR.  That said, I will not buy a fitbit nor recommend fitbit to others without full apple health support.  I am a big fitbit fan but I'm a BIGGER apple fan.  This forum proves I'm not alone.  Please update the API.

Thanks.

[Starhaven]

My vote for health app integration too. I want all my data in one place, if you don't anmounce soon integration of all data (historical to current) then I'll be shopping for a tracker that does at Chrismas, as will seven (so far!) of my friends. I have been a customer for three years, and would like to stay with you and use my data. However the benefits of using the iOS Health app outweigh splitting my data into multiple sources. I hope you get this sorted out soon and make an announcement before we have to go Christmas shopping for a jawbone Etc.

[duanewilliams]

All my other fitness apps (DigiFit, MyFitnessPal, Heart Rate, Sleep Time) already share their data with HealthKit.  Why is Fitbit dragging their heels?