Maintain Fitbit web dashboard going forward

[KBenjamin]

As an older user, my eyesight and hand eye coordination are poor. So, I prefer the website dashboard on my PC. That dashboard keeps directing us to the mobile app. Please assure you will continue maintaining both as I cannot rely solely on the mobile app. Please consider all of your customers when providing tools. Many thanks!

[mnc23]

I don't think it would necessarily have to be the existing dashboard that would remain, but accessing the data via computer instead of tiny device is necessary for many users.  It seems Google is doing this to streamline the codebase into one platform?  Can google wrap a website around the app and use the same code?  On a feedback post, mairlewis posted the great rationale for why something needs to stay for visually impaired folks who bought fitbits relying on the existing accessibility pathways:

The phone only app does not work for visually impaired people. The web app must be retained to provide full accessibility.

 This is Googles policy on accessibility:

"When we say we want to build for everyone – we mean it. Accessibility is written into our mission statement and core to our values as a company. We don’t think a problem is solved until we’ve solved it for everyone. Technology’s great promise is to give everyone the same power to achieve their goals. As long as there are barriers for some, there’s still work to be done."

- Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google

So, please Fitbit, live up to your commitment on accessibility.

[rahjay]

There is no way that I can use Fitbit via the app... It prevents me from using accessibility features that I use daily, as I have a neurological disorder. I feel discriminated against. I've supported the Fitbit brand for 5 years; This is due to end in 3 days if the online dashboard is removed. The app is not accessible, is missing features, and besides, having the desktop app makes a lot of sense besides accessibility, I don't see why I have to pick up my tablet when I'm working at my computer, and then be lacking features, this is a massive step backwards. I urge you to reconsider.

[lmacmil]

Sadly I think the ship has sailed regarding removing the dashboard from the website.  There are probably tens (maybe hundreds) of thousands of Fitbit users and most may not even know about this website.  A few dozen users complaining about this isn't going to change any minds at Google.

[jeffwynnusgs]

Yes! I also have vision and dexterity issues and the phone app is close to WORTHLESS.

PLEASE keep the web-based dashboard. You do NOT want to drive us out of the Fitbit ecosystem.

Do NOT drive us to the iPhone and iWatch crap.

[mama2em]

Losing the dashboard is a dealbreaker for me, too: My vision is fine (so far—I’m sure this will be an issue to me as well in a decade or so 😝), but the removal of the “calories your body will use by midnight” from the app has made the app all but useless to me; I have to go to the Dashboard every day to decipher the calories I’m “allowed” to eat each day in order to plan my meals. 

Also, the app doesn’t allow you to input walking in terms of steps, which is how I measure when my Fitbit dies or I forget to wear it, but the Dashboard DOES allow input in steps. 

[sbdriver]

Add me to the list of users who are unhappy with this decision.   Viewing Fitbit on a phone is hard on older eyes, and trying to type on the touch screen is difficult for those of us with circulation issues.   I love my desktop version.   Please don't take it away.  

[JerseyShore]

It is a big step backwards discontinuing the Windows Dashboard.  It was one of the things that distinguished Fitbit from the other apps.  Much easier to use than working on the small screen of the app.  Will be looking for alternatives.  Why was this done?

[RodFos]

I’ve been a Fitbit user for 8 years,  I’m on my 3rd device (purchase)  

One of the major draws for me staying with Fitbit has been the Website Dashboard UI.  

If that goes then so shall I.  

The app is not user friendly and difficult to use and poor in comparison to the web browser dashboard which I access on a nice full size , easily readable screen.

I DO NOT want to use a phone app with my Fitbit.

I DO want a desktop browser website dashboard.

Bottom line - no Website Dashboard then another customer will be gone, in fact it will be 3 customers as we all use the dashboard for our Fitbits in my household.  

None of us use or want to use the phone app.

Please listen to your customers or lose them. 

[XDahlia]

Yes! I use the web browser dashboard daily since Fitbit nuked the ability to label workouts correctly. I don’t understand why they haven’t fixed this feature yet. 

[AllanSyd]

I like the fact that on the Web Dashboard I can see my day at a glance.  I really hate having to have to scroll down to the various iOS app items to see them in isolation to the other date I was looking at.  I still do not know why there was no email sent out about these changes which appears to be a bit gutless on the part of Google.  Don't forget to rate the FitBit app in whichever App Store you are using so that people know what they are signing up for when they purchase a device.

[Zoostorm]

Yet another dumb decision.

When are the fools that make these decisions going to get it through their obviously dim heads that not everyone wants to use a tiny little screen on a mobile phone, and prefer a proper website page.

[Ajbcfev]

absolutely agreed. there's plainly no visually impaired persons on the dev/marketting team

[Ajbcfev]

absolutely

[dz1234]

Agreed! I use the phone app, but it doesn't have all the functionality of the web-app and begrudgingly I have been using both. By the way, for those of you here, did you read the new terms for commenting? I will post relevant parts below....I wouldn't hold out any hopes of responses from the company.

"....However, neither Fitbit, nor any of its employees, may accept or consider any unsolicited suggestions, including ideas for new or improved products or services, new marketing campaigns or product or service names. Therefore, please do not submit any such unsolicited ideas in any form to Fitbit or any of its employees."

"If, despite our policy, you still submit an idea to us, then regardless of anything contained in your submission you agree that following shall apply: (i) we shall have no obligation to review the submission;..."

[josekreif]

+1

I use the web dashboard, and wish not to see it done away with.

It works, there's no reason to get rid of it unless you're actually just firing the web dev team in the background.

[HydeParkBooks]

I agree with everyone   comments about Google's deciding to remove the dashboard from the browser and how that was a poor and bad decision. They failed to think of people that have limited vision and how it may be harder for them to use the app because of the smaller screens. They failed to consider that not everyone is familiar with using an app.

[Dan_NC]

Fitbit has always been good at "revenue enhancement. Nothing is interchangeable or standard. Each watchband is unique. Each charger (some with multiple moving parts!) is unique. Killing the web site is the next coup in revenue enhancement.

The phone app is "nice" but it is unsuitable for people with limited eye sight like us seniors and for people who like to see all their data at once like people who track their health seriously. Also heath trends are long-term and are not limited to last week's activities or diet.

But profits must prevail. If you kill the web site, you make more profit. Good for you. And it will work until people start replacing their fitbits with health trackers that provide them with the services they want rather than Fitbit's policy of "we decide what you need."

It's been a good "run" but my patience with your company has "run" out.

P.S. Thanks for ALL the warning.

[Kc9yl]

agreed - ease of use and vision issues are my main objections to removing access to the desktop browser version of the dashboard

[Bill_209]

The dashboard is a very valuable tool for people with disabilities to use with their fitness trackers.  That alone should be reason enough to keep the dashboard up and running.

Many Users also have at least 10 years of data and time invested in the dashboard and menu management using the app is reportedly next to impossible to do, so why invest a lot of time and money to improve the app enough to even come close to working as well as the dashboard, when the dashboard is working great, with minimal bugs, already?

[NostalgicNomad]

I am 76 years old and only use a cell phone for talking only. Due to age fingers and eyes do not work well together on something as small as a cell phone.  I love my 27-inch screen for working and viewing.

Before Fitbit, I used a spreadsheet to track calories, food, vitamins, weight, and activity for calories burned. the spreadsheet information was based upon time spent performing the activity like vacuuming, mowing, walking the dog, or even taking a shower. When I purchased my Fitbit watch, I started moving food data from my spreadsheet onto fitbit.com. But since fitbit.com com is going away like the 8 track or VHS tapes, I guess I will have to reactivate my Excel spreadsheet. I am getting too old and tired of this constant change to get me to spend more money.

[PeterJohnny88]

Please bring back the online dashboard for Fitbit! It is not only easier to log weight, food, and water, but also is much easier to view exercises stats in. The online dashboard provides more information than the app, such as showing the most steps you've done in a day and your record miles in a day. I was extremely disappointed when I found out the dashboard was being removed, and I hope Fitbit reconsiders. At the very least, please make the Fitbit dashboard available in the app that can be downloaded to browsers. Thank you. (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE)

[dstormys]

PUT THE DASHBOARD BACK ON MY LAPTOP.. it is NOT EASIER to do it on my phone. You may be saving pennies but will be losing paying customers. I cannot see all my options and look at all I've done in one area on my phone... screen too small. PUT IT BACK

[Senseiande]

Yet another corporation that is forcing people to have and use a phone or nothing. Not everyone has or uses a phone.

For people with poor eyesight, disabilities or simply like laptop interaction here we have another company that doesn't care what you want or need.

I for one hate cell phones... Navigating them with severe hand arthritis and big fingers make it very hard to navigate. But Fitbit doesn't care...

So, time to look for a company that does. I don't say this lightly as I have been using the laptop to track my health and progress for a very long time.

Thanks again Fitbit for not caring about customers that bought your product....

[KBenjamin]

@Senseiande if you find such a company, please let me know. I will follow because I too rely on the laptop website and struggle with the app.

[OF]

Totally agree. This is discrimination against older users and users with disabilities. I work from home and have Fitbit open on my desktop in the background and glance at it from time. I certainly can't see any detail on the watch and i hardly ever use the phone as it is too difficult. Besides continually unlocking and searching through another device to open the app is extremely inconvenient anyway. I recently got my 10year anniversary badge and if we are going to have reduced functionality I will certainly be exploring other options.