The missing features make sense now.

[datalore]

It all makes sense now. The missing features are very deliberate. 

https://chromeunboxed.com/pixel-watch-retail-box-leak-fitbit-logo/

[ali_baba7]

From the linked article:  

If the markings onthe retail box that just leaked over on Redditare any indication, I’d wager the Fitbit integration will be more than just surface-level with the Pixel Watch. While I don’t expect this to feel like a Fitbit watch (think Versa or Sense),it seems Google is all-in on the idea that the Pixel Watch will also be a great Fitbit experience, with the Fitbit integration front and center on the retail packaging. 

They don't have their hands on the watch yet. They're speculating based on the packaging. I'm holding out hope they're wrong because I'd like to see some of the missing features restored to the Versa 4/Sense 2 and not be bullied into buying a Pixel watch. We'll just have to wait until the Google event to see how badly Google has screwed Fitbit users. 

[JohnnyRow]

Maybe just a bit of an overstatement to say one guy's speculation from seeing the box of the coming pixel watch answers every question you have about Sense 2 and Versa 4 missing apps.

[datalore]

Maybe. They definetely see them as products in competition and if you think about it they want to push people to their flagship smartwatch. It actually makes sense to me as a business decision. I think it's a bad one, but I do understand why they think it's a good one. I mean most electronic devices don't take away features when they upgrade, so yes, I'm speculating that protecting the pixel watch is the reason; because frankly it's the only reason that makes sense to me. 

[CraigHansen]

Well, the Sense 2 has the same charging arrangement as the Sense 1, so we could expect the same charging failures in a few months. Perhaps they're doing us the favor of squeezing out features of their lemon.

[N8teGee]

This is pretty old news to be honest. Google made it clear months ago during the first reveal of the Pixel watch that it would have Fitbit integration. So I'm not surprised they printed such on the box. 

[datalore]

Yeah, I knew they’d do some integration, but it’s looking like the pixel is going to be a full on Sense with Wear OS. I wasn’t expecting that, and I could be wrong, but it does clear a few things up I think. 

[Dopovo]

Not sure what you're saying here @datalore 

[t.parker]

I think more important news for the users is this:

"Fitbit users will be forced to migrate to Google accounts by 2025"

https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/26/23372438/fitbit-changes-update-google-account-new-2025

For those, who won't migrate the Fitbit experience may be limited. It's not specified how.

[datalore]

I'm saying google is making a business choice here and that's why the Versa/Sense have been disabled. I actually understand their reasoning, but I think it's wrong. They are locked in a battle with Apple and it's not going all that well. They think(wrongly in my opinion)that with the battery life and fitness features the Versa/Sense could impact sales of the pixel watch, so they've hobbled the fitbit products to make the pixel seem more alluring. It sucks for us as fitbit users, but it's just a boneheaded business decision. I can't think of any device in the history of technology that has taken away features from a previous model, but maybe I'm wrong. I know someone will mention the floppy disk, but that was more a push to advance technology. I'm just stating the obvious because we all know why google is hobbling the fitbit watches. I mean, there is no other explanation that even makes sense other than protecting the pixel. 

[Dwuuds]

Google hasn’t always made good business decisions, but this seems idiotic, even by their standards.

Why would Google sabotage the Fitbit brand, in order to get people to buy a Google product that promotes the Fitbit brand???

You'd have to be the worst business man on the planet to come up with that idea. Normally a company would simply fold a premium product/brand (Sense 2) into another premium product/brand (Pixel Watch) by adding just enough "newness" to get consumers excited before launch. I just can’t see how actively gimping a newly released flagship product would help to create any excitement amongst consumers, especially when you consider that it would be so much easier to simply copy/paste the Fitbit features, change a few icons, call it Google Fit, and just launch the Pixel Watch as a completely new first party flagship device.

Google has made some really stupid choices in the past, but this would be beyond idiotic.

[Solexa]

I donno, I don't really believe in dumbing down it for the pixel. As far as I know Fitbit sells more as they are world wide. In my country ( Netherlands) we don't even have the pixel phones ( I get them through other ways) here so even if the pixel watch is getting released nobody knows the pixel brand.

To me it looks like they are really trying to make the fitbit health, sports only and not all the gizmos smartwatches have so battery will long laster and maybe make the cost less. About Fitbit being quiet on their forums, it's always been like that they answer only the simplest question and atm the sense 2 forum is a big complain wall about the missing features. 

[N8teGee]

You also have to remember that most Fitbit users choose them for the decent battery life, with a lot who have returned from Apple stating that was the biggest reason they came back. In this case I can't see many Fitbit users fleeing to the Pixel watch, in fact I think most would go elsewhere altogether. 

[LissaxKristine]

I can see them trying to make Fitbit more fitness-focused. However, it's not at much of a cost savings. Without an app store, there's little difference between the Versa 4 and the Inspire 3. The Versa 4 and Sense 2 have minimal Smartwatch features and shouldn't really be called a "smartwatch." And yet, you're paying 2.5-3x the cost of the Inspire. 

[Rich_Laue]

Page 26 of your user manual mentions an App store, and how to add and remove apps. 

I read that Google Assistant will not be available at the time of release, I would expect, but not holding my breath, for this feature to be added. 

Since the Versa 2 has a microphone I look at it as a step backwards with not being able to talk through the Sense 2. 

Then again, Fitbit has a record of adding requested features, only to take them away with the next release. 

[Dopovo]

@Rich_Laue 

This is exactly the problem, you read "this", he reads 'that", this information is found "here" but on this page it's written "that" and so on... 

The newest flagships by Fitbit have been announced weeks ago, with contractiding information in Fitbit pages, all websistes who posted earlier "reviews", better call them "opinions", wrote their articles based on those information above or, even worse, from the very same discussions on this forum.

Users, aka potential clients, have been asking, even begging, Fitbit to clarify informations since the beginning and had to dig out by themselves features missing that were then confirmed to be missing (Google Assistant, lack of 4rd parties apps, luck of any music function, lack of swimming tracking and so on).

As today, 5 days following the official start of sale, no websites posted a review, likely because Fitbit didn't send them any device in advance.

Let's compare what Fitbit did with Apple with its Apple Watch 8 or Ultra or even a much smaller company like Stryd (as mentioned somewhere by @t.parker ) that, not only make excellent videos and informative materials accompaning the pre-orders but even hold live sessions answering the comments of the users.

This is what I called transparency and honesty, both qualities that Fitbit is honestly lacking since long time.