Versa 4 - can't change shortcuts on double tap shortcut menu

[nite71]

I just upgraded to a Versa 4 from a Versa 3. On the Versa 3, when you went to the double-tap shortcut menu, those shortcuts could be changed to your preference. I am now learning that this is not an option on Versa 4. Hoping someone can prove me wrong but if not, I am very disappointed with FitBit on this. This was supposed to be an upgrade and at every turn I'm finding it wasn't. (I've also read up on the whole app restrictions!)

Get your act together FitBit! Why would you remove options on a next generation item???

[t.parker]

You are correct. It's not possible neither on Versa 4 nor Sense 2.

[Talahthas]

@nite71 Welcome to the Fitbit community!

Fitbit obviously has streamlined the Versa 4 a bit to make it fit better into the Google/Fitbit product portfolio and to make it easier accessible for people who are not that much tech oriented.

You can use the Feature Suggestions forum to make your feature request public:

Feature Suggestions 

[t.parker]

@Talahthasand what about people who owned previous Sense or Versa 3 and got fooled into buying "successors"? This is the most idiotic explanation of the current state of those devices I have read here.

[nite71]

Thanks for your opinion. Not sure how removing this option makes it "fit better" for anything. Anyone that the removal of this feature helped probably shouldn't own a "smart" watch to begin with.

I will use the Feature Suggestions though. Thank you.

[Talahthas]

@nite71 @t.parker Let me elaborate on that. To understand why the Versa 4 has become what it is, you have to have a bit of understanding for business principles.

Since Google has aquired Fitbit the end of 2019 for 2,1 billion Dollars, Fitbit is a part of Google. Having been a Fitbit user since 2014, I instantly had great fear that Google just would assimilate Fitbit's technologies and user data base and let Fitbit as a brand die. As Fitbit now could Google give something for the market of fitness wearables to compete with Apple in this section, the time for Google's first own smart watch had finally come. Among all those wearables from different brands I have used beside my Fitbit devices, there were some smart watches running Wear OS, namely a TicWatch and a Fossil Carlyle. And I can tell you, Google Fit wasn't something you would like to talk about.

Now however the Google/Fitbit product line of wearables has something to offer for everyone: If you want a full featured smart watch with lots of Fitbit experience, you should get the Pixel Watch. If you want even more Fitbit experience but need less of a smart watch, get the Versa 4 or the Sense 2.

If Versa 4 and Sense 2 would have the same scope of functions as their predecessors, they would cannibalize sales of the Pixel watch, which sooner or later could most probably have meant the end of Fitbit.

What's more, Fitbit still is selling the Versa 3 and offers a 45 days return policy. So the buyer has every possible choice without any risk.
I personally like the Versa 4 as it is even though there are some flaws that have to be fixed. Versa 4 is comparably slim, has great battery life and offers exactly the functions, I'm expecting from a wearable on my wrist. But your mileage will vary.

[t.parker]

@Talahthas yeah, I get my mileage does vary as I owned Sense and this is very first case of wearable I bought for which incremented version number means major functional downgrade. I can't imagine Garmin or Polar doing the same thing. If I got my Fenix 7 and found out I lost in-watch navigation or ANT+ connectivity comparing to my old Fenix 6 Pro I would react the same way. You see, if you paid for my watch then I might consider buying your explanation but unfortunately, I paid with own money. My expectations are already very low (Fitbit is not a sports watch, now it stopped being smartwatch). Those new devices do barely more than my old Charge 2. Why then call them Sense 2 and Versa 4? Should be named differently so users wouldn't get confused. Now, after Christmas there is a wave of users who apparently got confused and you can see that activity in the forum. It is great you like what you got 🙂 I'm happy for you that you even made up some plausible explanation but as long as you don't pay for my devices that doesn't convince me.

[Guy_]

The choice to remove many features for a successor model in order to not take sales away from the Pixel doesn't make any sense.

Firstly, why make that successor and upset the user base, when they find out they paid more for less.

Secondly, Fitbit watches and Pixel aren't even competitors.

The Pixel needs charging once or twice a day while the Fitbits can last 6 days or more and is why many people choose it over the competition.

[nite71]

I had a Versa 3 that went South. Fitbit offered a replacement for free or a discount on any other watch. I chose to "upgrade" to the Versa 4. For Fitbit/Google to think  I should lower my expectations on the newer model is a ridiculous statement. I didn't even look at the Pixel because I liked my Versa 3 and expected the Versa 4 to be the same or better. Why would I pay for a lesser model versus getting the same model for free? You can defend corporate all you want but nothing changes the fact that they have misrepresented the Versa 4 to me and others. BTW, Versa 3 is NOT available for sale on the website.

[Guy_]

@nite71- If you are unhappy with the watch Fitbit have a 45 day refund policy. However it is a bit more complicated when a deal is involved.

Chat with them, they may be willing to upgrade you to a cheaper Versa 3 for free, they are still available in stores too.

[BrentBlueAllen]

If they hadn't branded it as a "successor," and had instead chosen a new product line name, that may have frustrated customers less.

[nite71]

Thanks for the support everyone. Please go to the "Feature Suggestion" I submitted and give me a vote. Fitbit apparently will not even consider your suggestion unless you have enough votes. WTH???

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Customize-double-tap-shortcut-menu-on-Versa-4/id...