New Dashboard

[DerrickS]

Fitbit Update 5/25/2017

Thank you for taking the time to share feedback. I can assure you the comments have been and continued to be reviewed and shared with our iOS team.  

As a reminder, I'm including our help article on the Fitbit app here.

Overwhelmingly, recent posts share the sentiment of no longer being able to revert back to the original dashboard and not having the option to choose. At this time there are no plans to revert access to the old Dashboard, but we always appreciate feedback on how to improve our app.

As a reminder, Please remember to keep your posts respectful and on-topic, per our Community Guidelines. This thread will be better for everyone as a constructive conversation.

Fitbit Update 8/17/2016

Beginning with version 2.26 of the Fitbit app for iOS, the new Fitbit app dashboard with an updated look is now fully implemented. You can no longer return to the old design. We're constantly striving to improve Fitbit products and services, and we appreciate all of the feedback we receive from our customers.

You can find information about the new app dashboard and how to start using it by clicking here.

Fitbit Update 5/25/2016

I'm very pleased to announce that iOS users who have updated to version 2.23 of the Fitbit iOS App are now able to opt-in to use a preview of a new design of the Fitbit iOS dashboard!

One of my favorite features for this new dashboard preview is the quick log button in the bottom-center of the iOS App. This feature allows users to quickly: track an exercise, log food, log sleep, log water, send a friend request, scan a food barcode (if you are using the US food database), log their weight, or set an alarm.

 

Users can opt-in to use the new iOS dashboard design by:

1. Updating to version 2.23 of the Fitbit iOS App, click here to be redirected to the iOS App Store.

2. Click the Account button in the bottom right-hand corner.

3. Scroll down and click the Advanced Settings button.

4. Toggle the Preview New Dashboard button at the top of the page on.

Click here for more details and let me know if you have any questions!

Moderator Edit: Edited thread title.

[khfb]

The new IOS dashboard is a **ahem**.  After 2 replies to fitbit about a software defect, they disagree with me.  The new dashboard ALWAYS displays the SAME info for exercise, calories, steps per hour, water, etc (all the tiles below the line or on the bottom as they call it) for the current day only.  The only thing that updates as you scroll between days is the steps, miles, cals, and minutes (info at the top).  You have to click the tile of each to see the progress of the day you actually want.  I tried to argue the new dashboard and old dashboard should behave the same with the tiles as you scroll, but this was tested and most popular to only update the top part. I'd like to know my daily info as I scroll, and not drill down on each tile. 

[khfb]

Interestingly, the tiles on the web version update as you scroll through the dates.  You don't have to drill down on anything. 

[Lyrehc]

---

@khfb wrote:

The new IOS dashboard is a **ahem**.  After 2 replies to fitbit about a software defect, they disagree with me.  The new dashboard ALWAYS displays the SAME info for exercise, calories, steps per hour, water, etc (all the tiles below the line or on the bottom as they call it) for the current day only.  The only thing that updates as you scroll between days is the steps, miles, cals, and minutes (info at the top).  You have to click the tile of each to see the progress of the day you actually want.  I tried to argue the new dashboard and old dashboard should behave the same with the tiles as you scroll, but this was tested and most popular to only update the top part. I'd like to know my daily info as I scroll, and not drill down on each tile. 

---

They said that not looking at the correct data on previous days was tested and most popular?  I don't suppose they said with whom?  Based on all the negative feedback, it does not seem to have been with actual customers.  I have not seen one single post that someone likes this "feature" of the new dashboard.

[TheRealSTB]

It was probably a popular idea with their boneheaded designer or program manager and they're oblivious to actual user feedback on the forums.

I've been watching this thread for a long time and I agree -- NOT A SINGLE PERSON SAID THEY LIKE THE LOWER TILES STUCK ON THE CURRENT DAY!

[PureEvil]

@TheRealSTB,

OR it may be that the folks who prefer it have no reason to come to the forums at all.

[Lyrehc]

Negative comments about the new dashboard are not limited to the forums.

Reading through the reviews in the app store, positive reviews are mostly people talking about how they like fitbit in general or their trackers, not about the app specifically.  Many negative reviews are complaints about the app, specifically the new dashboard or pink banner if you stick with old, including people who think the current day info on previous days is a bug.  

I just keep wondering who at fitbit thought that Apple product people would like a layout that copies Microsoft's tiles...

[LuvSk8ing182]

Oh my god! I literally just had the biggest heart attack in app-update history! I have been avoiding the most recent update to the Fitbit app like the plague! I don't need a banner constantly on my screen trying to get me to use a version of the app that I've tested and hated. Since I cannot allow my apps to automatically update anymore due to Fitbit disregard towards their customers, I have to manually update each and every app. Well...I accidentally pressed the "Update All" button! Panic ensued! I ended up turning off my phone as fast as I could, so that I can devise a plan to stop the update before it was too late. I had 23 apps updating and looking for the Fitbit app while panicking was definitely going to allow it to download considering I was on a very fast Wi-Fi connection. When I turned on my phone, I put it in airplane mode ASAP and then went to the app store to stop all downloads. It was a success!

Why am I sharing this? Because Fitbit NEEDS to understand that when the thought of updating an app leads customers to experience a mild anxiety attack, it is most definitely NOT a good update!

I'm about ready to drive up north to their headquarters in San Francisco to give them a stern talking to.

Fitbit, why are you driving customers away from your products that they have come to love? I have had my Fitbit Charge HR since 2012. Does my loyalty mean nothing to you and your developers?

[wellsmc]

Agreed! And worse than that is that they are going to replace a one page, easy to use dashboard with one that isn't as functional and requires multiple clicks to get to your information. Needless to say I am very frustrated with Fitbit.

Sent from my iPhone

[wellsmc]

Hate to tell you Luv but they just don't care about their users. I have been a loyal Charge user since it was first introduced. Initially Fitbit was very customer focused. A little success has simply made them arrogant and oblivious to their customers. I have other Apple and Microsoft products. If I wanted an Apple Watch that is multipurpose I would buy one. If I wanted Microsoft style tiles I would buy a Microsoft Band 2. Forcing users to accept a new dashboard that is much less user friendly is not good business. Having customer service tell people who offer feedback that the switch to the new dashboard is going to happen and the ugly red banner will stay until the forced conversion...period. No discussion...no user feedback needed. We will decide what is good for you. Well my friends at Fitbit...you may force conversion to the new dashboard. But the users will have the last laugh because they will simply leave fir another product that is run by people who genuinely want to serve their users.

Sent from my iPhone

[tigerwizards]

I agree. If I wanted a phone whose APP s look like WINDOWS Mobile, I won't be using an iPhone and an iPad. BUT my next gadget money will be an APPLE Watch and the FITBIT can go on Ebay, if it survives its own battery quirk.
BWW - Tigerwizards

[SunsetRunner]

A number of us have been there and done that! It's a shame that Apple won't allow us to selectively disregard individual app updates.  

Been burned a number of times, by "blindly" updating apps, thinking that the update simply fixes bugs... only to find out afterwords the update was simply to remove features/functionality, or include advertisements.  

I wish I had a backup of the previous version of the Fitbit app, that didn't include the fugly pink banner.  I'm afraid however, that with the release of iOS v10 this fall, we will be forced to upgrade our apps - particularly Fitbit.  Then in the end - they get their way.  

I'm seriously looking at alternative trackers - I hate this arrogant mindset of Fitbit.  I can't think of any recent example of where Fitbit actually listened to their customers.  Their forums are full of unanswered complaints and suggestions.  The moderators and Fitbit representatives are all conveniently absent from threads of this nature.  

Is it that hard to leave the List Dashboard in place?  The coding has been done, and perfected over the years. What's the big deal of giving us the choice?  Seems like such a no-brainer, easy token to offer your customers.    It's not as tho we are asking for a new interface that has yet to be programmed or designed.  

[PureEvil]

Hello @tigerwizards and @LuvSk8ing182,

First, allow me to say that I do not own any Apple devices, so I do not know the extent of the changes.  Though the way folks have described it, it seem like the changes are similar to the online dashboard with the dials.

Second, if all you want to do is vent, then by all means feel free to disregard the remainder of the message.

That said, allow me to make the observation that this dashboard has been compared to Windows Mobile and the iWatch (indidentally, that's not the name of the product, it's the Apple Watch):

"If I wanted a phone whose APP s look like WINDOWS Mobile, I won't be using an iPhone and an iPad."

And

"I do not understand why such a prominent and established company feels the need to Apple-ify their product." from this thread.

In my personal opinion, Fitbit's UI is strictly Fitbit's.  It's neither Apple-like to Windows-like; it's uniquely Fitbit.  Fitbit being its own brand, apart from Microsoft, Google, or Apple, should have its own look and feel independent of the platform that its running on.

If you go from a Galaxy S7 to an iPad to a Surface Book over the course of your day, the Fitbit App should be similar to navigate and read.  Will there be subtle differences between platforms (like Live Tiles or Widgets)?  Absolutely!  ...but the look and feel of the Fitbit App should be Fitbit.

I know many of you are screaming, why change anything?!  The simple truth is that you can't improve anything if you don't change it.  So to that end, I encourage you to give precise, actionable feedback, like:

• The colors on the dials should follow the same color scheme as the bars did before (and the online dashboard does).  Different colors when you're far from goal, close to goal and goal achieved.
• Users should be able to re-arrange tiles or even disable them.
• Etc.

To say simply to "put it back the way it was" is not constructive.

The folks that are screaming "put it back the way it was" are likely the same folks who grew cozy with going to Blockbuster Video on a Friday evening to spend 1/2 hour wandering through the store looking for that perfect movie and would've resisted any change in how Blockbuster ran their business.  Where is Blockbuster now?

In order to make improvements and stay competitive, you need to make changes.  Otherwise, you risk becoming the next Blockbuster.

[SunsetRunner]

While I agree with your earlier comments,  I have to disagree with your Blockbuster comparision.  

It wasn't Blockbuster's customers that resisted the changes - Blockbuster simply failed to understand their customers and where the market was headed.   Oh, and the fact that they opted not to purchase Netflix when they had several opportunities to do so also probably helped.  🙂  In the end, Blockbuster became the punch-line on how not to run a business and short-sightedness. 

Fitbit is doing some of this now - by not listening to their customers.  Apple Healthkit is a perfect example.  There are plenty of other companies that have been offering support day one.  

With everyone producing trackers these days - Fitbit needs to stay focused on their customers,

make quality products, and innovate if they wish to maintain their relevance in the crowed market of trackers.  Their share already plunged from 32.6% last year to 24.5% at the start of 2016.  

The rollout of the tiles is indeed part of continous improvement to their app (to call it innovative would be a big stretch), the fact that they appear to be be only providing the tile view in the future (based on current evidence) shows they aren't listening their customers. 

I don't believe anyone is wanting to "stifle" Fitbit's CI process - we just want the choice and know that our voices are being heard.  

[TheRealSTB]

@PureEvil

Before you get on your soapbox like that, maybe you should've read more of the posts on this forum. Many users want to go back to the old dashboard because it provided functionality this one doesn't, not just because they're too stuck in their ways.

I was one of the first that voiced one key deficiency: Fitbit's **ahem**ic decision to make only the top 5 items change when you scroll forward/backward across days. This used to change all tiles in the first few versions of the new dashboard until Fitbit regressed this. It was so dumb, I contacted them to report it as a new bug only to be told it was "by design" (read: by RETARDED design) and directed to this forum to provide feedback. Little did I know this forum is place where feedback goes to die.

I haven't seen a single response from Fitbit to any feedback/complaint here.

You say:  "The simple truth is that you can't improve anything if you don't change it.  So to that end, I encourage you to give precise, actionable feedback"

I would say "Change is bad, unless it's great!".

However, Fitbit is shoving a half-baked solution down our throats because they didn't fully consider all usage scenarios of the old dashboard, such as srolling days and seeing all stats reflect the currently selected days. And I as well as others provided specific, actionable feedback on that, and it's being ignored.

[Jensta]

Completely agree with you!!!!

I was also one of the first to write and ask whether this was a bug.

If only they just corrected this one tiny aspect of the design and showed prior day results on ALL tiles, then I think they would appease at least 50% of the customers (if not more) who have complained about the new dashboard.

I fail to understand why FitBit are ignoring the feedback pertaining to such important functionality. You cannot take designs backward. Surely a good company must take designs forward ??!! It's such a simple ask to make this design change!

I too am discouraged by the fact that no one from FitBit has bothered to comment through these multiple threads. It's like all staff have been told not to do this. When they first released the product, they were actively interacting with their consumers via the Community Forum. It's almost like the company has been sold to new owners who don't give a **ahem**. The stark change in their lack of consumer respect is quite astounding and extremely disappointing.

Please FitBit - why don't you listen to those who have been your advocates from the beginning?! All the majority of us are asking for is a bit of common sense here around the tile functionality.

Sent from my iPhone

[PureEvil]

@SunsetRunner,

That's fair, though I didn't imply that Blockbuster's demise was due to their customers resisting change, though I can understand how it may be interpreted that way.

I was simply pointing out that to improve you need to change and if not changing at all, you run the real risk of getting disrupted, Blockbuster being a good example.

To say that Fitbit is not listening because they have not responded or that they will inevitably change it regardless of what people say here in the forum is not entirely fair.  For every one of you screaming here in this thread there are probably dozens of folks who either love the new layout (and have not spoken up here in the forums) or don't find either one necessarily better or worse than the other...  Just different.

I can tell you personally, that I was using my Fitbit happily for two years before I first came to the forums.  Naturally, when I did come to the forums is because I was having an issue.  Have you considered that perhaps the vast majority of folks using the new dashboard are simply in a similar state of bliss and have had no need to post anything at all?

They can 'listen' to their customers by seeing how many folks are setting it back to the old dashboard and how often folks are looking at their stats and interacting with the new dashboard.

I can tell you from seeing the Fitbit App run on another platform that the changes come gradually...  First, they enabled the round gauges without the ability to disable any nor the ability to rearrange them.  Next, they enabled both of these capabilities.  I can only imagine that's also the case here.

The question about the option to keep the old dashboard is a tough one, but one that I can understand.  On one hand, many people will simply conclude that it's simple to just have an option to keep the old one.  Realistically, it's not that simple.  Maintaining two dashboards means that you'll need to at least continue to fix bugs with the old dashboard.  And every time Fitbit adds a new feature (like HR monitoring with the newer trackers) or active hours; they'll need to determine if they will simply omit it from the old dashboard entirely (which will have people screaming here in the forums) or spend resources implementing it...

In other words, having an option to just go back to the old dashboard is not free.

[wellsmc]

Keeping the one page list dashboard as an option should be an easy decision...but you forget that Fitbit simply doesn't care...I am convinced that they think they know best and will proceed to force everyone to adopt the new tile/icon format.

Sent from my iPhone

[wellsmc]

This post is a great example of the Fitbit arrogance! I'm sick and tired of it. Some things don't need to be changed. And some things when they are charged simply aren't better. This is the case with the Fitbit dashboard. And by the way most of the feedback here has been very specific...and it is also worth saying that calls to Fitbit are met with arrogance and dismissiveness!

Sent from my iPhone

[wellsmc]

Very well said.

Sent from my iPhone

[wellsmc]

Thanks for this...well said. I am all for positive change. But this forced change is devolving the product not making it better and more competitive.

The previous example of Blockbuster is instructive. Blockbuster failed because they weren't listening to what their customers wanted. They wanted to push their half baked ideas tied to their brick and mortar stores. Circuit City and Radio Shack are two other great examples of companies that could have easily changed with the times based on customer feedback but instead they failed pushing their agenda AGAINST customer needs and views.

Sent from my iPhone