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.

[LuvSk8ing182]

I'll save it. Keep an eye out for my update post. I'll try to do this soon, but my classes are getting really crazy and I haven't found time to sit down and backup my phone. Send me a message when you see my update. Most likely sometime after my final exam in 3 weeks, but I'll try to do it sooner.

[strawberry_]

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@LuvSk8ing182 wrote:
I'll save it. Keep an eye out for my update post. I'll try to do this soon, but my classes are getting really crazy and I haven't found time to sit down and backup my phone. Send me a message when you see my update. Most likely sometime after my final exam in 3 weeks, but I'll try to do it sooner.

---

I'm really glad you were able to read my post about the .ipa file before the moderators sensored me and deleted my post! 

Bless you

[PureEvil]

Hello folks,

Sadly, I know there are some folks who are simply going to start reading this and naturally assume that I'm wrong and I don't make any sense, no matter what I happen to say.  I'm hoping that I may at least be able to get some of the remainder of you to listen.

First allow me to say that there are portions of the new dashboard that may be improved and yes, there are portions that have even regressed.  That said, to have one monolithic feature suggestion to effectively "put everything back the way it was" or even to "allow some of us who have everything the way it was" is really a bit of a non-starter.

By virtue of being in this part of the forum, you folks are iOS users.  So what if the same thing occured with iOS?  What if Apple made some changes from iOS 9 to iOS 10 that have you screaming in frustration?  Do you honestly think Apple would really entertain the idea of putting it all back?  Or making iOS 9 available to iPhone 7 users?  Probably not.

This is not to say that you should endure those things that frustrate you... of course not.  However, making one monolithic feature suggestion (and voting that way) is taking an all-or-nothing approach that, in my opinion, will end up geting you the latter (nothing).  Since so many of you have described in detail why you don't like the new dashboard, why not post individual feature requests (and vote) for the individual issues.  Some of these already exist:

• Ability to see previous days with all tiles on iOS app
• Return Progress Colors to Goal Tiles on iOS app

And I already know what many of your reactions will be "why should I do individual feature requests when I want it all put back?"  And the simple answer is because you're more likely to get smaller things changed (and sooner) rather than the one big change.

Really, this is not that different than coordinating where and when to do a group dinner with friends and loved ones, which I assume we've all done.  You can say "I can only do 7pm on Tuesday at only this restaurant" or you can say "Any evening next week and somewhere I can get a good salad."  The more flexible people can honestly be, the more likely they'll get what they really want.

For instance, @Poo/@Blokeypoo has the right idea here.  She/he lists which features are most important (tracking calories in/out) and which ones are merely would be nice (layout is poor to me).  What I would suggest is to find and existing feature suggestion (or create a new one) that outlines how you think tracking calories would work best.

Next, I'd ask you folks to think about whether or not something is legitimately poorly done or whether it's merely the fact that it's different and thus unfamiliar.  Allow me to give you a for instance with the design of cars.  I routinely drive two cars (mine and my wife's).  There are two elements of the UI that are different in each car: the direction of the windshield wiper lever to activate and the location of the gas tank cap.  So for each of these:

• Windshield wiper lever: In glove compartment: Horrifically bad.  Up to activate: Fine.  Down to activate: Fine.
• Gas cap: On roof of car: Horrifically bad.  Driver side: Fine.  Passenger side: Fine.

Now, despite the fact that neither convention is wrong, I still struggle with it because they're different.  More than once I've waited in line and pulled up to a gas pump on the wrong side (for that car), only to have to leave the pump and get back in line.  It's embarassing.

If you can point out why something is legitimately wrong (like a gas intake on the roof of the car would be)...  Great!  If it's merely it's not where I expect it to be (like the gas intake on the passenger side vs. the driver side) then really...  make the adjustments, move on with life.

Next, why I prefer the new dashboard...  It's closer in design with the online dashboard and it's more information dense (it displays more stats on one page).  Sigh, I know that people are going to tell me that I'm wrong and illogical, but here are the two unstiched dashboards side by side

I counted them 7 vs. 8.

Additionally, I find that the circular gauges are easier to read quickly than the bars.  Allow me to explain, my eyesight is not what it used to be and I need reading glasses.  Without them I can see shapes easily on my phone, but some fine details (like the thin line underneath the bars) are tougher to see.  The shape of the circular gauges tells me my progress, the shape of the bars do not.  In order to illustrate the point, I've removed the lines on both graphs:

For anyone who knows how to read an analog clock, it's pretty clear that I've made about 25% of my step goal (the shape conveys the progress), with the bar graph, it's much tougher to tell.  Yes, I can put on my reading glasses (and conversely, you can make those 2-4 additional taps to get to your exercises).

Lastly, I'd like to remind you that the folks on this thread who are venting are not representative of all Fitbit users.  In other words, you can (and do), though not that you should, discourage folks from who actually like the new dashboard from posting on this thread.  I've seen the comments:

• "Why do you butt in?"
• "allow people to voice their opinion and be unhappy with the app. move on..." (and that's after it was amended, the first post was more blunt).

If you're effectively browbeating folks who like the new dashboard into shutting up, then naturally the remaining folks are going to give an impression that everyone hates the new dashboard.

We don't.

[lcynicl]

IPA files only work for the account which purchased them

[uptonld]

Have been traveling for over two months and not using my Fitbit Flex. Lo and behold when I used it the first time I found your so called update. After limping around in it for several days I can tell you I HATE it. I understand there is no option to go back to the old format. I've used my Fitbit for over two years and love it....but can't live with this clumsy update. I will be investigating the apps for some of the other fitness bands and hope to find something that is more compatible for me.

[shoeb]

Dear Derrick and Drew, I don't have the option to toggle back to the old version of the app
My advance setting doesn't display the toggle to 'Preview New Dashboard' off at the top of the page.
What should I do to go back to old dashboard

[Rich_Laue]

@shoeb I'll assume that since this is the iOS area you have an iOS phone.. Therefore the new desktop is not beta for you and the old desktop is not supported anymore.

[AnotherBlaze]

I notice FitBit's shares are tanking this evening, down over 30% in after hours trading.

Serves them right.

Try listening to your customers in future. Meanwhile, I am enjoying my new (non FitBit) fitness tracker.

Byeeeee

[strawberry_]

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@AnotherBlaze wrote:
I notice FitBit's shares are tanking this evening, down over 30% in after hours trading.

Serves them right.

Try listening to your customers in future. Meanwhile, I am enjoying my new (non FitBit) fitness tracker.

Byeeeee

---

Indeed, there is a large crowd of people interested buying fitness trackers on imgur and reddit. I've been linking them to this thread showcasing the false advertising (Fitbit continues to advertise the OLD Dashboard instead of the new one), and telling them to go with a different tracker such as Garmin or Jawbone.

I will be doing the same once New Years fitness resolutions roll around and people ask which fitness tracker to buy.

Fitbit is not what it used to be. Because of this, there are now better products on the market with better apps and reliability.

[PureEvil]

@AnotherBlaze,

Actually, there have been many positive responses on the new dashboard, I had posted some before, but here are a few:

Factoring out the issue with "tiles don't reflect previous days" and "colors don't change as you get close to goal", there have been many positive responses about this new dashboard on this very thread:

• "LOVE THE NEW IOS DASH!!!" by healthy17
• "Love the new dashboard. Looks much more modern and matches the revamped iOS! Great job, FitBit design team." by CourtneyHK
• "I like the new dashboard but please enable colour changing for progress advancing (blue--yellow--orange--green)" by Petrinho
• "Agreed! I like the new app but please incorporate the colors for progress!" by FLJeff
• "I like it better than the old layout. I find it intuitive and very easy to read." by Nolander
• "Love the new layout." by hawkyou
• "I like the new dashboard, but it's annoying that going back to previous day's doesn't show historical data for the bottom tiles." by Tomcapp
• "@Tomcapp I agree! I thought this might be a glitch only I was having but apparently not! Would definitely use if I could see previous day's data in the bottom tiles but as I can't I'm switching back to the old dashboard for now." by FiW
• "Nice layout i like it" by Troublemaker
• "I absolutely love it! Thanks for the update! Awesome job team Fitbit!!" by Rebeccaky
• "Love the new dashboard, thank you Fitbit!!" by SheBFit
• "I downloaded the updated yesterday and at first I really didn't like the new look. However, having used it for a while I am loving it. A couple of suggestions..." by GadgetMOnster

As for why there haven't been any lately, I think it's mostly because the folks who want to vent have been alienating other folks from posting with remarks like:

• "why do you butt in?" by @D_Silva
• "let it go. allow people to voice their opinion and be unhappy with the app. move on..." by @karen100

So this has become a corner for people to complain and anyone voicing a different opinion be smited.

So after all that the feature request for an Option to keep old iOS dashboard is now hovering at 106 votes, when during the same time Pokemon Go integration is at 672 votes.

"Try listening to your customers in future."  Yes, by all means, Fitbit should listen to the very vocal 106 customers who want the old dashboard back, the remaining millions of iOS users who like the new dashboard be damned.

Wow, it's a clear indication that all those iOS users are distressed OR maybe the vast majority of iOS users are perfectly fine with the new dashboard and the remaining handful of you are simply venting on this thread.

Possible?

[karen100]

my response: "let it go. allow people to voice their opinion and be
unhappy with the app. move on..." was directed directly to you,
PureEvil, and to you only.

move on. seriously.

[PureEvil]

Fair, but the other ones weren't (for instance, the 'butt in' comment wasn't directed at me)...  And it's still a voice of opposition that is being squelched.

All I'm saying is that folks on this thread can't on one hand instruct other folks to allow them to vent in peace, and then look at the posts on this thread (that are biased, by design) and come to the conclusion that everyone hates the dashboard.

Many folks like the new dashboard, and possibly outnumber the folks who don't.

[Rich_Laue]

If you guys look back a year plus you will see the now old, then new dashboard was a change of contention in that Fitbit had removed the option to switch back the the old. 

So I see this thread as a repeat. 

I see at 106 votes and  227 comments this request has turned into a complaining contest appose to giving constructive reasons as to why fitbit should spend the extra resources to update and troubleshoot two desktop versions.

BTW 106 votes is nothing compared to the more clock face post with 2253 and only 1021comments with several posts giving details with possible face designs. 

@AnotherBlazeyou really think that the drop in stock is over one very small aspect of the Fitbit experiance? Especially when I glance through these 30 pages I see the same dozen names with their complaints popping up. what happened to the 100,000 other user that you claim don't like the dashboard? I don't see them posting here? 

I have read many who like the dashboard, find it looking ref trashing and modern, plus they like that it matches the web version. And if you look at the Android thread there seems to be many anxiously waiting for this dashboard to come to them. It currently is only a soluble to the App beta users, and I do like it. It's not cluttered and really like that the several pages of settings have been combined into one. 

What I see most about the tiles and past dates is not a valid argument in that with the old, while yes you could see more of yesterday's data on the dashboard, you still had to tap through to the same page you do now, to compare days. On the old dashboard several days could not be compared without flopping back and forth. 

[shoeb]

@Rich_Laue (Ultramarathon Racer)
Yes I have the app on an iOS platform. I was unable to find a way to revert
to the older dashboard. Please do let me know if there is a way to revert
to the previous colourful dashboard which had details in rows rather than
tiles (current dashboard)

[Rich_Laue]

Ive already explained that to you, the ios app is not in beta anymore, thats what those 5 people combined with over 100 posts,  exception of two posts, all are about this new dashboard and that the user cantrevert back. This gives the impression that maybe 12 people, out of all ios users do not like the new dashboard.

[shoeb]

@Rich_Laue (Ultramarathon Racer)
Thanks again for the clarification.

[strawberry_]

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@karen100 wrote:
my response: "let it go. allow people to voice their opinion and be
unhappy with the app. move on..." was directed directly to you,
PureEvil, and to you only.

move on. seriously.

---

PureEvil is literally obsessed with writing walls of text about how great the app is in a thread specifically made to discuss what people are unhappy about with the new app. lol he probably doesn't even own an iOS device. 

High grade delusional right there.

[PureEvil]

@strawberry_

So if Fitbit was so neglectful of their customers opinions that would warrant (not my words):

• "FitBit's shares are tanking this evening, down over 30% in after hours trading."
• "Try listening to your customers in future."

And this is in direct correlation with folks being unhappy about the dashboard (since it was posted on this thread by @AnotherBlaze).  You'd imagine that there'd be 1000's of votes on this feature request.  Get those 1000's of votes and I'll concede.

106 107 people are unhappy about the dashboard.  The vast majority of people are not.

...and no, the thread was about announcing the new dashboard (read the first post), it wasn't (your words) "specifically made to discuss what people are unhappy about the new app".  It was hijacked (by folks like you) to be a thread with people complaining about the dashboard, and that's mostly because the folks who are complaining are downright hostile to anyone who might express a different opinion:

• "You don't see how illogical your own argument is. You're an utter joke."
• "Reality check: you're wrong and your posts are illogical."
• "High grade delusional right there."
• "Your post is extremely ignorant."
• "If you don't know what the what our complaints are about, why do you butt in?"

And no, these are not all directed at me in particular nor are they all by one poster.  The thread was made to discuss the new dashboard, all opinions are welcome.  I get most of the abuse because I won't be browbeat into shutting up simply because some of you folks want to be uncivil.

Honestly, I don't really care if you guys are going to vent.  I generally leave folks who say, "I don't like the new dashboard" alone.  What does irritate me is when people then claim that based on the activity on this thread, Fitbit doesn't listen.  You folks have hijacked a thread and then take very hostile means to dissuade folks from posting any opposing view and then use this thread as evidence that everyone hates the new dashboard and Fitbit doesn't listen.  This is like going to a country club and coming to the conclusion that everyone likes golf.

For the record, I never claimed that the new dashboard was great (really... read through my posts).  There are many elements of the tiled dashboard that I prefer (and prefer the new dashboard in general), and for whatever it's worth, the transition from bars to circular gauges are consistent between devices (Windows, Android, or iOS).  What I will claim is that it's not as horribly broken as many folks on this thread might lead you to believe.  It's not downright unusable (you get most of the same information presented differently and in some cases you need additional taps to get to the same information).

Allow me to frame it differently...  If the dashboard was horribly broken, what would that look like with respect to the votes on the feature?  Should it be 4000+ votes (as you had suggested that you all collect)?  Sure.

There aren't many votes on this at all, doesn't that at least imply that most people are generally happy with the new dashboard?  The numbers speak for themselves.

107 votes vs. other features that have 7x as many for a similar timeframe...  People care more about Pokemon Go than the switch to the new dashboard (by nearly 7:1).  The dashboard is horribly broken?  Who's delusional?

Want to shut me up?  Get the votes.  Or maybe you can't, because most people are perfectly happy with the new dashboard.

[tigerwizards]

This thread and this last post is hostile and so from someone complaining
about others being hostile. Mercy, people. It is bad dashboard where the
tiles cannot show for a prior day that days sleep on the tile. The sleep
tile is often just blank. I force a sync and today gets its values and some
of them show as the data for previous days. Why are some tiles just 'empty'
as in a tile / icon with no information. Nothing anyone says about how they
like it will convert most who do not. Whoever moderates this forum for
FITBIT should also send feedback from the forum. In other words, be an
advocate for the users and liaison for the company. These roles are
compatible and often embodied in quality control, training or other staff
positions in business. Promise you I did so for over 25 years in banking and
public services. Surely a moderator for some fitness products can be a
linking pin that helps the company be responsive and helps the customer
understand what the tech side did and is working and why somethings are off
the table.



I hope someone reads this who is responsible and willing to be a liaison
with this customer group. When this is not happening in a business in time
the business starts unravel and ultimately fail due to its our neglect of it
customers. Now wherever in the organization these messages and our issues
and input should go, get the message where it should go rather than trying
to stand your ground when you don't really know if the sand you are walking
on is quick sand or soft powder on the banks of the bay.

[LuvSk8ing182]

@PureEvil

Stop being so petty. If it upsets you that people are venting on this post, just unsubscribe. Fitbit had merged like 3 different posts to this thread and a couple posts into another thread I'm subscribed to from the time that I first learned about community threads to now.

It's not about how many peop are voting. It's about removing product functionality. I've said it once and I'll say it again: many of those who are okay with the new dashboard most likely never even used the functions that were removed. The majority of fitness band users only care about tracking calories and steps. Everything else is just extra fluff to them. Those people won't care if they can quickly correlate their sleep pattern with their food intake. However, the new dashboard has turned this once quick correlation into a tedious, time wasting

Stop bickering about the chatter on this thread and just unsubscribe if it's bothering you that much. Honestly, you're being very contradictory by constantly repeating the same overall message about how you're upset that people keep posting about the same frustrations over and over again.

You're doing the same thing as the prople you're complaining about!