Tag: Charge 5

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Mobile Syrup

Fitbit’s rumoured Charge 6 reportedly will look like the Charge 5

Fitbit unveiled several new devices late last month, but rumours continue to swirl about another new fitness tracker: the Charge 6. The latest? Fitbit’s rumoured Charge 6 will look like last year’s Charge 5.

The report hardly comes as a surprise. Fitbit tends to use the same design for its products, only shaking things up every few years. The Charge 5 brought a major refresh to the look of Fitbit’s Charge tracker line, so it makes sense that the Charge 6 will maintain it.

9to5Google detailed the Charge 6 design based on information from an unnamed source. According to that source, the Charge 6 will sport a predominately “curved glass surface with an aluminum body that has shiny strips on the left and right for ECG readings.”

Moreover, this suggests any major changes coming with the Charge 6 will be internal, likely just feature improvements. That leaves the question of what, exactly, Fitbit wants to improve or add over what was available in the Charge 5. 9to5 notes that a continuous electrodermal activity (cEDA) sensor would make sense, as that was a major upgrade added to the new Sense 2 watch.

Other options could include an altimeter for stair and floor tracking or GPS improvements.

Previous leaks about a Fitbit tracker that will likely be the Charge 6 indicate the company is working on integrating Google Wallet to support on-wrist payments. The Charge 6 (or possibly a refresh of the Luxe tracker) was spotted passing through the FCC, indicating it could launch soon, but it remains unclear when.

Fitbit announced the Charge 5 in August 2021, but Fitbit didn’t announce a Charge 6 in August 2022 with its fall line-up. Some speculated Fitbit could wait to launch the Charge 6 in the new year so it doesn’t cannibalize Charge 5 holiday sales, but it remains to be seen.

Source: 9to5Google

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Mobile Syrup

Fitbit adds ECG to Charge 5, blood glucose logging to app

Fitbit started rolling out its new Daily Readiness feature today. However, the company also announced a couple of small features hitting its latest tracker and app.

First up, the new Fitbit Charge 5 fitness tracker now has on-device electrocardiogram (ECG). This marks the first time a Fitbit fitness tracker has offered the feature (previously, it was only available for the company’s smartwatches).

The ECG feature works similarly to other wearables, including Fitbit’s Sense smartwatch. You can access it by swiping to the ‘ECG’ screen on your Charge 5 (for me, it was one swipe left or six swipes right). Then, tap it to activate and start the process, which involves pressing your index finger and thumb to the stainless steel panels on either side of the Charge 5 and holding still for 30 seconds.

At the end of the scan, the Charge 5 will tell you whether your sinus rhythm is normal. If not, it could be a sign of atrial fibrillation (an irregularity in your heartbeat). It’s important to note that the ECG feature isn’t a replacement for going to the doctor.

If you don’t see the ECG app on your Charge 5, you might need to install the ECG app first. You can do so by opening the Fitbit app on your phone > tapping your profile picture in the top-left corner > Charge 5 > Apps > ECG. Make sure it’s installed and up-to-date.

Image credit: Fitbit

The other feature arriving for Fitbit users today is the ability to do blood glucose logging in the Fitbit app. Now available for users in Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain and the U.K., the feature should prove beneficial to those who need to monitor their blood sugar level. You can learn more about blood glucose logging in Fitbit here.

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Fitbit adds ECG to Charge 5, blood glucose logging to app

Fitbit started rolling out its new Daily Readiness feature today. However, the company also announced a couple of small features hitting its latest tracker and app.

First up, the new Fitbit Charge 5 fitness tracker now has on-device electrocardiogram (ECG). This marks the first time a Fitbit fitness tracker has offered the feature (previously, it was only available for the company’s smartwatches).

The ECG feature works similarly to other wearables, including Fitbit’s Sense smartwatch. You can access it by swiping to the ‘ECG’ screen on your Charge 5 (for me, it was one swipe left or six swipes right). Then, tap it to activate and start the process, which involves pressing your index finger and thumb to the stainless steel panels on either side of the Charge 5 and holding still for 30 seconds.

At the end of the scan, the Charge 5 will tell you whether your sinus rhythm is normal. If not, it could be a sign of atrial fibrillation (an irregularity in your heartbeat). It’s important to note that the ECG feature isn’t a replacement for going to the doctor.

If you don’t see the ECG app on your Charge 5, you might need to install the ECG app first. You can do so by opening the Fitbit app on your phone > tapping your profile picture in the top-left corner > Charge 5 > Apps > ECG. Make sure it’s installed and up-to-date.

Image credit: Fitbit

The other feature arriving for Fitbit users today is the ability to do blood glucose logging in the Fitbit app. Now available for users in Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain and the U.K., the feature should prove beneficial to those who need to monitor their blood sugar level. You can learn more about blood glucose logging in Fitbit here.