fitness tracker

Google’s Pixel Watch is widely considered to be an all-around solid fitness tracker with a suite of solid smartwatch features. However, one bug discovered since its release is the inaccurate calorie burn data the wearable provides.

Google has been really utilizing the Fitbit umbrella, especially when it comes to the Pixel Watch. In a sense, the device bridges the gap between the Pixel line and the fitness tracker and offers the best of both worlds. However, users are starting to discover that the wearable’s Fitbit integration software is inflating calorie burn results.

The Pixel Watch is experiencing an issue where it displays inaccurate data on a user’s basal metabolic rate (BMR). This leads to inflated results and unreliable stats for those invested in keeping track. BMR is a stat that considers age, weight, height and sex. This metric utilizes these factors to calculate passive calories burned throughout the day. Therefore, if a device is inaccurately reading a BMR count, the data churned out for the user is relatively meaningless.

The Google Pixel Watch team is aware of the issue. Google states that rebooting the Pixel Watch may temporarily solve the problem. While it’s unknown what a proper fix looks like, it raises a much deeper conversation regarding fitness trackers. Different wearable manufacturers use various algorithms to power their trackers. Therefore, there are often inconsistencies across the board.

Fitness trackers from Google, Samsung and countless others use data taken from steps taken, heart rates, distance, etc. and combine them with the metrics listed above. Pairing with age, height, gender and weight, these trackers estimate what they believe is an accurate read on calories burned.

As of now, fitness trackers and wearables aren’t able to give 100 percent accurate data. It’s important to keep that in mind when looking at calories burned. However, they can provide a good baseline. Using the Pixel Watch as an example, it shows that a minor bug can even impact the algorithms powering these statistics.

Source: Android Police Via: The Verge

It’s no secret that Fitbit has new smartwatches and fitness trackers on the way, and now new renders provide the best look yet at the upcoming Sense 2, Versa 4 and Inspire 3.

The renders come from leaker OnLeaks and 91mobiles and show off Fitbit’s new devices in various colours and with new watch faces. However, the details here are all about the looks — we know from previous leaks that the Sense 2 and Versa 4 will bring back the physical button, and the Sense 2 will move the electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor under the glass. That’s a significant departure from the Sense, which uses a stainless steel band around the edge of the watch for ECG.

Presumably, the Sense 2 will also support all of the features available on the original Sense, including SpO2 sensing, heart rate tracking, an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor, and 50m water resistance. The leaked renders show off the Sense 2 in three colours, ‘Gold,’ ‘Graphite,’ and ‘Platinum.’

: Fitbit Sense 2 Platinum

: Fitbit Sense 2 Gold

: Fitbit Sense 2 Graphite

The Versa 4 will also look similar to its predecessors and likely will sport similar features, although we know less about it overall. It’s expected to come in ‘Graphite’ and ‘Rose’ colours and will sport voice assistant support and an OLED display.

: Fitbit Versa 4 Rose

: Fitbit Versa 4 Graphite

Finally, if pricey smartwatches aren’t your style, Fitbit also has plans to refresh its lower-cost Inspire tracker. The Inspire 3 hasn’t appeared in many leaks yet, but the renders suggest Fitbit won’t significantly change the design. Likely, the Inspire 3 will continue to be the go-to option for people who want basic fitness tracking for a reasonable price.

: Fitbit Inspire 3 Yellow

: Fitbit Inspire 3 Graphite

: Fitbit Inspire 3 Pink

Although it looks like Fitbit has a suite of new devices on the way, it remains unclear when any of these devices will launch. Fitbit unveiled the original Sense in August 2020, so it’s possible there could be a Fitbit event soon. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that Google now owns Fitbit, and the company’s upcoming Pixel Watch is expected to leverage Fitbit tech. It’s possible we could see a later Fitbit launch, perhaps in line with the Pixel Watch reveal expected later this year (perhaps in October, alongside the Pixel 7 series?).

Images credit: 91mobiles

Source: OnLeaks, 91mobiles