Daily Technology
·12/02/2026
Google is implementing a significant overhaul of the Fitbit application, integrating its Gemini artificial intelligence model to introduce a personalized health coach. This development signals a strategic shift from passive data collection to proactive, AI-driven wellness management. The new version, initially previewed to a select group, is now expanding its availability, prompting a technical comparison with its predecessor.
The previous Fitbit app presented users with a range of daily health metrics, placing the burden of interpretation largely on the individual. The redesigned interface introduces a more streamlined and intuitive structure organized around four primary tabs: Today, Fitness, Sleep, and Health.
A key technical change is the shift in data focus. While the former app emphasized day-to-day statistics, the new design prioritizes weekly trends. According to Google, this approach offers a more accurate reflection of a user's long-term progress, smoothing out the noise of daily fluctuations.
The most substantial performance upgrade is the introduction of the "Coach" feature, powered by Google's Gemini AI. This transforms the app from a static data repository into an interactive wellness tool. Users can engage the AI through an "Ask Coach" prompt to receive analysis and recommendations based on their personal data.
Functionally, the AI can answer specific queries, such as recommending a 30-minute workout or providing strategies to improve VO2 max. It can also analyze correlations within a user's own data, for instance, determining if sleep quality improves on days with higher step counts. This represents a move from raw data output to contextualized, actionable intelligence.
Personalization in the new app is significantly more advanced. During an optional onboarding process, users can define their goals, log available fitness equipment, and note any physical limitations or injuries. The AI uses this baseline to create an initial plan.
Unlike the static goal-setting of the past, the new system's core technical advantage is its dynamic adjustment capability. The AI continuously analyzes changing metrics, including training load, readiness scores, and sleep recovery data, to modify the user's wellness plan in real-time. This ensures that recommendations remain aligned with the user's current physical state and long-term objectives.
The redesigned app experience is being rolled out progressively. After an initial public preview for Android users in the US, access is expanding to iPhone users and Fitbit Premium subscribers in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. The functionality is compatible with recent Fitbit trackers and Google's Pixel Watch models.
Participation in the AI coaching experience is opt-in and requires a Fitbit Premium subscription, which is priced at $10 per month or $80 per year. During the preview phase, users have the ability to toggle between the old and new app designs, allowing for direct comparison without data loss.









