Google launches Fitbit Air, a screen-free fitness tracker inspired by Whoop

Google has just unveiled the Fitbit Air, a screen-free fitness tracker designed around health and wellbeing monitoring. It takes clear inspiration from Whoop, a brand that is becoming increasingly popular with athletes.

If you are a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, you have probably seen at least one photograph or video of the footballer wearing an unusual screenless fitness tracker. It is a Whoop band, a device centred on health tracking whose defining feature is its emphasis on comfort and disconnecting, made possible by the lack of a display. Google is now offering a comparable product through its Fitbit brand. Called the Fitbit Air, this new Google tracker costs €99.99 and, according to the company, is so comfortable that users may no longer notice they are wearing it. The Fitbit Air is also subtler than a conventional smartwatch and, without a screen, lets people monitor their health and physical activity without distractions.

Fitbit Air health monitoring and battery life

Despite its deliberately simple appearance, the Fitbit Air contains an array of sensors. Google says it monitors heart rate and can warn users when atrial fibrillation is detected. The Fitbit Air also includes a SpO2 sensor for blood oxygen levels, while measuring other indicators such as resting heart rate, heart rate variability and sleep duration.

During exercise, users can start a session in the Google Health app, or simply begin being active: the Fitbit Air “will automatically detect and track common activities” to provide a workout summary. Battery life is another key benefit. Although the band records data 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Google claims the Fitbit Air can last for up to one week on a charge.

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A discreet device backed by powerful AI

The Fitbit Air is available to pre-order and will go on sale from 26 May. Google includes three months of Google Health Premium with the tracker, after which this option becomes chargeable. Alongside core capabilities such as fitness, sleep and health monitoring, the premium subscription gives access to additional benefits. These include a Gemini-based coach, a workout library, more detailed sleep insights and “mindfulness” sessions. Google Health Premium also produces proactive insights intended to help users improve their fitness.

Google positions Fitbit Air against Whoop

Because the Fitbit Air competes with Whoop, a brand linked with elite athletes including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lebron James, Google has also partnered with NBA player Stephen Curry. In terms of style, the tracker’s electronic unit can be removed, making it easy to change the colour or type of strap-for instance, swapping the silicone band for a more understated option.