Don’t you hate when you are perfectly happy with a product and the next thing you know, the company changes it? Sure, some people struggle with change. I attempt to embrace it.

But, like numerous longtime Fitbit users, I was not happy with recent changes made by Google who bought Fitbit in 2021. So, I made the switch to Garmin. Now, I’m dealing with learning a new device.

The Fitbit Journey

I purchased my first Fitbit in 2015. It became an integral part of my health journey, which included my annual 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk for the Cure.

Like any technology you’re trying for the first time, I encountered some hiccups. But soon I hit my stride (WARNING: shameless puns may occur). I loved my Fitbit.

Enter Google

The once small company’s explosive revenue growth had Alphabet Inc. (parent company of Google) knocking at the door with a deal valued at $2.1 billion U.S. dollars.

• How many times have you seen the giants come in and destroy a good thing?
• Was history going to repeat itself?
• At first, it was quiet – then wham!

Fitbit status quo remained pretty much the same. But gradually, changes began creeping in.

• The simple sleep graph had an unannounced, not so user-friendly, new look.
• Fitbit’s desktop dashboard was eliminated leaving only the mobile app.
• Activity editing (such as start/end time, steps, etc.) was also wiped out.

Google made changes without warning or subsequent instructions. Even Google’s own customer service representatives did not know about them.

One of the features of Fitbit I liked was the community of Fitbit users. I found them friendly and kindred souls. In the beginning, the company was pretty good with representatives stepping in to help users with their issues.

But despite several Community pages of complaints regarding the latest changes, no one from Google provided any insight. Trust me. No one likes the feeling of being ignored.

My Fitbit/Google Customer Service Experience

After jumping through several troubleshooting hoops over the activity editing, the Google representative said he would speak with Technical Support. He later advised he learned that they had indeed eliminated the editing capabilities.

• This was a representative from their X/Twitter account.
• I already had gone through the online Chat with similar results.

Google, here’s a thought. It’s bad enough you don’t let users know about the changes, but don’t you think you should let your own representatives know?

Garmin to the Rescue?

The Fitbit device I replaced was the Versa 3 (they have a Version 4 now). I did a lot of research and landed on the Garmin Vivoactive 5 GPS Smartwatch. Apple’s device is too rich for my blood.

• Best Buy kept bugging me for a review, so I finally caved.
• I felt it was too early as I only made the purchase about four weeks ago.
• Below is a screenshot of my review (or click on link for tiny print-impaired folks like me).
• You decide if it’s worth tracking (there’s another nasty pun). 🙂

Walk on!

As I said in my Garmin review, I hope continued use will smooth out the rough spots of this latest transition. But one thing I know for sure, no technology tool is going to stop me from keeping this Old Lady Walking. Walk on!

Do you have a favorite tracking device?