Subj : 'Your watch now supports dynamic GPS'. Here's what Fitbit smartwa
To   : All
From : TechnologyDaily
Date : Thu Jun 29 2023 13:00:03

'Your watch now supports dynamic GPS'. Here's what Fitbit smartwatch users 
need to know about this new feature

Date:
Thu, 29 Jun 2023 11:48:55 +0000

Description:
Fitbit's latest smartwatch update adds battery-saving 'dynamic GPS' 
technology.

FULL STORY
======================================================================

The best Fitbit devices received a number of new features with Googles latest 
software update, and the Versa 4 and Sense 2 got one that's particularly 
interesting: a new battery-extending dynamic GPS feature. 

The way the feature works is simple: when you start a run, cycle or other 
GPS-led workout on your Fitbit Sense 2 or Fitbit Versa 4 , the watch starts 
using its built-in GPS to record your efforts, as normal. However, if your 
phone is nearby, the dynamic GPS will stop recording on your watch and switch 
to using your phones own GPS to monitor your workouts. 

At the end of the workout, your best Fitbit will combine the data it collects 
on-watch with the GPS information from your phone. Using your phone's GPS 
rather than your smartwatch's means the watch consumes less power during 
workout monitoring than it otherwise would, so you wont need to take it off 
to charge it as frequently. 

For those of you who like to run with your phone on you, this is great news. 
Its less of a boon if you choose to run without a phone  after all, thats 
part of the joy of having a watch with built-in GPS and Spotify  but its nice 
to have the option. 

Other features coming to the Fitbit Versa 4 and Fitbit Sense 2 with the 
latest update (version 194.61, if anyones counting) include options to see 
certain stats on-watch rather than simply in the app, such as menstrual 
health tracking and your Daily Readiness Score. 

To update your device and get access to these new features, tap the Today tab 
in the Fitbit app, select your device image, and hit the pink update button. 
Analysis: the Fitbit community is still getting support (Image credit: 
Fitbit) 

While this new GPS-switching feature mostly happens in the background, its 
very useful. Even though I have access to some of the best running watches 
with built-in music storage, I still run with my phone for all sorts of 
reasons. Maybe Im going to the nearby deer park and might stop to snap a few 
pics, or (as an asthma sufferer) I might need to call someone if my lungs 
decide to throw a tantrum. 

Either way, I always welcome Google supporting Fitbit and adding new 
features, rather than taking them away. After Group Challenges and on-board 
music storage were disabled for Fitbits , many thought dedicated Fitbit 
devices were being left to die, with Google shifting all its efforts to the 
Google Pixel Watch . 

Its nice to know that Google intends to support Fitbit and continues to 
provide the Fitbit community (well, whats left of it) with new features and 
tools like dynamic GPS. Accessing more information on your watch, such as 
your Daily Readiness Score, is great too, allowing the Fitbit watches to keep 
up with Garmins Morning Reports. 

My training readiness features on my Garmin watch recently helped me get over 
a terrible week of sleep , and I might still be in the doldrums if my watch 
hadnt tipped me off.



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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/smartwatches/your-watch-now-supports-
dynamic-gps-heres-what-fitbit-smartwatch-users-need-to-know-about-this-new-fea
ture


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