The new Google Pixel watch might be the next-gen Fitbit we’ve been waiting for

Google’s smartwatch could be the fitness tracker of your dreams

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Googleisplanning to release its first branded smartwatchnext year, according to inside sources – and it might actually be aFitbit.

Business Insider, which first broke the story, claims that there are no currently no plans for the the new watch to carry theFitbitbrand, but other hints suggest otherwise. Most significantly, a source speaking toThe Vergeclaimed that the new smartwatch (currently codenamed Rohan) would cost more than the current line ofFitbit devices– an odd comparison to make if there’s no connection.

Fitbit’s current lineup of devices start at $299.99 / £279.99 / AU$449.95, and a higher price tag would make sense for a new more premium device – and that’s something we’ve been expecting for quite a while.

A true Fitbit smartwatch

First, a little background. Googleannounced that it was acquiring Fitbita year ago, andcompleted the dealin early 2021. The two companies kept the details of the partnership quiet for several months, but at the2021 Google IO eventin May, they revealed a few interesting developments.

Firstly, Google announced that it would be bringing certain Fitbit features toWear OS. Wear OS already has a fitness app, but the company explained that Fitbit integration would add features like goal celebrations when you hit a step target. It could allow you to sync your health and workout data seamlessly with the Fitbit app (very handy if you want to switch between devices)

More interestingly, Fitbit CEO James Park announced that the two companies were also working together ona ‘premium’ Fitbit smartwatch running Wear OS.

That would be a big change for Fitbit. While the Sense and Versa lines are advertised as smartwatches, they’re much more limited than the likes of anApple Watch,Samsung Galaxy Watch, orTicwatch Pro. Not only do they have less powerful processors and less internal storage, there’s only a small selection of third-party apps available in the Fitbit Gallery – and almost all of those on offer are either fitness tools or simple games.

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In short, while they’re excellent for tracking health and workouts, the Versa 3 and Sense just aren’t as versatile as a ‘true’ smartwatch. You certainly can’t use them to reply to emails, or navigate usingGoogle Maps– until now.

Getting a head start

The imminent launch of a Fitbit smartwatch would also explain why the company has been pouring so much effort and investment into its paid subscription service over recent months.

Fitbit Premiumhas undergone some big upgrades this year, with new features includingguided meditation sessions with Deepak Chopra,workouts guided by Will Smith, and aReadiness Scorethat tells you how much energy you have for the day ahead.Sleep Animalsis another new feature coming soon, and will offer personalized guidance to help improve your nightly recovery based on patterns and habits.

We can only hypothesize at the moment, but bundling all this premium content in with a Fitbit-branded smartwatch could make it a much more tempting proposition and give Google’s new wearable a head start over rivals like theApple Watch, which requires a separate monthly payment for itsApple Fitness Plusservice.

We’ll be keeping a close eye out for more news on project Rohan, and will bring you more news as soon as we have it. Details of Fitbit devices rarely leak far in advance, but renders of both theFitbit Charge 5and theFitbit Ace 3appeared ahead of their launches, so it’s possible that extra details may emerge before any official announcements.

Cat is TechRadar’s Homes Editor specializing in kitchen appliances and smart home technology. She’s been a tech journalist for 15 years, and is here to help you choose the right devices for your home and do more with them. When not working she’s a keen home baker, and makes a pretty mean macaron.

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