Android Police Reviewer Notes 3 Missing Features in Fitbit Air
Switching to the Fitbit Air and Missing Apple Watch Features
In a product assessment published by Android Police, a reviewer detailed their transition from an Apple Watch to the screenless Fitbit Air, noting three distinct capabilities left behind during the hardware swap. While the Fitbit Air addresses common smartwatch complaints by offering a physical module measuring 35 x 17 x 8.3mm, a seven-day battery life, and 50-meter water resistance, the writer points out that ditching a full display comes with distinct compromises in workout tracking and media control.
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The Tech TL;DR:
- The reviewer abandoned the Apple Watch for the Fitbit Air to escape constant notifications and frequent battery charging.
- Three missing features—manual lap tracking, direct music controls, and built-in GPS—require keeping a smartphone nearby during outdoor workouts.
- Adding these features via physical inputs or low-power GNSS chips could elevate the screenless tracker without violating its core design identity.
Missing Lap Tracking and the Case for a Physical Side Button
For runners tracking intervals and distance, the lack of an easy input method on the Fitbit Air creates a workflow bottleneck. The reviewer noted that their primary cardio routine involves morning neighborhood or park runs to burn fat while measuring lap times. On the Apple Watch, users can double-tap the screen or press the side button to mark laps instantly. Without a screen or physical buttons on the Fitbit Air, users cannot log laps or timing mid-run, even through the Google Health companion application.
To solve this without adding a distracting display, the reviewer proposes integrating a physical side button. A short press paired with a vibration confirmation could mark lap intervals, while a long press could pause or resume workouts. This physical input mechanism would mirror familiar hardware interactions:
// Conceptual mapping for a screenless fitness tracker side button
input_event {
single_press: "mark_lap_interval",
double_press: "skip_audio_track",
triple_press: "repeat_audio_track",
long_press: "pause_resume_workout"
}
Audio Playback Management Without a Display Interface
Beyond tracking intervals, managing phone-based media while in motion presents an ongoing friction point. Because the Fitbit Air operates as a screenless device, listening to music or podcasts requires pulling out a smartphone to skip, play, or pause tracks. This action disrupts the physical momentum built over a multi-mile run.
The reviewer suggests that the proposed side button could function similarly to gestures on True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbuds. A single press would handle play and pause functions, a double press would skip tracks, and a triple press would repeat them, all backed by haptic vibration feedback. Purists might avoid enabling these auxiliary controls, but the addition would streamline training sessions for users who rely on rhythm and pacing.
Hardware Constraints of Omitted Built-In GPS
True device independence remains constrained by the absence of onboard positioning hardware. While modern low-power GNSS chips operate efficiently for on-demand outdoor tracking, the Fitbit Air ships without built-in GPS. Outdoor runners and hikers must carry their smartphones to capture accurate route and distance data, forcing a reliance on step-based distance estimates if the phone is left behind.
The reviewer acknowledges that integrating GNSS functionality would introduce a minor battery life penalty. However, for users prioritizing untethered outdoor training, the trade-off remains worthwhile, particularly if the feature can be toggled off to preserve the tracker’s seven-day battery baseline.