The hardware design of the Fitbit Air is quite straightforward, but there are two features that aren’t particularly obvious until you start wearing the wearable.
All the hardware is housed in what Google refers to as the “pebble.” (Note: This is not the first time Fitbit has used that name for the core component of its fitness trackers.)
Left vs. right edge
The left edge of this pebble has a status light, with bands featuring a hole for it to shine through. As such, there is a specific orientation you have to keep in mind when changing straps (emphasis ours):
- Remove the device: Hold the outside edges of the band next to where the device sits.
- Pop it out: Push firmly on top of the device to pop the device out of its current band.
- Switch it up: Press the device into your new band until it snaps into place. Make sure the small alignment markings on the band and tracker line up.
Firmly double tap the top of the tracker to confirm you can see the LED light flash.
- Note: If you don’t see the LED light, you may need to repeat steps 1-3 and rotate the tracker in the wristband, making sure to line up the small alignment markings.
Besides aiding alignment, that LED has four light patterns:
Light patternDescription: The device is…Pulsing white lightCharging.Flashing red lightRunning low on battery.Fast blinking white lightUpdating firmware.Solid red lightRunning critically low on battery.
“Firmly” double-tapping the Fitbit Air wakes the status light:
- White light: Your device is working and the battery level is between 20% and 100%.
- Red light: Your battery level is below 20%. Charge your device soon.
- No light: Device is off or out of battery.
That gesture is also used to silence Smart Wake and one-off alarms that you set inside the Google Health app.
Meanwhile, Fitbit Air demo units are already in the ten US Google Stores, including the newest location that opened on Friday, which has led to size comparisons with Whoop. Google’s hardware is noticeably narrower.
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