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What you need to know
- Google is rolling out v5.11 of the Health app to Android and iOS users, rolling out the expected Health Guardian update for the Fitbit Air.
- Fitbit Air users receive Blood Pressure and Insulin Resistance trends in this update, which requires them to wear the tracker for several days before insights are available.
- What’s more, v5.11 updates automatic tracking for Fitbit Air and several Pixel Watches, as well as sleep tracking updates and Glucose.
Google Health is rolling out a late October update that finally adds a major feature for Fitbit Air users.
This feature aims to be your “Health Guardian.” In a community post, Google detailed what Fitbit Air users will find in v5.11, which is rolling out on Android and iOS. Health Guardian isn’t a new feature, per se; however, it is something new that Fitbit Air users can finally experience. If you are a Health Premium subscriber, you will be able to “set up the new features in app version 5.11 and receive your first monthly health summary at the beginning of November.”
Health Guardian introduces Blood Pressure and Insulin Resistance trends. Regarding the former, Google reminds us that Blood Pressure trends let you track changes that could “put strain on your heart.” If you’ve worn your Fitbit Air for five days or more, you’ll find this info listed in the app. Insulin Resistance trends highlight “monthly shifts” in your metabolic well-being. Insights for this require users to wear the Fitbit Air for seven days or more.
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While this feature is rolling out now for the Fitbit Air, Google states Fitbit Edge users can expect it on/around October 27.
Watch On
Aside from the Health Guardian, Google is rolling out three additional updates in v5.11. Automatic activity tracking takes a step forward, as Google improves its context (i.e., it uses your routines and history better). Workouts that meet the minimum duration threshold (15 mins or more) are automatically logged so long as it captured a sustained elevated heart rate. Fitbit trackers and Pixel watches can also automatically detect up to 100 activities in v.5.11.
Glucose tracking has been renamed to “Glucose” across the Health app. Google states it upgraded the link between the app and Lingo by Abbott for faster syncing. What’s more, sleep tracking gets a little TLC. Google says it improved devices’ ability to capture “awake detection” and made it easy for users to edit their naps.
Many of these updates are rolling out for the Fitbit Air and the Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5. The automatic tracking update is coming to Fitbit Edge users; however, that should begin on October 27, like Health Guardian.
It takes time to understand
You might remember Health Guardian from an update Google shared in September. Originally, Google announced Blood Pressure, Insulin Resistance, and sleep breathing quality tracking for the Pixel Watch. These were all wrapped in a Health Guardian blanket. Google said the purpose of these features is to analyze “long-term” pattern changes over several weeks.
This differs from the more expected “in-the-moment” snapshots of what’s going on. Google states these insights can serve as “wellness indicators instead of direct medical diagnostic tools.” These features are available for free for Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5; however, we already knew Fitbit Air users would need to pay for it via a Health Premium subscription.