Fitbit’s Gemini-powered watch could be the powerhouse Google’s smart glasses need

AI for health and fitness is one of the most alarming — and one of the most promising — things I can think of. In the last few days, it’s been more of the latter. I wear google New Fitbit Air Tracker and get an early trial version of Google Healthwhich replaces the Fitbit app but adds the Gemini layer.

However, is it any wonder that a lightweight, screenless 24/7 tracker with a built-in trainer makes me think of smart glasses?

Of course it is, she says. Scott, you think about smart glasses all the time. Especially now, when Google is expected to release the full version Smart glasses line From its eyewear partners sometime this year. We’ll hear more about it in Google I/O developer conference In a few days.

Technology and AI-powered smart devices are putting pressure on every basic activity in our lives. When used in health applications, AI can extract large amounts of data collected hourly, which can seem incredibly helpful or intrusive…or just plain annoying. It’s also a sign of how data-hungry tech companies are trying to absorb and aggregate all aspects of us at once.

It would make a lot of sense to check my Fitbit stats and get fitness summaries about the upcoming Google Glass, and not just on my phone. Gemini’s generative AI, which summarizes my health and fitness progress and can quickly chat with me in the new Google Health app, would be a better fitness companion on glasses. This is where I imagine Google is headed next.

Fitness and glasses are already a thing

Let’s look at Meta for a counter example. Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta company has geared its wearables division directly toward the fitness lifestyle audience, particularly via Oakley-branded eyewear. Meta Oakley VanguardsReleased last fall, they are designed specifically for active sports. Meta has partnered with Garmin to sync fitness data as well.

But Mita’s fitness abilities are limited at best. Garmin doesn’t sync with Meta AI, and fitness stats don’t happen in the glasses as often as you might expect.

Google has a big advantage here, called Gemini. With Fitbit now streaming into Gemini’s Google Health app with a health coach that requires a subscription, it makes sense that camera, display, and audio-enabled Google Glass would draw from the same well of interconnected data.

Even if the Fitbit branding is fading in the new Google Health app, Fitbit’s positioning as A leader in wearable devices since 2009 New fitness-targeted eyewear can give a unique edge.

Gemini is the bridge to wearables from Google, Fitbit, and more

My early impressions of Google Health’s Gemini coach are sometimes odd. I don’t know what to ask or how to proceed. But I like being able to see expanded summaries of data – sleep, rest, trends or whatever. I can order it on the go, or set goals during runs or workouts.

The pieces are all there. Now Google just needs to tie all this into its upcoming phone-connected glasses. This is exactly what I expect will happen at Google I/O, or soon after.

Meta already has a big footprint in smart glasses, while Google will have to attract people. Warby Parker and Gentle Monster can definitely help. Google has already had a huge win in the fitness space with Fitbit, which it has owned for the past five years. Knowing that its glasses are compatible with Fitbit may be enough to encourage some athletes to jump on board.

Or will the challenge be greater than that? Google’s acquisition of Fitbit and the removal of the Fitbit app entirely may alienate original Fitbit fans who feel like Google has pulled the rug out from under them. Will Google find a way to showcase the Fitbit experience in other ways, on glasses, in Gemini, or elsewhere? Can she capitalize on the fitness experience she already has?

We’ll know more soon enough. Google Glass seems capable of powering every piece of Gemini that runs on our phones, including health. This alone could give her the advantage, making the Meta quickly feel the need to catch up.