Fitbit tests “Walkmate”: Personalized program to motivate walkers،
About three years ago, Google made a splash by acquiring Fitbit, a brand known for its wearable technology primarily focused on activity trackers and smartwatches. These gadgets have become a must-have for people wanting to keep tabs on their health and fitness journey.
According to 9to5Google, Fitbit is currently in the testing phase of a program or study called “Walkmate”. This initiative spans two months and uses personalized daily notifications to encourage individuals to walk more and maintain an active lifestyle.
Once signed up for Walkmate, participants can expect to receive a single notification from the Fitbit app daily, prompting them to think about and plan their walk. Fitbit will work behind the scenes to track daily steps and Active Zone Minutes (AZM) data, allowing users to monitor the impact of their chosen strategy over time.
As part of the onboarding process, participants will complete a survey to provide Fitbit with insight into the factors that may influence their physical activity level. This program is open to people who walk an average of less than 8,000 steps per day.
To become part of Walkmate, launch the Fitbit app and tap the Steps card. The map will display the Google Health Studies logo, indicating that researchers will use this data to understand people's preferred behavioral strategies, how long they stick with them, and the overall impact on their walking habits over time.
Once you sign up, you'll see a “Walk Mate” card easily appear on your Today feed. This new feature is added to the mix alongside generic “Travel Reminders” notifications.
In recent developments, Fitbit has released an update for its Android app, bringing it to version 4.06. This latest update brings a nice addition: a feature that allows users to manually enter their body temperature readings using their personal thermometer.
