According to Android Authority, Google is preparing to expand the Public Preview program for its redesigned Fitbit app to include free users, not just Premium subscribers. This redesign was first announced alongside the Pixel Watch 4 in August 2025 and began its initial rollout in late October. The key feature of this update is an AI-powered personal health coach called “Ask Coach.” However, the report indicates this specific AI feature is likely to remain exclusive to Fitbit Premium subscribers, even as the new app interface itself becomes more widely available.
The Premium Wall Remains
So, free users might get a fresh coat of paint, but the real engine—the AI coach—stays in the garage unless you pay up. This is classic Google, and frankly, classic Fitbit. They’ve been wrestling with this balance for years: how much do you give away for free to build a user base, and what do you lock behind a subscription to actually make money? The hardware business is tough, so the recurring software revenue from Premium is the holy grail. But here’s the thing: does this move actually make the free tier more valuable, or does it just highlight what you’re missing? It feels a bit like getting access to a fancy new gym but being told you can only use the locker room, not the equipment.
A Skeptical Look at “Ask Coach”
Let’s talk about this “Ask Coach” AI. Google is betting big on AI for everything, but I’m skeptical about its real-world utility in health and fitness. We’ve seen AI wellness chatbots come and go, often offering generic, safely bland advice. Will this be meaningfully different, or just a more conversational way to get the same “get more sleep” and “drink water” tips? The risk is that they gatekeep a feature that ends up being more of a novelty than a necessity. If the AI isn’t genuinely insightful and personalized, keeping it behind the Premium paywall could backfire, making the subscription seem even less worthwhile. People might just ask ChatGPT for free instead.
The Broader Google-Fitbit Strategy
This slow, tiered rollout also tells us something about Google’s confidence—or lack thereof. They’re using the “Public Preview” label as a safety net. If the new app has bugs or gets poor feedback, they can blame it on the “preview” status. It’s a cautious approach, which is probably smart, but it also means the unified, polished experience is still a ways off for everyone. And we can’t ignore the history: Google has a graveyard of abandoned apps and services. Fitbit users, especially those who bought into the ecosystem years ago, have every right to be wary of grand redesigns and new AI promises. The real test is whether this creates a cohesive health platform under Google or just becomes another fragmented experiment.
