Why the sudden change? The replace factors to newly imposed “regulatory necessities” from the EU as the explanation. In accordance with the assist web page the place the change was quietly introduced, EU Fitbit customers can have till June 2024 so as to add any third-party apps or clock faces earlier than that function is shut down.
What occurs after that? You’ll solely be capable of set up apps and clocks developed by Fitbit and Google. Nonetheless, in accordance with Android Authority, current third-party content material in your Fitbit will proceed to work after the deadline — you simply will not be capable of set up or obtain something new. It is usually essential to notice that U.S. customers are unaffected, as this variation is restricted to the E.U.
This alteration will influence quite a few common Fitbit smartwatches, reminiscent of:
- Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit Sense
- Fitbit Versa 4, Fitbit Versa 3, Fitbit Versa 2, Fitbit Versa Lite, Fitbit Versa
- Fitbit Ionic
In the meantime, the precise EU regulation fueling this shift isn’t cited in Google’s announcement, so it’s troublesome to say the precise motive(s) why that is taking place. It leaves us questioning if it is a consequence of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) or another regulatory framework Google should adhere to.This transfer does elevate quite a few questions concerning the consumer expertise for Fitbit customers in Europe, and extra importantly, is that this an indication of extra restrictive tech laws coming from the EU sooner or later? For now, all we will advise you on is to promptly obtain as many third celebration apps and clock faces as you suppose you might want for the longer term, earlier than this restriction goes into impact.
