- Google has released its first Google Health updates after user reaction
- Includes improvements to food logging and activity accuracy.
- Despite 14 new updates, it still hasn’t scratched the surface for users.
Since Google Health became the new app for Fitbit users, it has received a wave of criticism for its clunkiness and lack of vital features, but Google released a big update after promising to make improvements a few weeks ago.
Yesterday (June 4) Google introduced version 5.01 of the Google Health app, which the company says will be “the first of many improvements to come.” The update will continue to roll out over the next week in phases and will depend on your carrier and device type, Google says.
The new updates are designed to address a number of pain points that users pointed out when they first made the switch from the Fitbit app. In total, there are 14 new improvements divided into four different categories, starting with nutrition.
Taking advantage of negative feedback about its food logging features, Google has updated this tool that allows you to view and log pre-created custom foods, as well as improved handling when transferring food logs from third-party apps like MyFitnessPal. Additionally, Google has added more explanation and guidance for setting your personal macronutrient goals, which also comes with more accurate nutrition and calorie tables.
Exercise tracking has been another persistent issue for Google Health users, particularly with tracking and tagging runs. Google says it has now fixed this issue and new and old workouts will now be labeled correctly. An issue where users reported missing splits in their runs was also fixed, and Google says these have been restored, as has the Sleep Score tab, which a handful of users reported missing.
Not only has Google improved its fitness tracking tools, it’s also rolling out general improvements to the app, including one for the Today tab on Android, where users reported seeing outdated metrics. You can see the full list of new Google Health updates on the Google support page.
Is this enough to please the public?
Given the level of ferocity expressed by users who have been forced to abandon the Fitbit app for Google’s new fitness platform, it’s good that Google is acknowledging these issues, especially for those who just purchased the new Google Fitbit Air. However, it turns out that the 14 new updates only scratch the surface.
Since Google announced version 5.01, users have taken to Reddit once again to express their thoughts, with one user calling the app “a total downgrade from Fitbit.” At the same time, others have pointed out more features that are still missing from Google Health.
One user in particular expressed his distaste for the Google Health thumbs up/down icons that he says appear on every element of the home screen. This is understandable, it’s not supposed to be like Strava where fitness meets social media. In addition to this, another user pointed out that when you log an activity in Google Health, you can’t use any other part of the app, which seems disconcertingly restrictive.
As Google said, version 5.01 is just the first stage of its plans to overhaul the Google Health app, but we don’t know how long it will be before the next stage arrives. That said, if Google doesn’t want Fitbit users to switch to rivals like Garmin, it needs to make these changes as soon as possible.
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