- Google has rolled out its first Google Health upgrades following user backlash
- It includes improvements to food logging and activity accuracy
- Despite the 14 new upgrades, it still hasn’t scratched the surface for users
Ever since Google Health became the new app for Fitbit users, it’s been met with a tidal wave of criticism for its clunkiness and lack of vital features — but Google has rolled out a huge update after promising to make improvements a few weeks ago.
Yesterday (June 4) Google unveiled version 5.01 of the Google Health app, marking what 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 upgrades are designed to fix a number of pain points which users flagged when they first made the switch from the Fitbit app. In total, there are 14 new improvements split across four different categories, starting with nutrition.
Building the negative feedback to its food logging functions, Google has upgraded this tool allowing you to view and log previously-created custom foods, as well as improved handling when transferring food logs from third party apps like MyFitnessPal. Additionally, Google has added more explanations and guidance for setting your personal macronutrient goals, which also comes with a more accurate nutrition and calories charts.
Exercise tracking has been another persisting issue for Google Health users, particularly with tracking and labelling runs. Google says it’s now fixed this issue and new and previous workouts will now be labelled correctly. It’s also fixed an issue where users reported missing splits in their runs, and Google says these have been restored — as has the Sleep Score tab, which a handful of users reported had disappeared.
Google hasn’t just patched up its fitness tracking tools, but is also rolling out general app improvements, including one for your Today Tab on Android where users reported seeing out-of-date metrics. You can view the full list of Google Health’s new updates on Google’s support page.
Is this enough of a crowd-pleaser?
Given the level of ferocity expressed by users who’ve been forced to abandon the Fitbit app for Google’s new fitness platform, it’s a good thing that Google is acknowledging these issues — especially for those who have just purchased the new Google Fitbit Air . However, it turns out that the 14 new upgrades only scratch the surface.
Since Google announced version 5.01 users have stormed Reddit once more to air their thoughts — one user called the app “an utter downgrade from Fitbit”. At the same time, others have flagged more functions that are still missing from Google Health.
One user in particular expressed their dislike for Google Health’s thumbs up/ down icons which they say appear on every item in the homescreen. This is understandable, it’s not supposed to be like Strava where fitness meets social media. In addition to this, another user flagged that when they’re recording an activity in Google Health, they’re unable to use any other part of the app, which seems bewilderingly restrictive.
As Google said, version 5.01 is just the first stage in its plans to give the Google Health app an overhaul, but how long it’ll be before the next stage arrives we don’t know. That said, if Google doesn’t want Fitbit users to make the switch over to rivals like Garmin, it needs to make these changes sooner rather than later.
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rowan.davies@futurenet.com (Rowan Davies)
