In a shocking transfer, Google introduced that will probably be eradicating all third-party apps and clock faces from the Fitbit App Gallery for customers within the European Financial Space (EEA) beginning in June 2024. This resolution has left many Fitbit customers in Europe disgruntled and looking for solutions.
Right here’s a screenshot of the announcement in full.
Why is Google eradicating third-party apps?
The announcement from the corporate is pretty obscure, and the particular causes are usually not explicitly said. Maybe it’s to do with extra stringent privateness legal guidelines on the continent. Or the transfer is likely to be linked to the European Union’s rising scrutiny of tech giants and their management over app ecosystems.
The EU has been actively pushing for extra open platforms and elevated competitors, which could conflict with Google’s closed ecosystem strategy for Fitbit gadgets. Moderately than complying with potential necessities to open up the platform, Google might have opted to take away third-party apps altogether. For the time being it isn’t clear as to the explanations for the choice.
What does this imply for Fitbit customers?
So what does this imply for you? If you happen to stay within the US or different nations exterior Europe, its enterprise as common. So, no change.
Nonetheless, if you’re on the continent, then:
- No new third-party apps: After June 2024, European Fitbit customers will now not be capable of obtain and set up new third-party apps or clock faces from the App Gallery.
- Current apps stay purposeful: Apps and clock faces already put in in your Fitbit system will proceed to perform, a minimum of for the foreseeable future.
- Restricted to Fitbit and Google Apps: Customers can be restricted to the collection of apps and clock faces developed by Fitbit and Google themselves.
Potential workarounds
Some customers have speculated about potential workarounds, equivalent to utilizing a VPN to masks their location and entry the App Gallery as in the event that they had been in a non-EEA nation. Nonetheless, it’s unclear how Fitbit will implement this restriction and whether or not it can solely depend on IP addresses or implement different measures.
Important studying: High health trackers and well being devices
One other uncertainty revolves across the Google Pixel Watch vary. Whereas Google’s announcement explicitly mentions Fitbit gadgets, it stays unclear whether or not the Pixel Watch, which runs on Put on OS, may even be affected by this resolution.
As of now, Fitbit customers in Europe have till June 2024 to obtain and set up any desired third-party apps. So get in fast and obtain your favourites. Google and Fitbit haven’t but supplied additional particulars on the particular laws prompting this transfer or the way forward for third-party app integration.
Like this text? Subscribe to our month-to-month publication and by no means miss out!