Android users are none too pleased with Nike for breaking its promise to develop a FuelBand app for the OS, and now Fitbit is making a well-timed bid to capitalize on that anger. The company today announced that it's bringing Bluetooth 4.0 syncing to its Android app, letting owners of the Fitbit One and Fitbit Zip transfer their latest fitness data to a smartphone on the go. Bluetooth 4.0 support is being limited to Samsung's Galaxy SIII and Galaxy Note II as of now, but Fitbit is promising that other devices will be added to the compatibility list soon.
"Our goal is to provide the best customer experience on the devices people want to use, whether you have an Android or iPhone smartphone, a computer or a tablet, or all of the above," said CEO James Park. That strategy differs with competitor Nike, which yesterday confirmed that — at least when it comes to FuelBand — it's concentrating development efforts on iOS and its Nike+ website. That stirred up fierce criticism among Android users, particularly after Nike had earlier claimed it was working to release a FuelBand app for the platform. Clearly Fitbit is eager to cater towards those disenchanted, fitness-minded consumers with today's news.
NFC support has also been added to the app in anticipation of Fitbit Flex, set to launch this spring. Users will be able to tap the company's latest tracker against an NFC-enabled device to launch the Android app and get an overview of their daily (and long-term) health goals.