Fitbit (and Google) has kept to its promise and brought support for Google Wallet to the Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 smartwatches. Several Fitbit smartwatches and trackers support Fitbit Pay, the manufacturer's contactless payment solution. With Fitbit Pay, users can access stored credit and debit cards to make payments at stores and transit systems in several regions of the world.
Now that Google owns Fitbit, certain Google features are being pushed to Fitbit wearables starting with the Sense 2 and Versa 4 smartwatches. It has kicked off with Google Wallet but will also bring Google Maps in the near future. Surprisingly, there is no mention of the Google Assistant coming to both watches, even though previous Fitbit watches supported the voice assistant. Instead, the Sense 2 and Versa 4 have Alexa built-in.
One of the features promised to be coming to the Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 smartwatches when they were announced in August was support for Google Wallet and Google Maps. Since both wearables are technically Google products, it wasn't a surprise. Now three months later, Fitbit has fulfilled half of that promise by bringing Google Wallet to the two wearables. This feature allows owners of the two watches to make "payments seamless," as a Fitbit blog post describes. The feature is already rolling out to both watches.
Two Payment Options
Google Wallet received a sort of relaunch or rebranding this year. While it technically replaces Google Pay, it now also serves as a digital wallet for digital IDs, including driver's licenses, just like Samsung Wallet. In addition, Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 users can make contactless payments anywhere Google Pay is accepted by accessing their stored credit or debit cards via the Google Wallet app on their watch.
Setting it up is easy for those who have never used Google Wallet. All they have to do is open the Fitbit app, tap the Google Wallet icon and set up their Google Wallet account. When done, adding a credit or debit card from a supported bank is simple. Fitbit says users will be requested to unlock their watches with a PIN whenever they put on their watch or right before the first transaction of the day. This is to prevent others from using the device to make purchases if it is lost or stolen. The arrival of Google Wallet provides a second option for owners as the watches also support Fitbit Pay which is Fitbit's version of Google Pay.
Fitbit says Google Maps is coming soon, but it doesn't say if it will arrive before the year ends. However, it does explain how the feature will work when it lands. First, the phone and watch will have to be connected via Bluetooth to use the feature. Then launch the Google Maps app on the phone and input the location they wish to go to. Next, start turn-by-turn navigation, and directions will automatically start on the watch. Finally, at the end of the commute, the device will display steps, Active Zone minutes, heart rate and other recorded stats.
Source: Fitbit