My Fitbit conspiracy theory

ellaenchanted · 09-06-19, 05:57 AM

So, I have been using Fitbit for years and always had great luck. I currently have two Altas (I bought another when i thought I lost the one i always wear but found again a couple of weeks later).

My usual Alta just died a few days ago and nothing g would charge. My backup wouldn't charge so i bought 2 new chargers from Fitbit since they quite cheap. My backup won't charge so I figure it is just done. I charge the backup and it works just fine. So, I decide to sync my back up with my phone but I needed to update the software in order to change settings such as the clock face. Fine. Well, now my backup is acting out. After being fully charged yesterday, it wouldn't light up when tapped. I put it on the charger and it was at 25% already. My charge always lasted a solid 5 days. Then, 10 minutes later it was at 80% and working normally again. But, I wonder if this one is going to crap out soon, too.

I noticed the Alta is actually discontinued and replaced with the Inspire. My conspiracy is that Fitbit software is rendering the Alta useless so people have to replace with the new product. Allegedly. It just seems like too much of a coincidence that both of my Altas started acting up at the same time.

I will go sit in the corner with my tinfoil hat now.

bubbles76 · 09-06-19, 06:06 AM

I wouldn't doubt it. Didn't Apple admit to doing something similar with their iPhones? That their new software would degrade the performance of the older iPhones? I know I'm going to hate shopping for a new phone when the time comes. I don't have an iPhone, I'm Android, but my phone is 9 years old.

Sweetsal · 09-06-19, 06:26 AM

Don’t even get me started on the demise of the One and the fact that there is no longer any clip-on model at all. I’m happy to say that mine is still working for now. I detest wearing a watch or anything like one and when my One bites the dust I probably just won’t track my steps anymore.

red1013 · 09-06-19, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetsal

Don’t even get me started on the demise of the One and the fact that there is no longer any clip-on model at all. I’m happy to say that mine is still working for now. I detest wearing a watch or anything like one and when my One bites the dust I probably just won’t track my steps anymore.

Ditto!

Usia · 09-06-19, 07:25 AM

My One just died back in March (after many years of service) and yes, there was nothing to replace it with that would also count stairs and that wasn't worn on the wrist. I have 4 floors in my house so that feature was important to me.

I have since purchased Apple Watch and I'm happy with it and all the other features it has, even though AW counts "flights" differently that doesn't correspond to the actual floors climbed. Maybe one of these days I'll look into how the "flights" are calculated. I love my AW though.

Pat58 · 09-06-19, 07:50 AM

I agree with you 100%. When my Alta HR dies I'm going to try to break the addiction. Customer service used to be great - my last experiences were dismal.

SuzieC · 09-06-19, 09:43 AM

There was a software update that ruined some devices, but I think that was limited to the Charge 2:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/fit...tery-1.5258511

My Charge 2 mysteriously died mid-August and I wonder if it was this update.
I didn't want to deal with CS so I got the Versa Lite as it was on special.

Nuggie's Auntie · 09-06-19, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetsal

Don’t even get me started on the demise of the One and the fact that there is no longer any clip-on model at all. I’m happy to say that mine is still working for now. I detest wearing a watch or anything like one and when my One bites the dust I probably just won’t track my steps anymore.

My One just died. I am learning to live without a tracker! I would have bought a new one, but since they have discontinued this model, I will simply do without. Their loss of a customer!

Vintage VFer · 09-06-19, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellaenchanted

So, I have been using Fitbit for years and always had great luck. I currently have two Altas (I bought another when i thought I lost the one i always wear but found again a couple of weeks later).

My usual Alta just died a few days ago and nothing g would charge. My backup wouldn't charge so i bought 2 new chargers from Fitbit since they quite cheap. My backup won't charge so I figure it is just done. I charge the backup and it works just fine. So, I decide to sync my back up with my phone but I needed to update the software in order to change settings such as the clock face. Fine. Well, now my backup is acting out. After being fully charged yesterday, it wouldn't light up when tapped. I put it on the charger and it was at 25% already. My charge always lasted a solid 5 days. Then, 10 minutes later it was at 80% and working normally again. But, I wonder if this one is going to crap out soon, too.

I noticed the Alta is actually discontinued and replaced with the Inspire. My conspiracy is that Fitbit software is rendering the Alta useless so people have to replace with the new product. Allegedly. It just seems like too much of a coincidence that both of my Altas started acting up at the same time.

I will go sit in the corner with my tinfoil hat now.

You said, "tinfoil hat!"

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09-06-19, 05:57 AM
ellaenchanted Join Date: Aug 2005	My Fitbit conspiracy theory So, I have been using Fitbit for years and always had great luck. I currently have two Altas (I bought another when i thought I lost the one i always wear but found again a couple of weeks later). My usual Alta just died a few days ago and nothing g would charge. My backup wouldn't charge so i bought 2 new chargers from Fitbit since they quite cheap. My backup won't charge so I figure it is just done. I charge the backup and it works just fine. So, I decide to sync my back up with my phone but I needed to update the software in order to change settings such as the clock face. Fine. Well, now my backup is acting out. After being fully charged yesterday, it wouldn't light up when tapped. I put it on the charger and it was at 25% already. My charge always lasted a solid 5 days. Then, 10 minutes later it was at 80% and working normally again. But, I wonder if this one is going to crap out soon, too. I noticed the Alta is actually discontinued and replaced with the Inspire. My conspiracy is that Fitbit software is rendering the Alta useless so people have to replace with the new product. Allegedly. It just seems like too much of a coincidence that both of my Altas started acting up at the same time. I will go sit in the corner with my tinfoil hat now.

09-06-19, 06:06 AM
bubbles76 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Jersey	I wouldn't doubt it. Didn't Apple admit to doing something similar with their iPhones? That their new software would degrade the performance of the older iPhones? I know I'm going to hate shopping for a new phone when the time comes. I don't have an iPhone, I'm Android, but my phone is 9 years old. __________________ "You humans have the potential to be the most wonderful beings there are - if you can get past all these enormous stupid spots you seem to have in your hearts. It's not your fault. You just don't know how to work your hearts right yet. That's why there are dogs." - Jim Butcher, Zoo Day

09-06-19, 06:26 AM
Sweetsal Join Date: Feb 2010	Don’t even get me started on the demise of the One and the fact that there is no longer any clip-on model at all. I’m happy to say that mine is still working for now. I detest wearing a watch or anything like one and when my One bites the dust I probably just won’t track my steps anymore.

09-06-19, 07:25 AM
Usia VF Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008	My One just died back in March (after many years of service) and yes, there was nothing to replace it with that would also count stairs and that wasn't worn on the wrist. I have 4 floors in my house so that feature was important to me. I have since purchased Apple Watch and I'm happy with it and all the other features it has, even though AW counts "flights" differently that doesn't correspond to the actual floors climbed. Maybe one of these days I'll look into how the "flights" are calculated. I love my AW though. __________________ Dana Avatar: Oliver!

09-06-19, 07:50 AM
Pat58 VF Supporter Join Date: May 2002 Location: Connecticut	I agree with you 100%. When my Alta HR dies I'm going to try to break the addiction. Customer service used to be great - my last experiences were dismal.

09-06-19, 09:43 AM
SuzieC Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Canada	There was a software update that ruined some devices, but I think that was limited to the Charge 2: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/fit...tery-1.5258511 My Charge 2 mysteriously died mid-August and I wonder if it was this update. I didn't want to deal with CS so I got the Versa Lite as it was on special.