Google introduces Fitbit Air $99 band

Google introduced the Fitbit Air on May 7 as a $99.99 screenless fitness band that shifts most of the user experience from the wrist to a phone app. The device is Google’s smallest Fitbit tracker, according to the company, and it arrives alongside a rebrand of the Fitbit app into Google Health. Google said the band is built for continuous tracking rather than on-device notifications, with heart rate, sleep and workout data flowing into the app. The launch also ties the hardware closely to Google Health Coach, an AI feature built with Gemini that becomes publicly available on May 19 as part of a paid subscription. ### Why did Google remove the screen? Google said the Fitbit Air is meant to “sit silently on your wrist” and avoid the interruptions associated with smartwatch-style displays. The company described the device as a screenless tracker designed for 24/7 wear, with users checking metrics and recommendations in the Google Health app instead of on the band itself. (blog.google) Tech Advisor said that design puts the Air in direct competition with Whoop’s strap-style wearables, which also skip an on-device display and focus on passive data collection. The publication said both products are intended to be worn discreetly and interacted with mainly when charging. (blog.google) ### What does the $99.99 price actually include? Google Store listed the Fitbit Air at $99.99 for the standard version, with a Stephen Curry Special Edition priced at $129. Google also said each Fitbit Air includes a three-month trial of Google Health Premium. May 19 is the date Google set for wider public availability of Google Health Coach through Google Health Premium. (techadvisor.com) Google said Premium starts at $9.99 per month or $99 per year, and that the service is also bundled with Google AI Pro and Ultra tiers. Tech Advisor said the pricing gives Google a different pitch from Whoop, whose subscription tiers start at $199 per year in the U.S. (blog.google) The publication said Fitbit Air’s one-time $99.99 hardware cost makes it the lower-priced option for buyers with stricter budgets. ### What does Fitbit Air track? (blog.google) Google said the band tracks 24/7 heart rate, steps, active zone minutes, distance and calories burned. The company also listed SpO2, heart rate variability, breathing rate, skin temperature variation, resting heart rate and heart rhythm monitoring for signs of atrial fibrillation while a user is still or sleeping. (techadvisor.com) Sleep is a central part of the product pitch. Google said Fitbit Air provides Sleep Score, sleep stages, cardio load and a readiness score, and the company framed the device as a tool for recovery and daily guidance rather than quick wrist glances. Yahoo Tech reported that Google also says the band can automatically track workouts, activity and sleep, and that its sleep score algorithm is 15% more accurate than previous models. (blog.google) ### How much of the product depends on AI? Google said Fitbit Air was “designed with the Google Health Coach in mind,” with sensor data feeding personalized recommendations inside the Google Health app. The company described the coach as a fitness trainer, sleep coach and general wellness adviser that adapts to a user’s data and goals. (store.google.com) Yahoo Tech reported that users can chat with the coach for advice on workouts and sleep. Google Store said Premium subscribers can ask personalized health questions and receive science-backed answers and adaptive fitness plans built with Gemini. ### When can buyers get one? Google said pre-orders are already open through the Google Store. (blog.google) The store listing says the Fitbit Air will be available on May 26, and the Stephen Curry Special Edition promotion shown on the page runs through May 25. May 26 is also the shipping date cited by outside coverage following the launch. (store.google.com) Google’s next step is the public rollout of Google Health Coach on May 19, followed by retail availability of the Fitbit Air starting May 26 at $99.99 for the standard version. (blog.google)