Fitbit Rolls Out Cortana Integration & Background Sync for Windows Phone

Fitbit has rolled out major update to its Fitbit app for Windows Phone 8.1, letting consumers log their activity and food logging using Cortana. Its compatible with all their health trackers including the just-announced Fitbit Charge™, Fitbit Charge HR™ and Fitbit Surge™ activity trackers.

The last release was pretty basic with sync feature, and stats check. With this update, Fitbit is positioning the app to deliver native experience and their commitment for the ecosystem.

Here is the full set of change log

Cortana: You can speak to Cortana to log the long range of 350,000 foods in the Fitbit database. Good thing they are easy, just say “Fitbit, I ate lasagna for dinner” or “Fitbit, I had a coffee with breakfast.” You can also create alarms using Cortana.

Background Sync and Push Notifications: Users can now experience background syncing and push notifications for Challenges, messages, progress updates and more

Fitbit Challenges: Fitbit Challenges are now availble with the app with a dedicated screen. You can directly compete with up to 10 friends and family to help meet and beat goals in new competitions, including Daily Showdown, Workweek Hustle and Weekend Warrior

MobileTrack: If you forget your Fitbit at home or your Fitbit battery has run out, the app can sync the Motion Data availble on devices like the Lumia 630, 1520, 730 and 830 to take into the account.

New Language Support: Initially available worldwide in English, the Fitbit app for Windows Phone now offers French, German, Italian and Spanish languages

** The update is being rolled out. If you don’t see it yet, launch the Store and force check for updates, and you should have it.

Future Roadmap

Fitbit is pretty serious about Windows Phone, and their partnership with Microsoft has great plans ahead. Here is the list of features, we will see coming up with next or future updates. Lookout for target dates for each update.

Additional Cortana Functionality: Activity logging and the ability to enable exercise mode, all through voice commands (December 2014)

Support for New Fitbit Products: Support for Fitbit Charge HR and Fitbit Surge, as well as heart rate tracking, will be live once these products are available

Windows App: Windows 8.1 desktop, laptop and tablet users will experience a new Fitbit app for Windows 8.1, completely remade with a new design and better functionality.Features will include manual logging of activities, food, sleep, weight and water, as well as Challenges (November 2014)

MobileRun: Windows Phone 8.1 users can access MobileRun, which uses GPS to track, log and compare workouts. The feature also offers real-time updates while running, as well as voice cues delivering stats and providing extra encouragement to meet goals while exercising (December 2014)

Additional Languages: Windows Phone users will have Korean, Japanese and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) languages (November 2014)

Overall I have loved the update