Google Added New Health Features to Fitbit Air
The company introduced improved workout detection and advanced health monitoring capabilities to its wearable device.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Asthma
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Google has expanded the functionality of the Fitbit Air with three new health features, including tools for tracking heart rhythms and insulin resistance. The company also announced the release of the new Fitbit Edge alongside these updates.
Why it matters
These additions integrate advanced AI models into consumer wearables to provide users with more detailed insights into their physical activity and long-term health trends. The updates aim to increase data accuracy while offering broader monitoring capabilities for conditions like irregular heart rhythms.
The new features include sleep breathing quality tracking for users aged 18 and older and insulin resistance estimation via Pixel Watch 3 and Fitbit Air sensors. Google Health Premium subscription remains priced at $10 monthly or $100 yearly.
The players
Google is a global technology corporation that develops the Android operating system and a wide range of hardware products including the Pixel and Fitbit lines.
Fitbit Air
The Fitbit Air is a wearable fitness tracker first released in 2026 that integrates various health monitoring sensors and software features.
Fitbit Edge
The Fitbit Edge is a new wearable device announced by Google in October 2026.
The details
The update introduces Health Guardian to monitor heart rate and rhythm in the background with monthly summaries, while new blood pressure trends utilize the WavesFM AI model to analyze pulse characteristics. Additionally, automatic workout detection has been enhanced through a large language model that interprets movement and location data to improve identification accuracy.
Timeline
The Fitbit Air was first released in May 2026.
Google announced the new features and the Fitbit Edge on October 12, 2026.
The Big Picture
The incorporation of the WavesFM AI foundation model for blood pressure estimation marks a shift toward using generative models for clinical-style health metrics. This story extends the application of the WavesFM model by integrating it into consumer wearable hardware to estimate cardiovascular trends.
Users can now access advanced tracking for sleep breathing quality and heart rhythm alerts, though sleep tracking requires users to be at least 18 years old. Those interested in premium insights can choose between a $10 monthly or $100 yearly subscription for Google Health Premium.
The takeaway
Owners of the Fitbit Air should check their device settings to ensure they have the latest firmware updates to access the new Health Guardian features. Staying consistent with regular software updates ensures that AI-driven workout detection and heart monitoring remain accurate.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in wearable tracking and respiratory health at the Asthma section.
Live Poll
Do you trust the health data provided by your wearable fitness device?
