STACK #260 June 2026

TECH FEATURE

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Why go screen-free?

A screen-free tracker might sound unusual in 2026, but there are actually some major advantages. With no display constantly lighting up or sending alerts, Fitbit Air is less distracting than a smartwatch and designed to help users stay in the zone, sleep better, and reduce digital overload, while still quietly tracking the important health data in the background. The smaller design also makes it more comfortable for 24/7 wear – especially when tracking sleep. Think of it as wearable tech that quietly supports you instead of constantly demanding your attention.

Sometimes the best tech is a device you barely notice. That’s the idea behind the Google Fitbit Air – a screen-free fitness tracker that cuts distractions and quietly works in the background to help you sleep better, train smarter, and better understand your overall health and wellbeing. Words Bec Summer It’s Fitbit, but not as you know it! Meet the screen-free Google Fitbit Air

Gemini-powered premium coaching Another big shift is the launch of the new Google Health ecosystem and accompanying Premium subscription service. Fitbit Air works with the redesigned Google Health app, along with the new Google Health Premium tier.* Standard users still get the core tracking features such as steps, heart rate, sleep tracking, and readiness metrics, while the more advanced Gemini-powered coaching feature requires a paid Google Health Premium subscription to unlock it. Premium features include adaptive fitness and workout plans, more detailed sleep insights, plus Google Health Coach – powered by Gemini AI - for personalised, conversational guidance. Summing it up: Fitbit Air + free Google Health covers the base metrics tracking and trends, while Fitbit Air + paid Google Health Premium subscription helps turn that data into more useful, personalised guidance.

Fitbit with a very different approach While smaller, lighter, and more discreet than any previous Fitbit, the biggest difference between the Google Fitbit Air and other Fitbit trackers is that there’s no screen. That means no disruptive notifications and no endless tapping through menus. Just a tracker band designed to sit silently on your wrist while it monitors what matters in the background. Instead of bombarding you with endless stats and activity charts, it focuses on delivering simple metrics, tracking, and trends via the new Google Health app – an update and rebrand of the Fitbit app that integrates Fitbit tracking with broader Google Health services.

Fitbit Air is also the brand’s smallest heart rate-enabled wearable to date, sporting an ultra-thin design for maximum comfort during sleep, workouts, and all-day wear. Health tracking without the overload Despite its minimalist design, Fitbit Air still packs plenty of advanced core health tracking features, including HRV (heart rate variability), blood oxygen levels (SpO2), breathing rate, sleep metrics, and activity tracking, all monitored 24/7. Battery life gives you up to seven days of use on a single charge, along with fast charging that can deliver a full day of power in just five minutes. It’s swim-friendly too, with 50-metre water resistance for pool sessions, sweaty workouts, and even showering.

* Requires Google Health Premium subscription (sold separately), Google Health app and Internet connection. Features subject to change; availability varies. Not intended for medical purposes. Gemini features work independently of Gemini apps. Check responses for accuracy; results may vary.

32 JUNE 2026

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