What you should know
“`html
- Google announced the removal of all third-party apps and clock faces from the Fitbit app gallery in the EU starting in June 2024 due to new “regulatory requirements”.
- EU Fitbit users have until June 2024 to add any third-party apps or clock faces before the feature is disabled, after which only Fitbit and Google-developed apps and clocks can be installed.
- Existing third-party content on Fitbit devices will continue to function after the deadline, but new installations or downloads of such content will not be possible.
- The specific EU regulation prompting this change was not disclosed, raising questions about the impact of EU tech regulations on user experience and the future of tech regulation.
“`
Full Story
Oh boy, Fitbit fans in the EU, you’re in for a bit of a rollercoaster. So, Google’s dropping a bombshell – they’re axing all third-party apps and clock faces from the Fitbit app gallery. And this isn’t happening in the distant future; we’re talking June 2024.
Why this sudden curveball, you ask? Well, it’s all thanks to some new “regulatory requirements” over in the EU. You know, the kind of legal stuff that makes companies jump through hoops. The Fitbit support page kinda whispered this news, mentioning that EU users have until June 2024 to grab any third-party goodies before they’re gone for good.
After that? It’s a bit of a bummer. You’re stuck with only Fitbit and Google’s in-house apps and clocks. But hey, it’s not all doom and gloom. According to the folks over at Android Authority, any third-party content you’ve already got will keep on ticking. Just don’t expect to download anything new post-deadline.
Oh, and for those in the U.S. feeling a tad anxious, no worries. This change is EU-exclusive.
Now, onto the nitty-gritty. This shake-up will touch a bunch of popular Fitbit models. We’re talking the whole shebang – from Fitbit Sense 2 to Fitbit Ionic.
But here’s the kicker – Google’s being super cagey about which EU regulation is causing this stir. It’s like a mystery without a clue. Could it be the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) or something else entirely? Honestly, it’s anyone’s guess.
This whole saga definitely throws up a bunch of questions. Like, what’s this mean for the future of Fitbit in Europe? And is this the start of the EU getting tough on tech?
For now, though, the best advice I can sling your way is to go on a downloading spree. Snatch up all the third-party apps and clock faces you can. You know, just to be safe, before this whole restriction thing kicks in.
