Fitbit Aria scale: A legacy left in limbo
Recent developments have put owners of the original Fitbit Aria scale in a bind. The company has pulled support for the device, and users who remove it from their accounts find themselves unable to add it back. This has sparked discussions on social platforms, with users seeking workarounds.
The Fitbit Aria was one of the first smart scales to hit the market. Launched in April 2012, it was a pioneering product that could recognise users and measure weight, body mass index (BMI), and percentage of body fat. The Fitbit app automatically synced the data via Wi-Fi, giving users a comprehensive view of their health metrics.
The Aria 2 succeeded the Aria scale in 2017, boasting improved accuracy and a simpler Bluetooth setup. The budget-friendly Fitbit Aria Air followed in 2019. Despite these newer models, some users have held on to their original Aria scales for a decade or more.
The original Aria scale is no longer supported
On the one hand, this is a testament to the longevity of this Fitbit product. On the other hand, the discontinuation of support for the Aria scale has left these loyal users in a bind.
A few of them have recently discovered that there is currently no way to add the scale back to their Fitbit account if it has been removed. If you try to do so you will get the message that Fitbit has discontinued software support for the Aria and that you should get a new smart scale.
Unsurprisingly, this has caused frustration among some users. And they have taken to online forums to voice their concerns and seek solutions. A workaround that has been suggested is installing a third party app that can sync the ageing scale to your Fitbit account. But this solution is not ideal.
Importance of maintaining support for older devices
The decision by Fitbit to discontinue support for the Aria scale raises broader concerns about the lifecycle of smart devices and the implications for users. Devices frequently become obsolete as technology advances at a rapid pace. That’s part of the game.
However, when users are unable to use a device on which they have grown accustomed, it can cause significant disruption. Particularly, if there is nothing technically wrong with it.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
The Aria scale situation serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining support for older devices. In the fast-paced world of fitness technology, 10 years is a long time. However, given that the Fitbit Aria was superseded by its second-generation counterpart only about five years ago, some users may have acquired the device more recently.
While it is understandable for businesses to prioritise newer products, they also have a responsibility to their long-term customers. The challenge is to strike a balance between innovation and continuity while meeting the needs of all users.
The discontinuation of support has been a setback for some users of the original Aria scale. Fitbit has made a number of dubious decisions in recent months, no doubt influenced by its new owner Google. The search giant seems to be laser-focused on developing its Pixel watch line. This shift in focus has left some users feeling sidelined, questioning the future of their beloved devices.
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As a previously satisfied owner of the original Aria scale, I am justifiably irritated that something as simple as updating wifi information is one of those functions no longer supported by Fitbit.
Sick and tired of forced obsolescence like this. I refuse to buy another “just because” as my scale is perfectly fine, just suddenly can’t sync. It can’t cost them anything to simply continue to let the old scales connect to the same servers they run for the new ones. Just greedy money grab and I refuse to be a part of it.
So much for their ESG goals.
Google and other companies needs to learn from Microsofts decision to migrate the XBOX 360 to more modern infrastructure in order to provide better, more reliable support for the games and underlying services that the old machine relies on. If you are a device manufacturer, it’s your duty to provide support for the devices you sell.
However, Apple ruined it for everyone by going the other direction out of pure profit motivation. They really showed people are willing to be forced to pay to upgrade all the time to ensure their devices function properly. It’s really sad but they proved that tech users are willing to pay to pay.
I am extremely disappointed by the attitude of Google/Fitbit in regards to it ceasing support for this product. I will now avoid all Google products for this reason.