Image source: Instagram (upscaled by Gadgets & Wearables)

Fitbit Air name emerges as Google’s screenless band takes shape

Earlier this week, we got the clearest look yet at Google’s upcoming screenless Fitbit band, with fresh images showing the rectangular tracker body sitting flush beneath the fabric strap. Now a new report suggests the device may launch under the name Fitbit Air, alongside a wider software shift that could see Fitbit Premium replaced by something called Google Health.

Fitbit screen less band
Image source: Instagram (upscaled by Gadgets & Wearables)

That adds a much clearer picture of what Google is building here. This is not shaping up to be another traditional fitness tracker with a display, but something much closer to a Whoop-style recovery band focused on all-day health monitoring and app-based insights.


Fitbit Air could be the final name

According to the latest report, the wearable will be marketed as Fitbit Air, with the fuller branding said to be Google Fitbit Air. The “Air” name is reportedly tied to the thinner and lighter design, with the idea being that it should feel comfortable enough to wear continuously without the bulk of a smartwatch.

That lines up with what we have already seen. The device looks compact, screenless and built around passive tracking rather than wrist-based interaction. Instead of checking stats directly on the wearable, the experience seems designed around collecting data in the background and reviewing it later in the app.

Stephen Curry has reportedly been wearing the device publicly since at least January, which makes this look far beyond an early prototype. Between press appearances and behind-the-scenes content, it seems clear Google has been testing this in plain sight for months.


A bigger shift may be happening in software

The more interesting part of this story may actually be the software strategy around it. It seems the subscription service that currently unlocks deeper insights and AI-powered features, is expected to be rebranded as Google Health. Fitbit’s AI-powered personal health coach, which is currently in public preview, would reportedly become Google Health Coach.

Fitbit hardware would still keep the Fitbit name, but the services around it would move more directly under the Google brand. It suggests Google wants health and wellness features to feel like part of its wider ecosystem rather than a separate Fitbit experience.

It also helps explain why earlier teaser content linked to the band ended with the colourful Google “G” logo rather than Fitbit branding. At the time that stood out, and now it makes much more sense.


The Fitbit app already hinted at it

There were already signs of this approach in the Fitbit app itself. Screens shown on a Pixel phone included a “Live data” page displaying Cardio Load, heart rate, calories burned and elapsed time. That screen does not currently exist in the public Fitbit app, which strongly suggests dedicated support for this new wearable is already being prepared behind the scenes.

Fitbit screenless band

This fits the wider idea of the product. Instead of acting like a smartwatch replacement, Fitbit Air looks like it is being positioned as a dedicated recovery and health tracker. It sits somewhere between a fitness band and a subscription-based coaching platform. So you will probably be able to use it alongside the Pixel Watch.

That is also why comparisons with Whoop keep coming up. The focus is less on notifications, apps and on-device features, and more on readiness, recovery and long-term health trends.

For now, Google still has not officially announced the device. But with clearer hardware images, months of public testing on Steph Curry’s wrist and now a likely product name and subscription strategy, Fitbit Air looks like it could land in the next few weeks.


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Ivan Jovin

Ivan has been a tech journalist for over 12 years now, covering all kinds of technology issues. Based in the US - he is the guy who gets to dive deep into the latest wearable tech news.

Ivan Jovin has 2047 posts and counting. See all posts by Ivan Jovin

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