What’s the role of a simple fitness band in the AI health era?

Person looking at Google Maps screen on Fitbit Charge 6

Fitness bands can’t be as simple as they once were before the AI health boom. | Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

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A fitness band is for bettering yourself, but casually. It’s lightweight, easy to wear, and not something you have to think too hard about. It’s cheaper than a smartwatch. You get your steps, basic heart rate, and some sleep tracking. Maybe you can see the time, maybe you can’t. But unlike many wearables today, a fitness tracker wasn’t truly meant to be a companion for your phone and all the overwhelm that comes wit …

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