my one issue with Apple Watch is requiring an Apple iPhone to use it, if it could be instead used with an iPad or even one of their laptops/desktop I would have one and have bought them for a relative or too; mostly for the fall detection
1) Don't use an iPhone
2) Battery life too less (my versa lasts me 4+ days)
3) Too expensive. I bought my versa a month after launch for $150 and my wife's for $90 (albeit a holiday deal). They also just work without an issue and I don't imagine paying significantly more than that on another wearable.
This! I had Fitbit before, but it stopped syncing (common story). I love the Garmin - nicer hardware, software, flawless syncing, lots of integrations with other apps which is nice.
I'm split between the Garmin and Mi Band 4. The stress tracking features on the vivosmart really tempt me, but I'm concerned about the irreplaceable band and the whole change in ecosystem as I currently use an old model Mi Band.
Mi band 4 has best battery life and together with mi band tools app (search on play store) is great. To be honest, if there were custom opensource ROMs for mi band, they would destroy all alternatives.
The irreplaceable band on my wife's fitbit charge broke once, then the 3rd party replacement that shouldn't exist broke too. She then decided to get the cheapest option and seems pretty happy with it still. And if it breaks she'll just get a new one.
Since you can use the band with open source apps (Gadgetbridge), the security and freedom aspects of a closed firmware fitness tracker is okay.
Of course it feels nicer to have software you know on your wrist. There are a few people who are interested in writing an own OS for the Amazfit Bip watch by Huami, which may (I'm not sure) also be the manufacturer of the bands. The project isn't really active, but maybe the motivation of some possible synergies would help.
Depends on what you want to do with it. If you just want a relatively dumb watch that tells the time, shows notifications and lasts for days, a Pebble may still be a good choice. The firmware has largely been reimplemented by the Rebble project, so you're guaranteed to be free.
If you want serious tracking and are prepared to spend a lot of money, Garmin makes good devices.
If you're okay with giving up data as long as it's not to Google, Jawbone and Mi fit devices are pretty close to Fitbit offerings.
>I really have no trust that google will keep promise not to use the data
Worth clarifying that they didn't even promise this. What they said was...
>The company never sells personal information, and Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads
That means they won't sell personal information but they will probably sell anonymized health and wellness data and they will absolutely use the data themselves, just not for Google ads.
Consider the recent stories where LinkedIn was used by China to recruit spies.
Now consider a person with health issues, whatever they may be. Many people can be turned by using their or their loved ones' health issues. Whether it's the money for health payments, promise of new treatments, organs transplants ... I leave to imagination.
Could anyone suggest an alternative?
I really have no trust that google will keep promise not to use the data.
edit: thanks all, I have too look into it all back home.