Google Fit with new health-tracking rings

Google is rolling out a complete redesign of the Google Fit app for Android and the Fit section of the Wear OS app on iPhone. The new design focus is on closing rings, much like Apple (and everybody else). Google says that its rings are informed by health recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Every day, users will be encouraged to complete two goals: one based on “move minutes” and another based on a new thing called “heart points.”

Those metrics are an attempt to “abstract away the complication” of fitness tracking, says Margaret Hollendoner, senior product manager for Google Fit. “Move minutes” is meant to be a better metric than simple steps because it can capture several different activities since walking “might not be a great option” for some people. “Heart points” is a little more abstract, but it’s designed to encourage people to engage in activities that will still get their heart rate up but don’t necessarily require a trip to the gym. “It’s as simple as picking up the pace when you’re walking,” Hollendoner says.

With both metrics, Fit will attempt to use as many sensors as are available to it and estimate the rest. If you use a Wear OS watch, it can track your heart rate directly and also automatically detect when you start exercising. Fit won’t require a Wear OS watch, but it definitely works better with one. It can also work with health data from other devices that are compatible with Fit.