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If anyone has a Google Account set up on Android, then they have forfeited their right to privacy - but luckily Android works fine without adding a Google Account integral to the operating system in Settings > Accounts.
<https://i.postimg.cc/x1NZwj5G/account02.jpg>
In a recent thread, it was observed that the Google FitBit app
automatically infested Android with a parasitic Google Account.
*What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS?*
<https://www.novabbs.com/computers/article-flat.php?id=56585&group=comp.mobile.android#56585>
To test that privacy observation, I just moments ago downloaded the latest FitBit app from the Google Play Store repository <com.fitbit.FitbitMobile>.
It asked me to choose "Sign in with Google" or "Sign in with Fitbit".
Clicking "Sign in with Fitbit" doesn't seem to allow me to *create* a
FitBit account, and "Sign in with Google" says, very clearly this:
*The [Google] account will be added to this device*
<https://i.postimg.cc/7ZRtbdHN/fitbit01.jpg>
Obviously, that's a dangerous app in terms of privacy since you forfeit
your right to privacy when you add an account integral to Android settings.
That means we need to find a suitable *alternative* to the FitBit app.
What is it?
If anyone has a Google Account set up on Android, then they have forfeited their right to privacy - but luckily Android works fine without adding a Google Account integral to the operating system in Settings > Accounts. <https://i.postimg.cc/x1NZwj5G/account02.jpg>
In a recent thread, it was observed that the Google FitBit app
automatically infested Android with a parasitic Google Account.
*What can't you do on Android WITHOUT a Google Account set up in the OS?* <https://www.novabbs.com/computers/article-flat.php?id=56585&group=comp.mobile.android#56585>
To test that privacy observation, I just moments ago downloaded the latest FitBit app from the Google Play Store repository <com.fitbit.FitbitMobile>.
It asked me to choose "Sign in with Google" or "Sign in with Fitbit".
Clicking "Sign in with Fitbit" doesn't seem to allow me to *create* a
FitBit account, and "Sign in with Google" says, very clearly this:
*The [Google] account will be added to this device* <https://i.postimg.cc/7ZRtbdHN/fitbit01.jpg>
Obviously, that's a dangerous app in terms of privacy since you forfeit
your right to privacy when you add an account integral to Android settings.
That means we need to find a suitable *alternative* to the FitBit app.
What is it?
That means we need to find a suitable *alternative* to the FitBit app.
What is it?
I suggest a NoBit. Seriously, people have exercised without tracking and smart watches since time immemorial, and I see no reason for why we should stop now.
If you absolutely need tracking, then set a time limit. Go jogging for 20 minutes or 30, and that's it. Your body will take care of the rest.
If you're really into data, a bathroom scale will allow you to follow your progress nicely.
NOTE: Since Andrew posted in comp.mobile.android to get us to waste our
time trying to do his alternative lookups on similar de-Googled apps,
I'm keeping this discussion in the same newsgroup, and only that
newsgroup. His cross-posting to alt.privacy and sci.geo.satellite-nav
were removed from my reply.
Andrew <andys@nospam.com> wrote:
I've seen Strava suggested as an alternative to the Fitbit app. An
account is needed with Strava if you want to participate in their communities, or get premium features. The same was true for Fitbit if
you wanted the premium features. However, looks like basic features are free, and don't require an account, but I haven't tested Strava yet.
Even if their app installed and ran without a Strava account, but you
then added premium services that require an account, you're swapping
Strava for Google.
Since I never used FitBit myself, I asked what the heck it does.
Q: What exactly does the FitBit Android app do for people anyway?
The Fitbit app on Android does a lot!
Here are some key things it enables:
Track Your Activity:
Steps: Counts your daily steps, distance walked, and calories burned.
Exercise: Records workouts like running, swimming, cycling, and more.
You can track them manually or use built-in GPS.
Heart Rate: Monitors your resting heart rate and tracks your heart
rate during workouts.
Monitor Your Sleep:
Tracks your sleep duration, sleep stages (light, deep, REM),
and restlessness. Provides insights and tips to improve your
sleep quality.
Manage Your Health:
Log Food: Track your calorie intake and monitor your nutrition.
Manage Weight: Set weight loss goals and track your progress.
Hydration: Track your daily water intake.
Connect and Share:
Connect with friends and family to share your progress
and stay motivated. Join challenges and compete with others.
Control Your Fitbit Device:
Customize your device settings.
Receive notifications (calls, texts, calendar alerts) on your
Fitbit device. Access and control music playback.
Essentially, the Fitbit app acts as a central hub for all your
health and fitness data. It helps you understand your activity
levels, sleep patterns, and overall health trends, and provides
tools to help you reach your fitness goals.
As for receiving notifications, their app is running on the same phone
where you are getting calls and texts. You don't need their app telling
you that your phone got a call. When I go to the gym, I don't take my
phone: don't want to damage it, don't want to wear it while exercising,
and don't want it stolen. I won't be taking calls or reading texts
while exercising, anyway. Without the phone, the Fitbit device isn't
going to notify you of anything happening on your phone. With the
phone, the Fitbit app is superfluous for notifying you of calls or
texts.
On 2025-01-02 21:49, VanguardLH wrote:
As for receiving notifications, their app is running on the same phone
where you are getting calls and texts. You don't need their app telling
you that your phone got a call. When I go to the gym, I don't take my
phone: don't want to damage it, don't want to wear it while exercising,
and don't want it stolen. I won't be taking calls or reading texts
while exercising, anyway. Without the phone, the Fitbit device isn't
going to notify you of anything happening on your phone. With the
phone, the Fitbit app is superfluous for notifying you of calls or
texts.
I find that useful. I get a wasap, the wrist thing vibrates, I just make
the movement on my arm like going to read the time, the screen
illuminates and I see who texted me, and a bit of the message. I can
decide fast whether to actually read it now, or if it can wait.
I don't go to gyms. I find it useful to track my walks.
Some of the gym machines apparently have BT and connect to the watch. My elliptical bike doesn't, so the watch only logs my heart rate, not how
many steps I took. It should log them, my arm does a rhythmic movement.
NOTE: The unrelated alt.privacy and sci.geo.satellite-nav newsgroups[...]
were omitted in my reply.
Andrew <andys@nospam.com> wrote:
Since I never used FitBit myself, I asked what the heck it does.
Q: What exactly does the FitBit Android app do for people anyway?
The Fitbit app on Android does a lot!
Here are some key things it enables:
[...]Monitor Your Sleep:
Tracks your sleep duration, sleep stages (light, deep, REM),
and restlessness. Provides insights and tips to improve your
sleep quality.
Other than the "Connect and Share", the Fitbit *device* has all the
other features. Their app just gives some additional insights, like
trends, along with fluff for the socially needy, or attempt to spur
those lacking self-motivation.
VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
NOTE: The unrelated alt.privacy and sci.geo.satellite-nav newsgroups[...]
were omitted in my reply.
Andrew <andys@nospam.com> wrote:
Since I never used FitBit myself, I asked what the heck it does.
Q: What exactly does the FitBit Android app do for people anyway?
The Fitbit app on Android does a lot!
Here are some key things it enables:
[...]Monitor Your Sleep:
Tracks your sleep duration, sleep stages (light, deep, REM),
and restlessness. Provides insights and tips to improve your
sleep quality.
Other than the "Connect and Share", the Fitbit *device* has all the
other features. Their app just gives some additional insights, like
trends, along with fluff for the socially needy, or attempt to spur
those lacking self-motivation.
I only selected the 'Monitor Your Sleep' part to make the/my point:
No, the Fitbit device does *not* have all the features. Iit only
displays sleep duration and Sleep Score (not mentioned above, but also
in the app), nothing else. If the device has a SpO2 sensor, the app also shows Oxygen Variation during your sleep. The device only shows the
overall percentage (which of course the app also shows).
BTW, about the settings part (of the device versus the app), you're similarly incorrect, i.e. you can't set all or even most things on the device.
Don't think I'll read the rest of your diatribe. If you don't want to
use the app, don't use it. Period. No need to disparage others who might
find it useful. You aren't Mayayana's or 'Arlen''s twin brother, are
you!?
[...]
Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:
VanguardLH <V@nguard.lh> wrote:
NOTE: The unrelated alt.privacy and sci.geo.satellite-nav newsgroups[...]
were omitted in my reply.
Andrew <andys@nospam.com> wrote:
Since I never used FitBit myself, I asked what the heck it does.
Q: What exactly does the FitBit Android app do for people anyway?
The Fitbit app on Android does a lot!
Here are some key things it enables:
[...]Monitor Your Sleep:
Tracks your sleep duration, sleep stages (light, deep, REM),
and restlessness. Provides insights and tips to improve your
sleep quality.
Other than the "Connect and Share", the Fitbit *device* has all the
other features. Their app just gives some additional insights, like
trends, along with fluff for the socially needy, or attempt to spur
those lacking self-motivation.
I only selected the 'Monitor Your Sleep' part to make the/my point:
No, the Fitbit device does *not* have all the features. Iit only
displays sleep duration and Sleep Score (not mentioned above, but also
in the app), nothing else. If the device has a SpO2 sensor, the app also shows Oxygen Variation during your sleep. The device only shows the
overall percentage (which of course the app also shows).
BTW, about the settings part (of the device versus the app), you're similarly incorrect, i.e. you can't set all or even most things on the device.
Don't think I'll read the rest of your diatribe. If you don't want to
use the app, don't use it. Period. No need to disparage others who might find it useful. You aren't Mayayana's or 'Arlen''s twin brother, are
you!?
[...]
I voiced my opinion and usage. You voiced yours. So, tit for tat,
knock off your DIATRIBE.
