{"id":1475866,"date":"2024-02-01T09:30:24","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T09:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecanary.co\/?p=1674014"},"modified":"2024-02-01T09:30:24","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T09:30:24","slug":"chronically-ill-people-are-being-left-fitbit-less-as-devices-run-out-of-spoons-due-to-software-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2024\/02\/01\/chronically-ill-people-are-being-left-fitbit-less-as-devices-run-out-of-spoons-due-to-software-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Chronically ill people are being left Fitbit-less as devices \u2018run out of spoons\u2019 due to software update"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The scandal around Fitbit Charge 5<\/a>\u00a0effectively flatlining on users is growing – as the device’s parent company denies it’s anything to do with a rogue software update. However, missing in the story is the fact that many chronically ill<\/a> people rely on Fitbits to monitor particular conditions. For these people, the death of their devices is having a damaging impact.<\/p>\n

Fitbit Charge 5: is it or is it not the software update?<\/h2>\n

As BBC News<\/em> reported, Fitbit has been having a few issues<\/a>. Since late December, countless users have seen their devices die after installing the brand’s latest firmware update. As BBC News<\/em> reported:<\/p>\n

Users on Fitbit’s own forums however are adamant the software change is to blame, with some Charge 5 users urging against installing the update, and describing how their devices no longer work properly, if at all.<\/p>\n

“Basically, it’s useless now, the battery’s dead,” Dean, in Essex… told the BBC, as he explained his problems with his Charge 5.<\/p>\n

He said previously his device was “working really well” and was “easily” able to last seven days per charge – and said the thought the software update was to blame.<\/p>\n

“I don’t really see why hundreds of other people would be having the same problem after installing the update if it wasn’t”.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

However, for many people Fitbit is more than just a lifestyle device. It is an essential part of healthcare if you happen to be chronically ill.<\/p>\n

A (previously) useful device for chronically ill people<\/h2>\n

On Twitter (now X), people have been sharing their uses of Fitbit for their chronic illnesses:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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Honestly, late 2020 getting a Fitbit was motivated by getting a more accurate step count than from a phone and logging swimming and cycling sessions. Unexpectedly it's been very helpful for monitoring POTS symptoms and advance warning when SIH symptoms are about to get worse.<\/p>\n

— Merike SeII \"\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddea\" (@m3rike) January 28, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n