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Google Rebrands Fitbit to Google Health as Gemini AI Coach Invades Apple Watch
Google is officially shifting its focus from selling watches to selling intelligence. On Thursday, May 7, 2026, the company announced it will retire the iconic Fitbit brand name for its software, rebranding the app to Google Health starting May 19.
The move isn't just a name change; it’s an invitation to users who have long preferred the Apple Watch or Oura Ring to bring their data into Google’s ecosystem. By "playing nice" with rivals, Google aims to position its Gemini AI as the primary wellness advisor for everyone—not just those who own a Pixel Watch.
The Gemini Health Coach
The center of this transition is the Google Health Coach, a generative AI assistant built on the Gemini model. Unlike standard fitness trackers that simply count steps, the AI coach is designed to:
Synthesize Data: Combine sleep, nutrition, and workout metrics to spot long-term trends.
Conversational Guidance: Answer specific questions like, "Why was my recovery score so low after my run yesterday?"
Personalized Plans: Create weekly fitness and meal plans that adapt to your real-time biometric changes.
"An athlete today has a whole team—a nutritionist, a sleep coach, a fitness trainer," said Rishi Chandra, Vice President and General Manager for Google Health. "Why can’t all of us have that equivalent? That’s what the health coach is all about."
Winning Over the "Walled Gardens"
Google currently trails Apple and Samsung in total wearable market share, but this update allows Google to "lure" those users without requiring a hardware switch. The Google Health app will integrate with Apple HealthKit and Android’s Health Connect, meaning an Apple Watch user can still use their favorite device while benefiting from Google’s AI insights.
To accompany the app, Google also unveiled the Fitbit Air, a $99 screenless, modular tracker. It’s designed for users who want to collect data 24/7 without the "distraction" of a screen, effectively serving as a gateway device for the new AI platform.
The AI Health Race Intensifies
The competition is fierce. Earlier this year, OpenAI reported that millions of people are already using ChatGPT for health-related queries, and Microsoft launched its own "Copilot Health" tool in March. While medical institutions like the Mayo Clinic warn that AI shouldn't replace a doctor, the demand for "always-on" wellness advice is clearly growing.
By making its software accessible across all devices, Google is betting that even if you wear an Apple Watch on your wrist, you'll soon have Google's AI in your head.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
May 8, 2026
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