[Digital Today reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Google will replace the existing Fitbit app with Google Health and integrate its health management services into one. The change will be applied as a mandatory update. The new app will replace not only the Fitbit app but also Google Fit and Google Health Connect.

TechRadar reported on May 7 that the overhaul effectively absorbs the Fitbit brand into Google Health. Both free and premium users will switch to Google Health. The app update will change the logo and layout, but existing stored health data will remain. Users can continue to record health information with existing connected devices, including Fitbit devices.

Google Health supports hundreds of apps and devices, including Apple Health, Peloton and continuous glucose monitoring devices such as Lingo. It can be used even without an Android smartphone. Google introduced the new service as "a cleaner view of your health and wellness" and reorganised the app around four tabs: Today, Fitness, Sleep and Health.

The feature changes are also significant. Google Health supports storing medical records in the app and exporting or sharing data. Users can also create QR-code-based "smart health" reports that can be shared with doctors or medical institutions.

It also issued a message mindful of concerns about privacy practices. Google reaffirmed its policy to keep health data separate from Google advertising, as promised at the time of its Fitbit acquisition. Under an agreement with the European Union's executive Commission in 2020, the pledge is legally binding for at least 10 years.

The centre of paid services shifts to an AI coach. Google Health Premium will feature a Gemini-based "Google Health Coach". Google said the coach is based on scientific, validated coaching and fitness frameworks, and that an expert advisory group provided feedback and guidance during development.

Google Health Coach answers users' health and wellness questions based on their data and proposes weekly changing workout plans based on performance results. It also includes recipes and nutrition advice, answers to injury-related questions and sleep analysis. Google described the feature as "world-class expertise available whenever you need it". It also explained it was designed to keep adapting to an individual's health indicators, goals and real-life circumstances.

It also strengthened nutrition management features. Users can set calorie goals and upload meal photos to estimate calories or macronutrient levels. It also supports manual input. It appears to target users whose goal is weight loss, maintenance or weight gain.

The pricing is $9.99 a month or $99 a year. The free plan will remain, but AI-based insights are included in Premium. The newly unveiled "Google Fitbit Air" comes with three months of Premium access. The period is shorter than the six months provided with the current generation of Fitbit products.

Existing Fitbit Premium subscribers can continue using recipes and workout content, as well as the Fitbit expert trainer library. However, Fitbit's original group challenges and community features are unlikely to return for the time being.

With the overhaul, Google will bundle health apps and services that have been dispersed since its acquisition of Fitbit into Google Health and reshape the structure to put the AI coach at the forefront. As a result, it is expected to be a turning point for existing Fitbit users, with major changes to the brand and app experience.