Fitbit Ace LTE is Google’s latest Wear OS device and aims to encourage kids (ages 7+) to live a healthy lifestyle through games, while serving as a parent-child communication and real-time location device. A monthly or annual Fitbit Ace Pass subscription is required for cellular connectivity, Fitbit Arcade and other features.
Hands-on: The Fitbit Ace LTE is Google’s most complete launch in years [Gallery]
Design + Hardware
Visually, the Ace LTE looks like the Sense 2 or Versa 4, with a rounded square OLED (333 PPI) protected by Gorilla Glass 3. In the box, you get a raised plastic bumper that snaps on for extra screen protection. The case is also made of stainless steel and recycled plastic.
Battery life is estimated at over 16 hours (typically 328 mAh) with a standalone LTE connection and plenty of games, but no always-on display. AOD can be activated in the Settings app, which is identical to Wear OS. However, there is no Play Store, third-party apps, or advertising.
Typical usage is based on a school day with 6 lessons of 5-minute play, 10 messages, 3 one-minute voice calls, 5 location checks, 2 payments and 4 hours of Wi-Fi.
The Fitbit Ace LTE shares many of the same specs as the Pixel Watch 2, including the Snapdragon W5/Qualcomm 5100, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a microphone, 5 ATM (50 meters) water resistance, and the same circular pin. charger with fast charging support.
In addition to 4G LTE (courtesy of the existing Google Fi/T-Mobile partnership), there’s Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and GPS/GNSS. As a Fitbit device, it has a simplified version of the optical heart rate sensor on the Pixel Watch 2, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, an altimeter, a magnetometer, and an ambient light sensor. Google has removed health sensors that aren’t necessary for children, such as the ECG app on the Pixel Watch already requiring age 22+.
| Pixel Watch 2 | Fitbit Ace LTE |
| 320 ppi AMOLED | 333 ppi OLED |
| Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 24 hours with always-on display | 16+ hours with gaming/LTE, AOD off |
| 306mAh | 328 mAh |
| 30 minutes to 50% 43 minutes to 80% 75 minutes at 100% |
30 minutes to 60% (11 hours) 70 minutes at 100% (16+ hours) |
| Housing: 100% recycled aluminum | Case: Plastic, stainless steel, glass and recycled materials |
| $399.99 | $229.95 + subscription |
Games + fitness
To play the games, which are accessed from the bottom “triangle” button on the right edge, children must move. For example, you may not be able to play the next level/chapter until you have more activity, which Google cheekily calls “interval play”.
Eejies are adaptable creatures that thrive on daily activity – the more kids reach their exercise goals, the healthier and happier their eejies are.
As they progress and complete daily activities, kids earn arcade tickets to customize their eejie character with new clothes and items to decorate their “home in Bit Valley, the original home of the eejie” (yes, like “Animal Crossing”).
The titles in Fitbit Arcade are powered by the Unity engine and take full advantage of available hardware. For example, there is a fishing game called “Smokey Lake” where your hand becomes a rod that vibrates when you catch something. You reach your hand up to wind it back. Another title called “Pollo 11” involves flicking your wrist to navigate a “chicken in a bathtub hurtling through space.” In addition to gesture-based gameplay, there are also puzzle-style tasks. New games will be added every few months.
Games can be restricted by adults during set hours using “School Time”.
All available watch faces feature a “Noodle” activity ring – which can be a snake, skeleton or other themed figure – to track their daily activity goal, which takes into account the intensity. For example, 90 points is about 45 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.
Google Research has developed a new movement algorithm “that better and more accurately measures children’s physical activity throughout the day.” Experience takes surge into account, while goals are all or nothing.
There’s a large speaker cutout on the left edge, and the bottom is home to the single strap connector that Versa/Sense owners will be familiar with. A loop is permanently attached to the upper edge. Fitbit Ace LTE recognizes which bands are connected thanks to a patented pairing mechanism inspired by old Nintendo cartridges. This will load new content that can be used to customize their eejie.
There are currently six bands with fun names like Strange Arcade, Moovin’, Spooky Pubs, Glitterbomb Skate, Camp Nightmare and Courtside. More will be added.
Smart watch function + mobile app
On the right edge you will find two buttons that take up this entire edge. The top is marked with a circle that opens the screen to access communication features, an alarm clock, activity stats, and other smartwatch-like features. Touch-to-pay in Google Wallet will be introduced in “a few months”, with parents able to set a contribution and receive real-time spending alerts.
Ace LTE allows a child to message, call and send voice memos – using an IP-based backend – to their parents from their wrist. Parents receive and send messages as well as track monthly Move Goal progress with the Fitbit Ace app available for Android and iOS. A child can have up to 20 approved call/message contacts on their watch.
Parents can see where their children are in the Ace app, and this location data will be deleted after 24 hours. Privacy and data minimization are big focal points, with Ace app activity history “deleted after a maximum of 35 days”.
The $229.95 Fitbit Ace LTE is available for pre-order today on the Google Store and Amazon, with general availability on June 5. More vendors will follow. Available in Spicy Pebble (green) with Moovin’ Band or Mild Pebble (dark gray) with Strange Arcade Band.
At launch (until August 31st), you can get 50% off Fitbit Ace Pass and a free band. Otherwise, it’s $119.99 a year or $9.99 every month for LTE (messaging, calling, and location sharing), Bit Valley games, and Fitbit Arcade.
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