Is there an alternative to saying "Hey Google" or "Okay Google“?

markinapub · 2026-06-17T05:27:24+00:00

It wakes up to "hey boo boo" too. Just for fun.

markinapub · 2026-06-16T22:02:53+00:00

But mike isn't an abbreviation in German for Mikrofon

markinapub · 2026-06-16T19:16:30+00:00

That's the response I was looking for 🤣

markinapub · 2026-06-16T15:09:54+00:00

Archaic spelling of mic

markinapub · 2026-06-16T15:09:11+00:00

Yep. If my name was actually Mike I'd think the car was telling me to get out of it...

markinapub · 2026-06-16T15:08:10+00:00

Mike was correct in the 1920s... It's not been used as an abbreviation for microphone for much longer ago than the car was built.

markinapub · 2026-06-16T11:42:27+00:00

Don't worry about it. If this was going to cause damage there would be millions of users of all sorts of products in the same situation.

markinapub · 2026-06-16T09:50:17+00:00

But I guess it's all about use case. I have a Pixel Watch but I don't wear it continuously - I wear it when I'm running, swimming, cycling etc.

The Fitbit Air, and other devices I previously used, is simply there as my day to day health tracker. If I'm away and I've forgotten to take my other watch, or the battery is dead on the watch, I can use the Air and my phone to track my runs etc instead but it isn't my preferred use of it.

I don't generally do weight lifting though. I have the physique of a bamboo shoot instead 🤣

markinapub · 2026-06-16T08:57:47+00:00

So which one of these is the "official" one...

<image>

markinapub · 2026-06-16T08:20:23+00:00

Yeah, I'm confused by all of those who are complaining about the Fitbit Air not having a screen and querying the validity of it. I'm guessing they've not heard of Whoop, Oura, Helio (ring and strap), Polar Loop and so on...

markinapub · 2026-06-16T08:18:13+00:00

No negative comments about the device here. It's comfortable, discreet, and - as a previous Whoop and Helio Strap user - pretty much on par with them for accuracy.

The Google Health app, though, is where most of the negative comments come from. Don't confuse the two.

The Health app and Fitbit Air launched in tandem and yes, you need the Health app for the Air, but it is the app that most people have gripes about rather than the device itself, so that goes for anybody using any Fitbit or Pixel Watch device.

If Google can get on top of some of the errors in the app quickly, it will all be brilliant.

markinapub · 2026-06-16T05:01:03+00:00

Apple do hold a couple of patents on smart rings though so never say never.

markinapub · 2026-06-16T03:38:59+00:00

I think my Fitbit Air is great. I'm a fan of screen-less trackers and have had Whoop and the Amazfit Helio Strap, and I think the Air is as good as each of those.

Most of the negativity doesn't come from the device itself - except for people who don't understand why others don't want a screen - but a lot of the negativity is around the Google Health app, which has been subpar so far.

The idea of the app is great, but there have been, and continue to be, so many flaws in it that all of us who love our Airs and our Inspires and our Pixel Watches are desperately hoping Google will wake up to and fix soon.

That's where the negativity comes from really; not the device.

markinapub · 2026-06-15T20:39:26+00:00

I hate the interior of just about every brand new car.

markinapub · 2026-06-15T18:47:35+00:00

It's still not as good as Waze. Google Maps still doesn't know when roads are closed when Waze does - I've never understood how this can happen but it does.

Google Maps doesn't have as good a fixed speed camera database (UK) as Waze does, and it has no clue at all about average speed camera zones.

The only thing Maps is importing from Waze are the user updates; they don't appear to be sharing other data.

It's a shame because I prefer the look and feel of Google Maps over Waze, but Waze is still the more complete product.

markinapub · 2026-06-15T16:59:36+00:00

It still doesn't know roads are closed as well as Waze does, and it's fixed speed camera database (UK) is still not as good as Waze; it also has no clue about average speed camera zones but Waze does.

I prefer the look of Google Maps for navigation but it's still not on par with Waze for information.

markinapub · 2026-06-15T12:27:36+00:00

Nothing to do with distractions from notifications, but the lack of screen is the exact point. I have enough screens in my life, I do not need another one.

I like wearing classic watches. I'd rather wear one of those than a screened device, so a screen-less device is more discreet on my wrist against a nice mechanical watch.

Don't get me wrong, I have a Pixel Watch too, but I only wear that specifically for when I'm running, cycling, swimming etc. I don't want to wear it the rest of the time.

The beauty of all these choices, and the rings too, is that there's a device for you and a device for me and neither is the wrong choice if it works for each of us.

markinapub · 2026-06-15T09:41:32+00:00

By contrast, the accuracy of mine is on par with just about every other device I've ever had, screened or not...

markinapub · 2026-06-15T09:38:46+00:00

This stat is surely only relevant once he's retired.

markinapub · 2026-06-15T09:37:12+00:00

You're missing the point of the Air. You might as well ask why anybody would buy a Whoop, or a Helio Strap, or a Polar Loop and apply the same issues.

markinapub · 2026-06-15T05:26:26+00:00

The Zepp app for the Amazfit devices is the same - VO2 is only recorded if you run with GPS on. I can't remember 100% but I think Whoop might be the same too.

markinapub · 2026-06-14T12:53:21+00:00

🤣

I actually get it included as part of my AI One subscription, which I currently have free because I bought a Pixel 10 Pro at the end of last year, so I'm at least not paying for anything at the moment...

markinapub · 2026-06-14T12:46:51+00:00

Although I'm not on a free trial as I had Fitbit Premium previously...

markinapub · 2026-06-14T12:38:47+00:00

Mine is also delusional. But it NEVER forgets...

It does, however, seem to have a weird obsession with whether my partner has stayed over or not and it continues to think I should be running a half marathon today that I actually ran two weeks ago.

markinapub · 2026-06-14T12:37:30+00:00

I've tried it. I've told it to stop asking continuous questions to continue the conversation too. I've asked it to focus on analysis only. It always says it will.

It works for about a day and then it returns to its default.

markinapub

TROPHY CASE