Fitbit Launches Ace LTE: The Fun Kids Tracker with Games & Messaging

Fitbit unveiled a new smartwatch for kids aged 7 and above, the Ace LTE, featuring games, location sharing, and messaging.

On Wednesday, the Google-owned company introduced the Ace LTE, inspired by its Versa smartwatch. The Ace LTE has Wii-style motion control, location sharing, and parent messaging for 7+ year-olds, according to TechCrunch. Fitbit released Ace, a kids' tracker, in 2018.

Fitbit Ace LTE Encourages Physical Activity

The Ace LTE emphasizes gamification over metrics for elderly users. Kids get extra playtime as they move through the 3D game wherever they are as "Ace LTE keeps kids moving," Fitbit said.

Aside from encouraging physical activity, the Ace LTE has virtual creatures (like Tamagochi) called Eejies that "feed" on movement. After completing tasks, kids may buy Eejie clothing and furnishings using "arcade tickets." tickets."

FitBit provides six bands with downloadable settings and content. The Fitbit Arcade gets new games every few months.

The Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatch encourages youngsters to exercise without overexertion. The firm partnered with kid psychology, public health, privacy, and digital wellness specialists to make the gadget enjoyable, safe, and useful.

Kids' smartwatches always create privacy concerns, thus Fitbit noted that only parents can access location data. Fitbit removes activity data after 35 days and does not use it for Google advertisements, per The Verge.

The Ace LTE will not have third-party applications or advertisements, Google, which owns Fitbit, assured. The wearable device has 4G LTE and works without a phone. It supports both Android 11 and iOS 15+.

However, parents must download the Fitbit Ace app, check in using Gmail, and establish a Google account for their child to set up the Ace LTE. Without a Gmail address or password, the device syncs with this account. Moreover, to activate the watch's eSIM, you need an Ace Pass.

Ace LTE also has a feature that allows parents to manage contacts, establish school time boundaries, and monitor their child's activity with the app. Through School Time, parents have control over when their kids play on the device as they can set downtimes to help kids focus in school.

Google's vice president of product management for health and wearables, Anil Sabharwal, stressed the device's school-friendliness. He noted that the tech giant is working with school boards to formulate mechanisms "for school use," per Wired.

Sabharwal also stressed that "Parents still need to ensure their kids get to school safely" and take part in activities beyond school.

The Ace LTE costs $230 to preorder and ships June 5. A monthly subscription costs $10 or $120 a year.

Google to Ban Fitbit Third-Party Apps Soon

In March, Google stated it would ban third-party apps and clock faces from all EU Fitbit smartwatches by June 2024. This decision, due to "regulatory requirements," will affect EU users, as reported earlier by TechTimes.

Fitbit App Gallery will no longer provide third-party apps and clock faces to EU customers in June. They will no longer be able to download and install new applications or clock designs, although already installed ones may still work.

This ban will impact popular Fitbit models including Fitbit Sense 2, Versa 4, Sense, Versa 3, Versa 2, Versa Lite, Versa, and Ionic. However, this decision does not affect Fitbit trackers, Google Pixel Watch, or Pixel Watch 2.