Open Groups News Today

Google will remove the ability for Fitbit users in Europe to download and install third-party apps and watch faces.

Having virtual running friends may help get you out the door, but runners need real competition to push themselves towards faster times.

Plus: The library ebook app OverDrive is shutting down, Fitbit loses some social features, and we take a stroll on Amazon Sidewalk.

Fitbit no longer supports older iPhones, following the update in its iOS requirement. Fitbit, one of the popular fitness trackers, confirmed that it is ditching support for older Apple iPhones.

Today, Fitbit is shutting down Fitbit Challenges, Adventures, and Open Groups, as it continues to integrate with Google.

Google's Fitbit is expanding its Health Metrics feature accessible for all, and it is now available for free.

Fitbit plans to drop its top features, including open groups and challenges. Learn more about this decision.

Its very likely that well see deeper integration between Wear OS and Fitbit in the future. But we have seen limited integration thus far.

By removing the very features that people want, Fitbit may end up disappointing many of its loyal users.

The removal of these community features will happen from the Fitbit app on March 27, and the app development tool Fitbit Studio will also be taken down in favor of a command line SDK.