New Fitbit smartwatch comes with gaming and privacy features

Google is aiming to gamify exercise for kids ages 7 and up with a smartwatch that also offers digital engagement with parents. In other words, the Fitbit Ace LTE, unveiled Wednesday, aims to make everyone happy.

If your child loves video games but isn’t a big fan of exercise, a smartwatch can help combine the two activities. A library of original arcade games encourages and rewards exercise and play, generally focusing on consistency and effort rather than achieving a perfect activity streak.

For example, in a fishing game called “Smoky Lake,” the wearer casts and reels in a line. When the digital bait runs out, the wearer must walk a certain number of steps to get more. The watch tracks a range of physical activities, but by design, it doesn’t include typical exercise or health tracker metrics like calories or heart rate.

Parents who are skeptical of screen time and mobile phone use and want their kids to live active, independent lives may be attracted to the safety, privacy and communication features of Fitbit Ace LTE. With the new Fitbit Ace app, parents can call, text and voice message their kids on their Android or iOS smartphone, as well as see their kid’s real-time location. Parents can also manage and approve their kid’s contacts. Access to arcade games can be restricted to school hours or any time.

The Fitbit Ace LTE, which can be preordered on the Google Store or Amazon, will retail for $229.95, plus the cost of a monthly ($9.99) or annual ($119.99) data plan called the Fit Ace Pass. The watch does not require any activation fees, data plans from wireless carriers, or the purchase of a SIM card.

Google is touting the device as its first smartwatch designed for kids, emphasizing that it was built “from the ground up” with digital privacy, safety and wellness in mind. The Fitbit Ace 3, also aimed at kids, can’t make calls or send text messages on its own, and doesn’t offer any gaming options.

With the Fitbit Ace LTE, Google appears to be taking seriously widespread criticism that digital spaces and devices aren’t designed with teen safety in mind from the get-go: The new watch is undetectable by strangers, so kids wearing it shouldn’t receive unwanted messages or befriend strangers.

According to Google, the device will have no third-party ads or apps; location information that’s only visible to parents is discarded after 24 hours; activity and movement data is automatically deleted after up to 35 days; and Google says it doesn’t train its algorithms on user data.

The company has also included features to boost engagement, including a customizable creature called “Eazy” (think Tamagotchi). The more exercise goals kids achieve, the healthier and happier the character will be. Completing daily activities in one of the arcade games earns arcade tickets to customize Eazy’s clothes and home.

Whether Google has managed to strike a balance between fun and safety, engagement and happiness, will depend on how kids and their parents use the watch once it arrives in homes.

The Fitbit Ace LTE will be available to purchase from the Google Store and Amazon starting June 5th.