Fitbit’s new heart monitoring algorithm reveals Google’s plan to dethrone the Apple Watch

Fitbit has just vaulted over a huge hurdle: it can now continuously monitor users’ heart rhythms. This was authorized by the US’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — and takes the wearable company a step closer to combating the Apple Watch. Google — the owner of Fitbit — declared that the FDA authorized the use of its new PPG (photoplethysmography) algorithm. This is used to identify atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm. The reason monitoring for t