Google has partnered with The Pokémon Company to launch a special edition Fitbit Air fitness tracker integrated with the Pokémon Sleep mobile game.
The wearable device costs $129 and is available for pre-order, with initial deliveries scheduled to begin on September 15. The standard version of the Fitbit Air is priced at $99.
Pokémon Sleep integration
The collaboration allows users to turn their nightly rest into a part of the gaming experience. Throughout the day, the Fitbit Air continuously tracks a user's physical activity, heart rate, and cardiovascular load.
At night, the device monitors the duration and quality of the wearer's rest. The hardware then automatically synchronizes these measurements with both Google Health and the Pokémon Sleep application.
The mobile game uses this health data to advance the player's progress. Based on their resting habits, users can evolve Snorlax, a large creature famous in the franchise for sleeping all day, and discover new Pokémon.
30th anniversary release
Google and The Pokémon Company released the special edition tracker to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, which began as a pair of role-playing games on the Nintendo Game Boy in 1996.
The Japanese entertainment franchise has since expanded into trading card games, animated television series, films, and mobile applications like Pokémon Sleep, which rewards users for maintaining consistent resting schedules.
The new Fitbit release follows a broader industry trend toward minimalist wearables. Screenless fitness bracelets are gaining popularity among consumers, with sales recently surging by 122 percent.
Compatible smartwatch alternatives
Players do not have to purchase the new special edition Fitbit Air to link a fitness tracker to their game. Pokémon Sleep already supports data synchronization with several of the most popular smartwatches on the market.
The sleep-tracking application is compatible with the Apple Watch, the Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Google's own Pixel Watch. Google also recently shared Fitbit Air technical data with accessory manufacturers.
