Fitbit smartwatches now detect snoring and other loud noises | Engadget

Your Fitbit smartwatch might just let you know if you or your partner is snoring too loudly. 9to5Google Fitbit is rolling out a promised “Snore & Noise Detect” feature that uses the microphone on a Sense or Versa 3 smartwatch to detect both “snore-specific” sounds as well as the overall noise level. In theory, this might explain why you keep waking up or otherwise feel less-than-rested .

There are a number of requirements beyond the watch. You’ll need a Premium subscription at $10 per month or $80 per year. You’ll also have to keep your device reasonably well-charged. Fitbit notes the sampling occurs every few seconds, and recommends at least a 40 percent battery level before you go to sleep. You’ll also have to be comfortable with saving your snoring data, although you can delete it at any point.

The narrow hardware and service requirements dampen the usefulness of noise detection. All the same, it could be helpful if you’re already invested in the Fitbit ecosystem. It also gives Fitbit a potential advantage over rivals whose sleep tracking seldom accounts for noise.