Google says most Fitbit owners never used tap-to-pay on their band

Google says most people who own a Fitbit Charge 6 never used the tap-to-pay feature on it. That, according to Google, is the reason the new Fitbit Edge does not include it. The company's own numbers on how people use its bands drove the decision.

What changed

The feature is called NFC, short for near field communication. It is a short-range wireless link. It lets a watch or band pay at a checkout when you hold it near the card reader. The Fitbit Edge does not have it. Google's explanation is that the vast majority of Charge 6 owners never used NFC in the first place.

Who it affects

Anyone shopping for a Fitbit Edge who hoped to leave their wallet and phone at home is affected. If you like paying with your wrist, this band will not do it. Buyers who mainly want fitness tracking may never notice the gap.

What is not known yet

The material does not say how many Charge 6 owners were counted or what share is meant by the vast majority. It also does not say whether Google plans to add NFC to a later Fitbit band. Pricing and the full Fitbit Edge feature list were not part of this report.

What to do

• Look for NFC or tap-to-pay on the spec list before buying any fitness band.
• If wrist payments matter to you, do not assume the Fitbit Edge can do them.
• If you never pay with a watch, the missing feature may not matter.