As reported a little over a month ago, Fitbit is currently struggling, was looking for a buyer, and that it could be Google. Now, Reuters confirms the interest of the firm of Mountain View company, which would have already taken action.
Relaunch WearOS
The acquisition of Fitbit by Google could help revive the two players in the wearable market. Fitbit suffers from fierce competition in this industry and has seen its market share fall. Google is not in great shape either with regard to connected watches and bracelets. Its operating system Wear OS is struggling to win, especially because of the success of the Apple Watch, but also the Samsung devices, which run on Tizen, its home software.
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It seems that the Mountain View company aims to become a major player in the market. Last January, Google paid $40 million to Fossil for a technology that would be related to hybrid connected watches. From now on, it could acquire Fitbit’s patents and talents. Of course, nothing is done yet. Fitbit could refuse Google offer and long negotiations could begin.
Appleâs experience with the Apple Watch, meanwhile, suggests that health is fast becoming a killer-app for smartwatches. And itâs an area that Fitbit has been increasingly focused on for its own fitness trackers. However, Fitbitâs track record with smart watches is more patchy, despite acquiring smartwatch manufacturer Pebble in 2016. For example, the Fitbit Versa 2, was a great fitness tracker but an average smartwatch.
