Google acquires Fitbit in US$2.1 billion deal

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November 2, 2019

Global technology giant Google has announced that it is to acquire wearable company Fitbit in a US$2.1 billion deal.

In a blog announcing the news, Google Senior Vice President of Devices and Services Rick Osterloh said that the Fitbit purchase is “an opportunity to invest even more in Wear OS as well as (to) introduce Made by Google wearable devices into the market.”

Under the deal, Fitbit will be joining Google, with a separate press release issued by Fitbit, advising that company will still take privacy for health and fitness data seriously, noting that “Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads.”

With Google having largely failed to break into the wearables market with its Wear OS platform, the acquisition will give Google a much stronger foundation to build on for future Android-integrated wearables devices.

The company’s strong focus on fitness tracking could also be integrated into Google’s existing Google Fit apps, offering Google a solid alternative to the Apple Watch’s deep fitness tracking integration with the iPhone.

The Fitbit purchase follows Google’s acquisition in January of smartwatch technology from Fossil based on technology that Fossil acquired when it bought wearable maker Misfit back in 2015.

14th September 2019 - World-first sees Fitbit integration into Singapore’s public health program

17th July 2019 - Google suspends Viagogo from paid-for global search results

10th March 2019 - Fitbit adds new products to its wearable technology portfolio

22nd August 2018 - Google Fit update incorporates World Health Organization activity goals

3rd May 2018 - Google acknowledges Australasian Leisure Management as a global news source

3rd April 2017 - Google launches new booking service for fitness classes

19th March 2017 - Fitness trackers work best when linked with personal training

12th April 2016 - Tennis Australia announces Fitbit as new Cardio Tennis partner

8th January 2016 - FitBit sued over claims of misleading heart rate tracking

2nd November 2014 - Google launches fitness app to take on Apple and Samsung

17th March 2014 - Technogym announces Fitbit integration

15th January 2014 - Technogym launches Google Glass controlled treadmill

19th November 2013 - Fitbit launches new pink Fitbit Flex

25th January 2013 - Fitbit to launch new wristband activity tracker

2nd July 2012 - Fitbit launches technology products in Australia

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