Each firms reiterated pledges to be device-agnostic and to maintain consumer information non-public.
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This story initially appeared on Engadget
Google has accomplished its $2.1 billion buy of Fitbit, greater than a yr after the deal was first introduced. The EU authorised the acquisition in late December, clearing the best way in the direction of Google’s possession over what is probably the best-known model on the market for mainstream fitness-tracking units. Fitbit co-founder and CEO James Park reiterated in a letter right this moment that Fitbit would proceed to be device-agnostic, making merchandise that work with each iPhones and Android units.
Each Park and Google’s Rick Osterloh additionally reiterated that this deal was at all times about “units, not information.” That’s shorthand for Google and Fitbit’s pledge to maintain consumer information non-public going ahead; Park mentioned that “Fitbit customers’ well being and wellness information received’t be used for Google adverts and this information might be stored separate from different Google advert information.”
It’s not clear but precisely how Fitbit will change below Google’s possession; so far it looks like the model will proceed to be distinct from Google. That’s how issues appeared when Google bought Nest as properly, although — the sensible house model ultimately misplaced its standing as a separate firm although and is now only a sub-brand of Google’s {hardware} division. When the deal was first introduced, Osterloh famous the deal was a chance for the corporate to make “Made by Google” wearables, and feedback from each Osterloh and Park made it sound as if future units would run Google’s personal Put on OS software program. Whether or not which means Fitbit’s software program goes to be utterly changed by Google’s on future units stays to be seen.
Associated: Why Fitbit Prioritizes Folks Over Merchandise
Fitbit didn’t take the final yr off, releasing the Sense health watch again in September. It’s most likely essentially the most superior system Fitbit has made so far, including in a bunch of latest health-tracking options like EDA and pores and skin temperature sensors in addition to an up to date coronary heart price sensor. The Sense additionally has significantly better battery life than Samsung and Apple’s watches, although it’s additionally much more sluggish when launching apps or transferring by its interface. The Sense additionally now has the excellence of being the final main product Fitbit launched earlier than Google took over, so we’ll now be seeking to see how lengthy it takes earlier than Google’s affect begins displaying up in new merchandise.
