Very bad news for anyone who has a Fitbit device. Google tends to destroy any "smart" devices they acquire; first they tie it more closely to their ecosystem, too much for comfort, then they remove features, then they get bored and neglect it, then you have a brick.
Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
91–100 of 538 posts
Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
#92I don't really get what Fitbit offers to Google...seems like they could easily build from scratch what Fitbit currently offers. And the Fitbit brand doesn't seem particularly strong right now...
I agree they could probably build out the hardware and software, but they'll be getting a wealth of data from this which is pretty invaluable.
Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
#93I don't really get what Fitbit offers to Google...seems like they could easily build from scratch what Fitbit currently offers. And the Fitbit brand doesn't seem particularly strong right now...
My impression would be that as for the huge amount of data about the activity of individuals.
Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
#94Anybody know a good way to get your data out of fitbit? I've got a year's worth of decent data and it's obviously at risk if google shutter it. Also I don't want them to have it - so I guess I'm in the market for something independent.
Fitbit is pretty good about this. I've noticed that some derived values such as resting heart rate are not available for export, but the important stuff all seems to be there.
Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
#95Anybody know a good way to get your data out of fitbit? I've got a year's worth of decent data and it's obviously at risk if google shutter it. Also I don't want them to have it - so I guess I'm in the market for something independent.
you can download it from fitbit, though the daily activity is structured in a hostile json format.
Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
#96Yay, can't wait for my FitBit to be EOL'd randomly.
I can't wait for my already EOL'd Pebble that was acquired by FitBit to be resurrected as a surveillance/adtech nightmare by Google.
I can't wait for my Pebble 2 I paid for via crowdfunding (shhh I know I got refunded) to get manufactured and shipped before the company decided to go out of business, not delivering the product they hyped, and sell themselves to FitBit.
Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
#97Fitbit is damaged goods. Just read https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Ionic/Would-you-buy-Fitbit-I... - I own one of these along with many unsatisfied customers. Google is buying technical debt.
Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
#98Very bad news for anyone who has a Fitbit device. Google tends to destroy any "smart" devices they acquire; first they tie it more closely to their ecosystem, too much for comfort, then they remove features, then they get bored and neglect it, then you have a brick.
There is not much "feature" in a Fitbit. You can't even correct simple numeric values of an exercise, such as the ran distance or the bodyfat percentage of the scale reading.
Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
#99Given Android, I'm not. hopeful that my Fitbit will continue to work with my iPhone, long term.
Edit: I guess Android Wear does work with iOS, so maybe I'm being overly concerned about this aspect.
Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit
#100Location tracking for better ad targeting if anyone is curious why they want fitbit
They already have that from your phone.
If you have an android device, no explanation needed. If you use an iPhone, unless you abstain from Google products completely, they have it from maps, wifi AP MACs, etc.