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Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

reuters.com

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Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#241

Post by VectorLock »

bovermyer wrote: post #14
MaximumMadness wrote: post #3

Every person I've talked to over at Fitbit (pre-this news) has been down on the company. Sounds like they've had trouble effectively scaling software/new hardware to the level of success that the initial device had. While this could easily be another money sink for Google as they attempt to figure out some sort of Android wearable, it also has the potential to be an Instagram level-acquisition. Non-Apple wearables se…

My Charge 3 has been really solid since I got it back in February. Other than having to restart it once or twice to fix the display not working, I haven't had any issues with it.

Hows that spO2 sensor working?

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#242

Post by quickthrower2 »

TimMurnaghan wrote: post #76

Anybody 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.

Wait for Google to do the takeover, then do a Google takeout to get your data.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#243

Post by obmelvin »

neves wrote: post #231
zeta0134 wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I do not own a Fitbit, but on my older Pebble, the music integration feature allows me to play/pause the music, switch tracks (to skip that one song in the playlist I should really remember to remove), and adjust the volume. When I'm working out or doing yardwork, it's handy to have access to these things on my wristwatch rather than trying to fiddle with the phone in my pocket. It's sounds like the most minor conven…

I think any bluetooth headphone can do this. That's why the fitness trackers don't implement it.

The GP is talking about using the fitbit device as the source of music

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#244

Post by burnte »

zamalek wrote: post #141
not2b wrote: post #91

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.

If you own a Fitbit (I do), it's great news. Fitbit have done an unmatched job of destroying the device already. I was honestly considering buying a different device already. They don't support Spotify, or really any music app except the one (which I don't remember). Their subscription service provides no real value at all. Their devices track heart rate and nothing else. They simply don't innovate at all.

Spotify literally comes preinstalled on the Versa 2.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#245

Post by colechristensen »

aluminussoma wrote: post #38

I would think that Google's first choice was Garmin. In my personal opinion, they have better watch products. It was reported last month that Fitbit engaged Qatalyst for a sale. I wonder who leaked the news to Reuters, which did not mention a price: was it Qatalyst, hoping to start a bidding war?

Garmin does quite a bit of business outside the consumer market which is way outside of Alphabet's wheelhouse.

For example, they have an aviation division which produces radars and glass cockpits for government and defense. If they were having trouble with their consumer lines (which by all appearances seem to be thriving) they might spin it off and sell it, but the whole company seems a bad match for an Alphabet acquisition.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#246

Post by olliej »

I was not happy to find the Fitbit only works by syncing through their service - eg they get all of your data, and vigorously opposed requests to just link to HealthKit and not upload data.

Now it seems they were deliberately making sure they had your data so they could (in effect) sell it.

I’ve held off on an Apple Watch for the longest time due to battery life and size, but it seems like that is now the only option. You can’t trust any company to have access to your data.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#247

Post by dTal »

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #62
TeMPOraL wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Given that your EOL'd Pebble currently uses servers maintained by an independent nonprofit using an open source stack, it's about as far from Google's influence as anything can be.

My EOL Pebble doesn't use any servers at all, with Gadgetbridge. Why should moving data from my watch to my phone, over bluetooth, require a server on the internet? Silliness.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#248

Post by at-fates-hands »

So glad I got my GF to get rid of her Fitbit. She had the first two models and both were a nightmare in terms of issues. I got her a Polar Vantage and she just loves the thing. Never had any issues with it and the data you can get out of their apps are incredible.

Re: Alphabet in bid to buy Fitbit

#250

Post by olliej »

tschellenbach wrote: post #130
not2b wrote: post #91

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.

yup, can't use my nest anymore on my ipad since their latest "round of improvements"

I just returned my nest thermostat the day after google acquired them. I already have to work hard to protect myself from google (and other privacy abusers), why would I want to give them a physical presence in my home?
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