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Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

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Re: Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

#651

Post by abeyer »

swader999 wrote: post #533
SlowRobotAhead wrote: post #473

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>You may think you have a product but you don't. I absolutely agree with everything. Here is the thing, total side topic - but Fitbit's product is really excellent! The packaging of the PCBs, the operating system, the tech, it's all really impressive. I know that means nothing in the larger scope, Google bought them for their data and mining potential. But the product is actually really cool. It appears to be simple,…

Can you run it with Bluetooth off logging locally and then sync periodically? I doubt it but haven't dove into it

The logging works ok while off bluetooth...but be aware that _any_ changes are basically impossible in that state. Even basic watch functionality like changing the time or setting an alarm require a bluetooth link, the software, and an internet connection back to the fitbit servers.

Re: Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

#652

Post by JohnFen »

dcgudeman wrote: post #639
kops wrote: post #628

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Should I be worried about the branding? Or the fact this behemoth of a company is buying it's way into every corner of my life. Close your eyes and imagine a few drones trying to see everything you do in your apartment. That's what it is. This ain't the internet I ordered :-(

You don't have to own or use any of Google's products.

People were using Fitbit, not Google, and now their data is in Google's hands without their consent. Even if they stop using their devices immediately, Google still has the data Fitbit collected previously.

It's a good lesson about being willing to share data: even if you trust the company you're sharing with, a company you don't trust may end up buying that company and getting your data after all.

If you're privacy-minded, the only safe option is to treat all companies as untrustworthy.

Re: Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

#653

Post by oarabbus_ »

cletus wrote: post #415
hcnews wrote: post #401

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sundar has been leading Google for a few years now. Larry/Sergey have been out and about for a while now. I am a Xoogler myself.

Yes and no. Sundar has no more vision than Larry does yet somehow is paid $200m+ a year and in my mind is the most unjustifiably overpaid CEO by a huge margin. At least Larry founded the company and contributed to turning into the behemoth it is. Sunday is a random associate product manager who somehow managed to ride the wave of Chrome to somehow becoming CEO.

Nadella seems much more capable as a visionary than Pichai

Re: Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

#654

Post by sandstrom »

windexh8er wrote: post #63

Garmin and Apple have the fitness market covered. Fitbit never had the hardcore fitness market Garmin executed into and Apple has always had a product that works well across the wearable and fitness. Between these two companies I can't imagine there's much of a niche Fitbit does better. On the extreme hardcore triathlon user even Garmin has taken a lot of market from Suunto and the like. I've owned a handful of Garmi…

Withings has some neat watches (and lots of other health-related products).

https://www.withings.com/se/en/watches

I'm currently using Fitbit, but has considered switching. This will probably catalyze it.

Re: Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

#655

Post by JohnFen »

baot wrote: post #632
impendia wrote: post #454

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I find this whole "they're selling your data" trope to be trite and just annoying at this point. Do you believe it to be mistaken ? Or true, but not worth caring about?

It's hard to believe that the data in my exercise tracker has real, fundamental worth when I see so much targeted advertising that fails to leverage the data they already have. I suppose it doesn't matter to Google if someone buys a location-specific ad for a place I used to live in despite them knowing where my phone, purchases, and electoral record say I live but then why would them knowing my heart rate help them…

> when I see so much targeted advertising that fails to leverage the data they already have.

Targeted advertising is far from the only thing Google wants data for.

Re: Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

#656

Post by JohnFen »

muro wrote: post #546
impendia wrote: post #454

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I find this whole "they're selling your data" trope to be trite and just annoying at this point. Do you believe it to be mistaken ? Or true, but not worth caring about?

From Google's privacy policy: We don’t share information that personally identifies you with advertisers, such as your name or email, unless you ask us to

But, like most companies, Google defines PII to exclude items (such as the Android advertising ID, for instance) that are PII.

Re: Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

#657

Post by SilkRoadie »

kops wrote: post #614

Well done Google. So now you won't spy on me only when I am typing something on a computer or phone but also when I breath or when my heart beats. *uck FitBit. There it is in the dustbin and everyone else I see wearing it is an idiot or is an idiot. I hope insurance companies don't make it mandatory to provide my google account details while signing up. But who am I fooling.... So much for "Don't be Evil"....RIP

This news made me discover where the line is. My Android device is always listening, it tracks my every journey knowing where I travel to and how I get there. Google scan my email and undoubted have traced the majority of my internet activity.

Now they want to know each time my heart beats, how many steps I take, how many calories I am burning etc. Nope. No thanks. Never been one to boycott devices but the Fitbit is now in the draw. I will be looking for a garmin this weekend.

Re: Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

#658

Post by paul7986 »

chipperyman573 wrote: post #648
dang wrote: post #436

We changed the URL from https://twitter.com/JonErlichman/status/1190252267406069760 to an article which adds at least a little more information. The press releases are https://blog.google/products/hardware/agreement-with-fitbit and https://investor.fitbit.com/press/press-releases/press-relea...

I see you replying to these threads sometimes, and you usually say "we" did thing. Are these decisions actually being made by a team and you the (possibly self selected) community lead? Or are you just saying "we" as in "I, someone whose actions represent the desires of the mod team, did thing"? Just curious, I've never had a problem with your changes.

I know I was told I can no longer talk negatively about Google on Hacker News nor point to a popular HN thread that puts Google in a bad light. I told my story for awhile on HN and lo and behold after doing so another student/inventor told a similar story with evidence of Google getting caught doing X.

I do wonder who is making up these rules and why do they care what I say about Google? If I talk frequently about the same Yahoo story one that is neutral and I am neutral are you going to tell me to stop/say that is spam too?

Re: Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

#659

Post by swiley »

qubex wrote: post #328
braythwayt wrote: post #126

John Gruber^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H Dan Lyons^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H Steve Ballmer had another colourful analogy, he used it in response to companies claiming that a merger would create a powerhouse to challenge the market leader: "It’s like taking the two guys who finished second and third in a 100-yard dash and tying their legs together and asking for a rematch, believing that now they’ll run faster." (Thanks to "raldi" f…

“Argument by analogy is very powerful and utterly fallacious” — my high-school Theory Of Knowledge teacher (Mr Dawson you’re the best) That said, I’m really not enthused by this under either the business (relevant case history: Nest) or privacy perspective.

Analogies aren’t universally bad but they’re not really arguments.

You need to have an argument for the two things being in the same category for them to make sense.

Re: Google Buys Fitbit for $2.1B

#660

Post by chipperyman573 »

paul7986 wrote: post #658
chipperyman573 wrote: post #648

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see you replying to these threads sometimes, and you usually say "we" did thing. Are these decisions actually being made by a team and you the (possibly self selected) community lead? Or are you just saying "we" as in "I, someone whose actions represent the desires of the mod team, did thing"? Just curious, I've never had a problem with your changes.

I know I was told I can no longer talk negatively about Google on Hacker News nor point to a popular HN thread that puts Google in a bad light. I told my story for awhile on HN and lo and behold after doing so another student/inventor told a similar story with evidence of Google getting caught doing X. I do wonder who is making up these rules and why do they care what I say about Google? If I talk frequently about th…

I think you may have replied to the wrong comment friend :)
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