Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Fitbit is now officially part of Google

blog.fitbit.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

141–150 of 387 posts

Re: Fitbit is now officially part of Google

#141

Post by parliament32 »

valarauko wrote: post #138
wombat-man wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing at the specific knowledge some of these employees have is valued, and they probably wouldn't take kindly to having to study for a coding test just to keep their job. I'm guessing they automatically hire some, and interview others who are maybe less core to the business. They can always layoff later if it doesn't end up being a fit.

> I'm guessing at the specific knowledge some of these employees have is valued, and they probably wouldn't take kindly to having to study for a coding test just to keep their job. Genuine Q: even if the employees don't take kindly to it, does it matter?

Well yeah, otherwise they leave and take their friends with them. If that happens to enough of the engineering department Google is left with just a pile of IP and trademarks, and will have to scramble to fill those positions with internal talent (who will obviously not be as experienced in this specific field as the aqui-hires).

Acquiring the talent is a big part of these acquisitions, and it makes sense for Google to try to keep them happy.

Re: Fitbit is now officially part of Google

#142

Post by eins1234 »

judge2020 wrote: post #113
m00x wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a Fitbit and I love this acquisition. I want to be able to put my fitness data in the rest of the Google ecosystem. The more data Google has on me, the more use I get out of Google's tools. I really don't care that it has tons of data on me, Google has been super responsible of my data and its uses. The risk/reward is 100% worth.

The assurance that it's not going to be used for Ads is the only thing that makes this acceptable. Instead of it being on some random fitbit server on someone's Cloud, it'll be held securely on Google servers.

Really though, how long do we expect that arrangement to last? The Facebook WhatsApp thing makes it pretty clear to me that they can afford to walk back on that arrangement as soon as they feel they can afford to take the PR hit. For something with as small of a market share as Fitbit, I suspect that won't take very long at all.

Re: Fitbit is now officially part of Google

#143

Post by dvt »

capableweb wrote: post #137
wombat-man wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing at the specific knowledge some of these employees have is valued, and they probably wouldn't take kindly to having to study for a coding test just to keep their job. I'm guessing they automatically hire some, and interview others who are maybe less core to the business. They can always layoff later if it doesn't end up being a fit.

> They can always layoff later if it doesn't end up being a fit. Such a fucked up thing that that's legal in some parts of the world. "Ah I don't know if we should hire these people or not, let's just hire them now and if we don't need them, fire them later. We can tell them a week before or something" just fills the air with smug MBAs not understanding that some people work for a living, not for fun.

> Such a fucked up thing that that's legal in some parts of the world.

It's legal basically anywhere in the United States, as most states follow at-will employment laws. Is it even surprising that young people (20s-30s) job hop every 2-3 years?

Re: Fitbit is now officially part of Google

#144

Post by gretch »

gcblkjaidfj wrote: post #135
m00x wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a Fitbit and I love this acquisition. I want to be able to put my fitness data in the rest of the Google ecosystem. The more data Google has on me, the more use I get out of Google's tools. I really don't care that it has tons of data on me, Google has been super responsible of my data and its uses. The risk/reward is 100% worth.

that's some next level abusive relationship whitewashing. "google/apple data control monopolies are killing products i like. But that is fine because that makes those products cheap for google/apple and i love them."

The above user is only talking about their personal desires and opinions about Google. They don't speak on behalf of anyone else and don't pass judgement if G is 'good' or 'bad' for society as a whole.

You are claiming that their thoughts are only the result of abusive conditioning.

IMO, that's an extremely arrogant position - "oh, if you disagree with me, it must be because you are not smart enough to actually think for yourself"

Re: Fitbit is now officially part of Google

#145

Post by eins1234 »

m00x wrote: post #108
tomComb wrote: post #93

I'm sure the sentiment here will be very much against this acquisition, but keep in mind that Fitbit was getting killed and would likely have gone out of business without this. It is tough for a company like Fitbit to compete with Apple & Samsung. This should lead to more competition by making it possible for Fitbit to compete with Apple. If it doesn't then the acquisition was a failure for Google anyway - Fitbit's c…

I have a Fitbit and I love this acquisition. I want to be able to put my fitness data in the rest of the Google ecosystem. The more data Google has on me, the more use I get out of Google's tools. I really don't care that it has tons of data on me, Google has been super responsible of my data and its uses. The risk/reward is 100% worth.

I read this honestly expecting a /s at the end.

If you told me this was a failed attempt at obvious sarcasm now, I'd totally still believe you.

Re: Fitbit is now officially part of Google

#146

Post by schoolornot »

capableweb wrote: post #137
wombat-man wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm guessing at the specific knowledge some of these employees have is valued, and they probably wouldn't take kindly to having to study for a coding test just to keep their job. I'm guessing they automatically hire some, and interview others who are maybe less core to the business. They can always layoff later if it doesn't end up being a fit.

> They can always layoff later if it doesn't end up being a fit. Such a fucked up thing that that's legal in some parts of the world. "Ah I don't know if we should hire these people or not, let's just hire them now and if we don't need them, fire them later. We can tell them a week before or something" just fills the air with smug MBAs not understanding that some people work for a living, not for fun.

I take it you’ve never dealt with conflicting cultures post-acquisition. I have and it was extremely frustrating fighting with people to follow and respect the parent company’s conventions. At some point you realize that someone is so set in their ways they are affecting the team’s deliverables.

Re: Fitbit is now officially part of Google

#147

Post by mav3rick »

Johnyma22 wrote: post #133
missedthecue wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

whats wrong with Google Pixel

Is Google Pixel the phone or a tablet? Is Chrome a browser of OS?

iPad Pro - Phone or Tablet ? For fun or for PROfessionals ? Airpods - Earbuds or Headphones ?

Re: Fitbit is now officially part of Google

#148

Post by ipsum2 »

noncoml wrote: post #117

It's becoming more and more difficult to keep away from Google eyes these days. Picasa, Waze, Nest, Fitbit where all companies whose products I used before the acquisition.

What other products are you using that aren't acquired by Google yet? Asking for my stock investments.

Re: Fitbit is now officially part of Google

#149

Post by mav3rick »

eins1234 wrote: post #145
m00x wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a Fitbit and I love this acquisition. I want to be able to put my fitness data in the rest of the Google ecosystem. The more data Google has on me, the more use I get out of Google's tools. I really don't care that it has tons of data on me, Google has been super responsible of my data and its uses. The risk/reward is 100% worth.

I read this honestly expecting a /s at the end. If you told me this was a failed attempt at obvious sarcasm now, I'd totally still believe you.

What has Google done with your data ? Even I was expecting a /s at the end of your comment.

Re: Fitbit is now officially part of Google

#150

Post by at-fates-hands »

dvt wrote: post #143
capableweb wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> They can always layoff later if it doesn't end up being a fit. Such a fucked up thing that that's legal in some parts of the world. "Ah I don't know if we should hire these people or not, let's just hire them now and if we don't need them, fire them later. We can tell them a week before or something" just fills the air with smug MBAs not understanding that some people work for a living, not for fun.

> Such a fucked up thing that that's legal in some parts of the world. It's legal basically anywhere in the United States, as most states follow at-will employment laws. Is it even surprising that young people (20s-30s) job hop every 2-3 years?

They've been talking about a 100% transient (read: contract) worker population for some time now.

A lot of the developers I know rotate between contracting and FTE work. They're FTE timeframes line up with your assertion. They stay at one place, get some new tech knowledge, work a few projects and then move on after a few years.

The think the age range has greatly expanded though since most of my group is in their mid 30's now. Maybe more people are starting to contract younger so to them, they see it as a more normalized work career than some other people who want to get one gig, settle in and be there for 20+ years?

Post reply on HN