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Fitbit is doomed: Here's why everything Google buys turns to garbage (2019)

zdnet.com

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Re: Fitbit is doomed: Here's why everything Google buys turns to garbage (2019)

#41

Post by danaris »

ravenstine wrote: post #33

It's certainly possible that Google would kill FitBit, but I have a feeling they're looking far ahead and seeing the potential in being the predominant biometrics company. Biometrics may be the next frontier in how Silicon Valley will make money from our data. Run of the mill internet data mining has been done to death, but if Google can get everyone to wear devices that will provide health data to potential buyers,…

> Biometrics may be the next frontier in how Silicon Valley will make money from our data.

If that's the case, it's only likely to be so for a very few years before we start seeing at least the more progressive jurisdictions like California putting severe restrictions on how that data can be used—not just "with consent", but "at all", given how easy it is for them to tack any kind of "and we get to sell all your data" clause into a user agreement.

Re: Fitbit is doomed: Here's why everything Google buys turns to garbage (2019)

#42

Post by iujjkfjdkkdkf »

ghaff wrote: post #28
ar_lan wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> does anyone use google flights instead of travelocity Yes, absolutely. I don't even know what Travelocity is :) What surprises me is that people still use Expedia. Agreed, this is probably satire.

Why wouldn't people use Expedia? Honest question. I don't use it a lot; I usually book air and hotel direct. I do use other services as well on occasion but Expedia can be useful for discovery if nothing else.

All personal anecdotes but:

Flights - wierd fare classes that dont have the normal options re changes and cancellation, no recourse through the airline if there are any issues

Customer service - hours on hold, and you have to call them to change anything, the hotel/ airline wants nothing to do with you

Hotels- treated like a 3rd class citizen, no points, cant use your status if you have it, worst room, I have been charged extra "urban fees" at the hotel on these fares. Hotels (business hotels anyway) dont want you to use Expedia and treat you like shit if you do.

I expect they have a niche for infrequent, budget sensitive, travelers as I have seen deals on there, but if you travel regularly, or expect plans to change, stay away.

What I like about google flights is how minimally commercial it is, it really looks just like its reporting fares, not flashing promoted bundles of things in your face.

Re: Fitbit is doomed: Here's why everything Google buys turns to garbage (2019)

#43

Post by 015a »

(2019)

Go buy a Fitbit today. Incredibly, against all odds according to this article, you still can. They make new ones every 6 months. They may not have the high-performance 60hz display tech of the AW, but look past that and its a better experience than AW (and I use an iPhone; I still prefer Fitbit).

Week long battery life on all models. Truly continuous heart rate monitoring (versus AW's "I'll take a reading maybe once every five minutes unless you're working out"). Great range of devices, from $50 trackers to $300 super-watches (ALL of which are still cheaper than the $400 giga-watches that Apple physically cant not make). Sleep tracking, without worrying about battery life?

Apple Watches are a jewelry phone companion. That's what they do, and that has value, for some people. I've never seen that value. My value is specifically in fitness; Fitbit is Just Better at that.

Re: Fitbit is doomed: Here's why everything Google buys turns to garbage (2019)

#44

Post by DavidAdams »

iujjkfjdkkdkf wrote: post #4

I opened the article expecting to agree with it, then I got to the part about "does anyone use google flights instead of travelocity " and started to wonder if it was satire.

I had the exact same thought: #1 I use Google Flights all the time. Daily, sometimes. #2 Google Flights and Travelocity aren't comparable in their utility.

Re: Fitbit is doomed: Here's why everything Google buys turns to garbage (2019)

#45

Post by nltrace »

015a wrote: post #43

(2019) Go buy a Fitbit today. Incredibly, against all odds according to this article, you still can. They make new ones every 6 months. They may not have the high-performance 60hz display tech of the AW, but look past that and its a better experience than AW (and I use an iPhone; I still prefer Fitbit). Week long battery life on all models. Truly continuous heart rate monitoring (versus AW's "I'll take a reading mayb…

Why do people give their health data to Silicon Valley corporations? I just don't get it.

Didn't people train before the advent of "smart" watches?

Re: Fitbit is doomed: Here's why everything Google buys turns to garbage (2019)

#47

Post by v7p1Qbt1im »

nradov wrote: post #36
v7p1Qbt1im wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even if Google were to actually sell data (which they don‘t and never have. Selling targeting is way more profitable). They straight up legally couldn’t with health data because of regulation like HIPAA.

Google isn't a HIPAA covered entity in this context. The data gathered by consumer fitness trackers isn't legally considered protected health information under current federal regulation.

Oh. I wasn‘t aware. Good to know, thx. That seems like an oversight.

Re: Fitbit is doomed: Here's why everything Google buys turns to garbage (2019)

#48

Post by toomuchredbull »

nltrace wrote: post #45
015a wrote: post #43

(2019) Go buy a Fitbit today. Incredibly, against all odds according to this article, you still can. They make new ones every 6 months. They may not have the high-performance 60hz display tech of the AW, but look past that and its a better experience than AW (and I use an iPhone; I still prefer Fitbit). Week long battery life on all models. Truly continuous heart rate monitoring (versus AW's "I'll take a reading mayb…

Why do people give their health data to Silicon Valley corporations? I just don't get it. Didn't people train before the advent of "smart" watches?

I actually have the opposite complaint. I would like my doctor to have access to info from my Apple Watch. Certainly I trained before a smart watch but I didn't necessarily know how fast I was going, if my metrics (like v02 max) were improving, how its affecting my heart, etc. Why would I care if Tim Cook could theoretically look up my resting bpm?
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