Fitbit is about to be acquired by Google in an all-cash deal reportedly worth around $2.1 billion, the two companies announced today.
According to Engadget, Fitbit will be folded into Google, forming part of its hardware team, making a new generation of wearables. Judging from the statements made by Fitbit CEO James Park and Google’s hardware chief Rick Osterloh, future Fitbit devices will run Wear OS.
“With Google’s resources and global platform,” Park said, adding, “Fitbit will be able to accelerate innovation in the wearables category, scale faster and make health even more accessible.” While Osterloh continued, saying that the deal is an “opportunity to invest even more in Wear OS, as well as introduce Made by Google wearable devices.” Wear OS’ Sameer Samat said that the pair will mash Fitbit’s hardware and Google’s software smarts together.
Fitbit has announced that its devices will continue to be “platform-agnostic,” working with both iOS and Android devices in the future. Google has also said that “Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads,” although it will collect data, much as it does already with its other platforms.
Reports claim the deal is expected to close next year, pending all necessary approvals from regulators and Fitbit shareholders.
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