Google-owner Alphabet in Talks To Buy Fitbit, Says Reuters (yahoo.com) 32
Google owner Alphabet has made an offer to acquire U.S. wearable device maker Fitbit, as it eyes a slice of the crowded market for fitness trackers and smartwatches, Reuters reported Monday, citing familiar with the matter. From the report: While Google has joined other major technology companies such as Apple and Samsung in developing smart phones, it has yet to develop any wearable offerings. There is no certainty that the negotiations between Google and Fitbit will lead to any deal, the sources said, asking not to be identified because the matter is confidential.
Well, at least they warned us... (Score:3)
...when they dropped the 'don't be evil' statement
I mean, with Apple already scooping up all that personal data, what responsibly evil mega-corporation could take a pass on fitbit?
Re:Well, at least they warned us... (Score:4, Interesting)
Was there a "don't be stupid" motto that Google also dropped around the same time?
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Re:Well, at least they warned us... (Score:4, Interesting)
Compared to Google and Especially Facebook. Apple has been really good stewards of the data the collect on me.
Most location targeted ads seem to be about a hundred miles away from me, because they are based on my ISP location and not me. While Apple will only tell me what is local when I actually ask them for what is nearby. Then I still do not get an influx of similar results.
It is like Apple Business model isn't centered around advertising, but selling products.
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Compared to Google and Especially Facebook. Apple has been really good stewards of the data the collect on me.
I don't understand this concept. If someone steals something from you how they use what they stole is generally not the salient issue. What matters is the **theft** in the first place. Buuutt they gave it to charity or used the proceeds to buy food instead of hookers and blow... All seems fairly flimsy and hollow.
Most location targeted ads seem to be about a hundred miles away from me, because they are based on my ISP location and not me.
Is this the same Apple that automatically scans all WiFi access points and cell towers within range uploading it all to Apple without asking first in an attempt to continuously crowd source you
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I was dismayed and I wasn't even thinking about it from that angle. Fitbit has the whole fda fast track thing going, and they've done NOTHING with it that I can see. My Versa doesn't support a warning if it sees a troubling heart rate, nor does it offer fall detection, and while it has an 02 sensor, it basically only uses it to derive a completely useless "sleep quality" number that means nothing. Hearing Google was interested in them just made me think of more abandoned features, but yeah, the whole data p
Current mottoes of the leading corporate cancers? (Score:3)
Concentrated power leads to abuse, so my basic reaction is highly negative. I used to be a big fan of the google, but no longer. REAL competition is a good thing, not one giant player in each niche. With constant efforts to enlarge each niche, sometimes by swallowing other niches.
However your [garyisabusyguy's] comment reminded me of the motto I figured out after a dinner with a former friend who was in the processing of vanishing into GoogleLand. I've extended it based on The Four and a bit of meandering
We need Medicare for all before GOP care uses this (Score:1)
We need Medicare for all before GOP care uses this blacklisting.
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P. J. O'Rourke (2007). “Age and Guile Beat Youth, Innocence, and a Bad Haircut”, p.228, Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
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“If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free.”
Yeah. So we have all those seniors on Medicare refusing their coverage because it's more expensive than private insurance.
Not.
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Yeah. So we have all those seniors on Medicare refusing their coverage because it's more expensive than private insurance.
Seniors aren't seen the healthcare issues because with the small number of people it pays for, the health service always know that the government will pay them. When the government pays for everyone, you then see the rationing and delayed treatment for healthcare. As costs spiral upwards, that's the reality of medicare for all.
Let me give you an example, a person requiring a stent in the US for a heart attack is likely to get it within 72h if it's serious. In Canada, if their treatment can be delayed vi
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Let me give you an example, a person requiring a stent in the US for a heart attack is likely to get it within 72h if it's serious. In Canada, if their treatment can be delayed via medications they will be put on them and their stent treatment will be delayed up to 3 months for critical care 1 and 2 patients.
Canada does less unneeded stents and bypass surgeries, but their survival rate is now basically the same as the US.
5mo and change. In the US, it's less than 35 days.
Unless you're uninsured. Or your insurance weasels out of coverage.
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Canada does less unneeded stents and bypass surgeries, but their survival rate is now basically the same as the US.
That's because the unneeded stent is no longer needed after the person dies. Happens a lot, was a big scandal in Quebec a few years ago.
Unless you're uninsured. Or your insurance weasels out of coverage.
Guess what? They do that when the government owns healthcare too. Maybe you can enjoy the UK's new system, where if you hold the wrong opinions they'll simply refuse to treat you.
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Over here, about a third per head of what you pay.
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Hope you enjoy waiting in line like we do up here in Canada then.
it has yet to develop any wearable offerings. (Score:2)
"it has yet to develop any [sucessful] wearable offerings."
Don't forget Google Glasses.
Or those cardboard 3d goggles that you put your phone in.
The smart eyeglasses I want? (Score:2)
I want smart eyeglasses that change their shape and focus based on what I am doing. In particular, reading tiny print would mutate into magnifying glasses. However that made me think about a telephoto-lens mode when I'm staring at some distant object. Built-in night vision, too? (And now combined with the old smart hat idea with the noise-cancelling ear covers and sleeping mode...)
However, the basic idea behind Google Glass is probably inevitable. Still not clear to me how the google bollixed it up so thoro
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Cardboard is really successful considering that it is literally just a piece of cardboard (with 2 cheap plastic lenses).
Daydream... not so much.
Last push to get me to stop using my Fitbit (Score:2)
The screen stopped working ages ago and in general it is a minor annoyance to remember, but it was mildly interesting data and helped get me lots of cash awards and a discount on my health insurance.
Was never a fan of the inability to get my raw data myself and the general intrusiveness of the health programs, but at least I directly got a few hundred dollars per year directly.
But tie it to Google and I'm definitely out.
I miss my Pebble (Score:2)
The Pebble was the ultimate programmable watch. They even had Node.js running native just before the Fitbit acquisition.
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I loved my pebble too. I stopped wearing it though because they just never improved screen tech. It paled in comparison to others with its massive beazles. The OS was great though and the ability to make apps for it myself was very cool.
If I could get the pebble with the apple watch band and an android wear screen I would be very happy. Just amazes me how no ones quite dialed this in yet. The closest I have come so far is apple watch only because it feels good on my wrist. I dont even really know its there
Now you did it (Score:1)
The real reason (Score:2)
Will be throwing my FitBit in the trash (Score:1)
Keyword: Trackers... (Score:2)
...I know where you were/are... ;)
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