Google Denies Report That It's Discontinuing Fitbit Products (arstechnica.com) 17
Google is denying a recent report that it is no longer making Fitbit smartwatches. From a report: A company spokesperson told Ars Technica today that Google has no current plans to discontinue the Fitbit Sense or Fitbit Versa product lines. On Sunday, TechRadar published an article titled "RIP Fitbit smartwatches -- an end we could see coming a mile away." The article noted last week's announcement of the new Google Pixel Watch 3. Notably, the watch from Google, which acquired Fitbit in 2019, gives users free access to the Daily Readiness Score, a feature that previously required a Fitbit Premium subscription (Pixel Watch 3 owners also get six free months of Fitbit Premium). The publication said that Fitbit has been "consigned to wearable history" and reported: "Google quietly confirmed that there would never be another Fitbit Sense or Versa model produced. From now on, Fitbit-branded devices will be relegated to Google's best fitness trackers: the Fitbit Inspire, Luxe, and Charge ranges. The smartwatch form factor would be exclusively reserved for the Pixel Watch line."
Wait, fitbit still exists? (Score:2)
I had no idea they were still around, or that google had bought them.
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Yeah the big difference between when the fitbit came out and now, is you now have Apple and Samsung watches that can do everything the fitbits can plus have deep integration with their companion phones and entire app store ecosystems. Its hard to justify the purchase, when apple and samsungs offerings can literally save your life in the event of a heart attack (They'll call an ambulance)
karma (Score:3, Insightful)
Google is denying a recent report that it is no longer making Fitbit smartwatches.
Aww poor Google, aching from its own reputation.
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... not really sure why my remark was modded down. Has Google fixed its reputation of cancelling projects? Did I miss a memo?
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Google denied Stadia's cancelling too... (Score:5, Informative)
https://www.techspot.com/news/... [techspot.com]
"In context: In what is more evidence that you shouldn't believe anonymous online rumors, Google has confirmed it is not planning on shutting down its Stadia game streaming service this summer. The tech giant says it is working on bringing more "great games" to the platform, though it's understandable why reports of Stadia's death were so convincing.
The rumor stems from a couple of posts by the same user on a Stadia fan group on Facebook. They were reprinted by Cody Ogden from the Killed by Google Twitter account, part of the website, also called Killed by Google, which lists the 267 apps, services, and pieces of hardware the company has shuttered over the years.
ðY pic.twitter.com/p0ONYBDXCI
--- Killed by Google ðYOEðYðY¦ (@killedbygoogle) July 28, 2022
"
A couple of months later...
https://www.theverge.com/23380... [theverge.com]
"RIP Google Stadia: the latest news on the discontinued cloud gaming service
Google announced on September 29th, 2022, that its Stadia cloud game streaming service will be terminated in late January 2023. You can no longer make purchases through the platform, and notably, Google is offering refunds to gamers for everything that they might have purchased during its three-year existence: controllers, games, and all."
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...shutting down its Stadia game streaming service this summer
That's just what I was thinking. They said the same about Stadia, and yet it was canceled. To be fair, they didn't do it in the summer, but I think it's fair to say that Fitbit's days are probably numbered. Especially after all the feature removals that Google has been pulling with Fitbit.
Re: Google denied Stadia's cancelling too... (Score:2)
It was an open secret at Google that Stadia was getting killed, when I worked there. Had a coworker join their team and then come back before the kill.
I'm no longer there and fo have a Fibit. So does my mother. My husband bought a cheap Chinese knock off that I advised against. But I'm starting to think he was right.
One big difference between Fitbits & Pixel wat (Score:2)
It's one reason I have avoided upgrading to a "real" smart watch at this time. I don't want to be forced to charge the thing every day.
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Agreed - maybe stay away from the 'flagship' watches, and look at Garmin and the like. My Venu 2 lasts a week between charges (I think it's quoted at "up to 10 days"). My wife has to charge her apple watch pretty much every day.
Once you get rid of the flashy stuff, smart watches are actually quite well behaved.
Re: One big difference between Fitbits & Pixel (Score:2)
My Charge 5 was great until a few days ago. The screen died. I made a warranty claim today. There were 3 days left on the warranty.
talk of cancellations cancelled (Score:2)
Google cancelled talk of cancellations, they actually have no idea if they are cancelling Fitbit yet.
What's worse is it was a rumor everyone believed! (Score:2)
The fitbit products were great and red hot in their day....then Google bought them and the interface hasn't changed since nor have there been any updates. When I bought my Fitbit watch, it was so much better than the Apple watch for being a useful, practical device. However, Apple steadly improved and Google has largely stagnated. I still
They just released a new one (Score:2)
Google released a Fitbit for kids last may: https://mashable.com/article/g... [mashable.com]
But, tbh, I wouldn't be surprised if they end up absorbing Fitbit under Pixel's brand sooner or later.
Re: They just released a new one (Score:2)
As long as it's just a branding thing, who cares. But I'm not buying any wearable device with 24h battery life, regardless of who makes it or what it's branded as.