3 ms·

A long and success history of acquisitions doesn't mean Google has any advantage of taking a poorly performing acquisition (Fitbit) and stacking it into a faili

A long and success history of acquisitions doesn't mean Google has any advantage of taking a poorly performing acquisition (Fitbit) and stacking it into a failing division of theirs (Wear OS). Google would be better off starting over. But Google wants data and Fitbit comes with data for cheap, IMO.

jsight 7y ago
Alternatively, you could view this as a recognition that Wear OS has failed along with a plan to move to Fitbit as a software platform. If they can combine Fitbit's software and community with better hardware, they might actually have a good product here. Or they could just end up with Wear OS on worse hardware and a disaster.
dyarosla 7y ago
Fitbit also comes with users, brand recognition and goodwill.
- OnlineGladiator 7y ago
  How valuable is the brand these days? It's certainly already declining, and many people consider their products inferior quality. I am currently wearing a fitbit and have already had to deal with it not working twice today, and it's not even noon.
  - dyarosla 7y ago
    Fitbit maintains #2 market share in fitness watches and has always been a non-premium quality, mid-to-low end entry wearable.
    - OnlineGladiator 7y ago
      Maybe it's because I'm not a marketing guy, but when has buying the less-than-best company at anything ever resulted in turning it around to earn more marketshare? Especially when that brand is already known for lower quality. If you buy the first loser, you're just paying more to lose. Also according to this Fitbit is #5 in terms of devices sold (which make them look much worse when you consider how cheap some of their products are), and they have been steadily declining for years. They went from 45% just 5 years ago to 6% this year. That is horrible. Unless Google has an ulterior motive, like primarily using FitBit as a source of data for targeted ads, this is a bad acquisition. https://www.statista.com/statistics/435944/quarterly-wearables-shipments-worldwide-market-share-by-vendor/ https://www.statista.com/statistics/435944/quarterly-wearabl...

jsight 7y ago

Alternatively, you could view this as a recognition that Wear OS has failed along with a plan to move to Fitbit as a software platform. If they can combine Fitbit's software and community with better hardware, they might actually have a good product here. Or they could just end up with Wear OS on worse hardware and a disaster.

dyarosla 7y ago

Fitbit also comes with users, brand recognition and goodwill.

OnlineGladiator 7y ago
How valuable is the brand these days? It's certainly already declining, and many people consider their products inferior quality. I am currently wearing a fitbit and have already had to deal with it not working twice today, and it's not even noon.
- dyarosla 7y ago
  Fitbit maintains #2 market share in fitness watches and has always been a non-premium quality, mid-to-low end entry wearable.
  - OnlineGladiator 7y ago
    Maybe it's because I'm not a marketing guy, but when has buying the less-than-best company at anything ever resulted in turning it around to earn more marketshare? Especially when that brand is already known for lower quality. If you buy the first loser, you're just paying more to lose. Also according to this Fitbit is #5 in terms of devices sold (which make them look much worse when you consider how cheap some of their products are), and they have been steadily declining for years. They went from 45% just 5 years ago to 6% this year. That is horrible. Unless Google has an ulterior motive, like primarily using FitBit as a source of data for targeted ads, this is a bad acquisition. https://www.statista.com/statistics/435944/quarterly-wearables-shipments-worldwide-market-share-by-vendor/ https://www.statista.com/statistics/435944/quarterly-wearabl...