3 ms·

Notably Fitbit and AR are now dead: https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/10/24033994/google-reorganization-fitbit-park-friedman-ar-layoffs https://www.theverge.com/2

Notably Fitbit and AR are now dead: https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/10/24033994/google-reorganization-fitbit-park-friedman-ar-layoffs https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/10/24033994/google-reorganiz...

ajmurmann 3y ago
Is there a good explanation for why Google started Pixel Watch when they already had FitBit? I would have understood a rebranding of FitBit to Pixel Watch, but it seems like that's not what happened.
- modeless 3y ago
  I'm sure Pixel Watch as a project predates the acquisition. Garden variety corporate turf war.
  - refulgentis 3y ago
    Correct-ish (that's public record so I don't feel bad saying it), but you all are underestimating the ability to level up a hardware division instantly with the kind of expertise Fitbit had, and brand name. Pixel Watch doesn't happen without Fitbit. Here, they seem to be just trimming the people up top, which I deeply support. These are millionaires
- choppaface 3y ago
  Not the entire answer but apparently Pixel watch massively outperformed Fitbit as of late: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/pixel-watch-sales-power-google-to-no-2-in-worldwide-wearables-marketshare/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/pixel-watch-sales-po...
  - technofiend 3y ago
    Even so, if my wife's fitbit dies she'll get a Garmin watch despite the fact she's an Android user. Google will eventually drop support of their watches too. The company is just too fickle to trust.
  - imp0cat 3y ago
    Was this before or after they stopped the sales of Fitbit gear in most countries?
- dreamcompiler 3y ago
  This is speculation based on how stupid-looking decisions typically happen at big companies: Internal politics. Probably there was an internal team outside the Fitbit group that wanted to build a watch. Their leader(s) had enough political clout to get the okay for a parallel effort, and apparently enough to eventually kill the Fitbit group entirely. Again this is pure speculation, but once a company exceeds a certain size it's amazing how much waste can occur because of infighting.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]

Notably Fitbit and AR are now dead: https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/10/24033994/google-reorganization-fitbit-park-friedman-ar-layoffs https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/10/24033994/google-reorganiz...

ajmurmann 3y ago

Is there a good explanation for why Google started Pixel Watch when they already had FitBit? I would have understood a rebranding of FitBit to Pixel Watch, but it seems like that's not what happened.

modeless 3y ago
I'm sure Pixel Watch as a project predates the acquisition. Garden variety corporate turf war.
- refulgentis 3y ago
  Correct-ish (that's public record so I don't feel bad saying it), but you all are underestimating the ability to level up a hardware division instantly with the kind of expertise Fitbit had, and brand name. Pixel Watch doesn't happen without Fitbit. Here, they seem to be just trimming the people up top, which I deeply support. These are millionaires
choppaface 3y ago
Not the entire answer but apparently Pixel watch massively outperformed Fitbit as of late: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/pixel-watch-sales-power-google-to-no-2-in-worldwide-wearables-marketshare/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/03/pixel-watch-sales-po...
- technofiend 3y ago
  Even so, if my wife's fitbit dies she'll get a Garmin watch despite the fact she's an Android user. Google will eventually drop support of their watches too. The company is just too fickle to trust.
- imp0cat 3y ago
  Was this before or after they stopped the sales of Fitbit gear in most countries?
dreamcompiler 3y ago
This is speculation based on how stupid-looking decisions typically happen at big companies: Internal politics. Probably there was an internal team outside the Fitbit group that wanted to build a watch. Their leader(s) had enough political clout to get the okay for a parallel effort, and apparently enough to eventually kill the Fitbit group entirely. Again this is pure speculation, but once a company exceeds a certain size it's amazing how much waste can occur because of infighting.
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]