Google to Acquire Apple Watch Competitor Fitbit for $2.1 Billion [Updated]

Update: Fitbit today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Google for approximately $2.1 billion.

James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit:

More than 12 years ago, we set an audacious company vision – to make everyone in the world healthier. Today, I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved towards reaching that goal. We have built a trusted brand that supports more than 28 million active users around the globe who rely on our products to live a healthier, more active life. Google is an ideal partner to advance our mission. With Google's resources and global platform, Fitbit will be able to accelerate innovation in the wearables category, scale faster, and make health even more accessible to everyone. I could not be more excited for what lies ahead.

Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice President, Devices & Services at Google:

Fitbit has been a true pioneer in the industry and has created terrific products, experiences and a vibrant community of users. We're looking forward to working with the incredible talent at Fitbit, and bringing together the best hardware, software and AI, to build wearables to help even more people around the world.

Fitbit will continue to remain platform-agnostic across both Android and iOS, and the company says Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads.

The transaction is expected to close in 2020, subject to regulatory approvals.



Google is in talks to acquire popular fitness tracker maker Fitbit, according to Reuters, which could help the company better compete with the Apple Watch along with its existing Wear OS smart watch platform.

apple watch vs fitbit
The report claims there is no certainty that the negotiations between Google parent company Alphabet and Fitbit will lead to any deal, and the exact price that Google has offered for Fitbit is unknown at this time.

Google does not currently sell any own-brand fitness trackers or smart watches, but its Wear OS platform runs on smart watches sold by several third-party brands, such as LG, Huawei, and Fossil.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 10
Tags: Fitbit, Google
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Top Rated Comments

BWhaler Avatar
67 months ago
A spyware advertising company will have real-time access to my health information?

Hard pass.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
im2fast4u Avatar
67 months ago
Still can’t beat Apple Watch
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mtneer Avatar
67 months ago
I think we can call it on Fitbit if this happens. I don't see Google (and its employees) having the focus necessary to succeed. Fitbit will languish around for a few years and then either quietly die, or be spun off into some unknown Chinese OEM who wants to buy a name.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
H3LL5P4WN Avatar
67 months ago
So the company that allows leaky apps and has a crappy wearable OS, wants to buy the company that makes a leaky wearable OS and crappy wearables.

There isn't enough popcorn in the world.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
aero7 Avatar
67 months ago
Competitor? Now that’s cute.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EchoplexSE Avatar
67 months ago
RIP Fitbit ?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)