Tech Brew Ride Home Fri. 11/01 - Google Acquires Fitbit
Nov 1, 2019
Google's bold $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit raises questions about privacy and health data. Apple TV+ launches with a unique subscription model, alongside mixed reviews for its original content. A national security investigation into TikTok hints at regulatory tensions between the U.S. and China. Meanwhile, Shopify's role in boosting sales showcases the impact of technology on business, while discussions around the historical ARPANET remind us of the ongoing challenges in digital security and social media regulation.
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Google's Wearable Ambitions
- Google acquired Fitbit for $2.1 billion, signaling its commitment to wearables.
- This acquisition follows Google's purchase of Fossil smartwatch technology, indicating a strategic move into the wearables market.
Data Privacy Concerns
- Google publicly stated it won't use Fitbit's health data for ads, raising skepticism due to past actions with Nest.
- This promise is reminiscent of Google's assurances about Nest data privacy, which were later broken.
Antitrust Scrutiny
- Google faces scrutiny over the Fitbit acquisition amidst antitrust concerns.
- The deal includes a steep penalty if antitrust approval fails, indicating the perceived risk.