Fitbit devices appear on the Google Store for the first time
Google first unveiled plans to acquire Fitbit back in late 2019; however, it could only state that it had actually bought the company in January 2021. The deal has gone through despite scrutiny by bodies such as the U.S. Justice Department, possibly in response to legislator concerns over antitrust issues that might arise from Google's increased hold over the wearables market as a result.
Nevertheless, the Mountain View giant has seen its way clear to adding a section on its Store website for existing Fitbit devices. It may prove a precursor to launching the first product developed as a result of collaboration between the 2 firms in question.
Therefore, consumers can now order a Charge 4, Versa 3, first-gen Sense or Inspire 2 through the Google Store, with other Fitbit devices accessible through a dedicated link on the same site. Users can also now learn more about Fitbit Premium via a portal on the Store.
There is not much sign of Google input into this hardware otherwise at present, besides a new ability to use its Assistant included with the Fitbit OS 5.1 update. In addition, this change has not taken effect on every national version of the Store as yet: for example, Fitbits are visible and orderable on the US site, but not the Irish one, at present.
Nevertheless, their appearance on Google's retail platform at all might raise concern among existing Fitbit users as to this company's new role within the search behemoth - or, rather, that of their own personal health data.
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