Google to buy Fitbit to expand in wearable technology

Washington: Google agreed on Friday to buy Fitbit for USD 2.1 billion in a deal giving the US tech giant a fresh entry in the wearable technology space and helping it ramp up its challenge to Apple.

The move comes with the internet search leader seeking to expand further into hardware, and with Fitbit struggling against rivals including Apple.

"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," Fitbit co-founder and chief executive James Park said in a statement by the two firms announcing the deal.

"Google is an ideal partner to advance our mission." Rick Osterloh, Google senior vice president for devices and services, said the deal means "bringing together the best hardware, software and AI" to bring more wearables to the marketplace.

"Google aspires to create tools that help people enhance their knowledge, success, health and happiness. This goal is closely aligned with Fitbit's long-time focus on wellness and helping people live healthier, more active lives," Osterloh said in a blog post.

The companies said the Fitbit platform would remain "platform-agnostic" and continue to serve Apple's iOS devices as well as those powered by the Google Android system.

While Fitbit helped popularize fitness bands and trackers, it has lost ground in recent years to rivals in the wearables market.

A survey by research firm IDC for the second quarter of 2019 found Fitbit in fourth place in a market led by China's Xiaomi leading the global market, followed by Apple –which makes the leading smartwatch –and Chinese-based Huawei.

Fitbit introduced its own smartwatch in 2017 but it has failed to keep pace with the Apple Watch, which shook up the market after its introduction in 2015.