Fitbit has officially announced the acquisition of Pebble's assets, including key personnel and intellectual property related to software and firmware development. The acquisition excludes the company’s hardware products. Pebble started as a massively successful Kickstarter campaign to make a functional smartwatch.
With this acquisition, Fitbit adds deep industry expertise in platform development that complements the company’s core discipline of innovative health and fitness features. The additional resources will facilitate the faster delivery of new products, features and functionality while introducing speed and efficiencies to develop the general purpose utility consumers value in a connected device. The acquisition will also accelerate the development of customized solutions and third party applications for Fitbit Group Health customers and partners, including researchers, employers and providers.
“With basic wearables getting smarter and smartwatches adding health and fitness capabilities, we see an opportunity to build on our strengths and extend our leadership position in the wearables category,” said James Park, CEO and co-founder of Fitbit. “With this acquisition, we’re well positioned to accelerate the expansion of our platform and ecosystem to make Fitbit a vital part of daily life for a wider set of consumers, as well as build the tools healthcare providers, insurers and employers need to more meaningfully integrate wearable technology into preventative and chronic care.”
Pebble also announced the acquisition and revealed that it is no longer promoting, manufacturing or selling devices.
What you need to know
● Pebble is no longer promoting, manufacturing, or selling any devices.
● Pebble devices will continue to work as normal. No immediate changes to the Pebble user experience will happen at this time.
● Pebble functionality or service quality may be reduced in the future.
● Kickstarter backers who have not received their rewards will receive a full refund within 4-8 weeks as a chargeback to their credit cards. No further action is needed. For more information, please visit our Support page.
● Orders from pebble.com are no longer being accepted or fulfilled, including Pebble 2 pre-orders, which have not yet been charged or shipped.
● Warranty support is no longer available for Pebble watches. How-to information and troubleshooting can still be found on our Support page and in the Pebble Forum.
● Returns of pebble.com orders that were successfully completed before December 7, 2016 will be refunded by our Support Team.
● Pebble watches purchased at retail may be returned or exchanged based on the retailer’s return policy.
● Pebblers can still find replacement charging cables and other compatible accessories (bands, skins, etc.) from Amazon.com and third-party vendors like GadgetWraps and Clockwork Synergy.
● If you have any other questions about Pebble’s wind-down of operations, please visit this page.
Pebble CEO Eric Migicovsky says, "It’s a bittersweet day, but I want to extend my biggest thanks to the Pebble community. Personally, one of the best feelings ever is spotting you on the train, running through an airport, or finishing a bike ride and checking your Pebble. If you catch me staring at your wrist (I’ll be the tall guy wearing a Pebble t-shirt), stop me and say “Hi.” If you’re wearing your Pebble, a drink is on me!"
How do you feel about Pebble's shutdown? Let us know in the comments!
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With this acquisition, Fitbit adds deep industry expertise in platform development that complements the company’s core discipline of innovative health and fitness features. The additional resources will facilitate the faster delivery of new products, features and functionality while introducing speed and efficiencies to develop the general purpose utility consumers value in a connected device. The acquisition will also accelerate the development of customized solutions and third party applications for Fitbit Group Health customers and partners, including researchers, employers and providers.
“With basic wearables getting smarter and smartwatches adding health and fitness capabilities, we see an opportunity to build on our strengths and extend our leadership position in the wearables category,” said James Park, CEO and co-founder of Fitbit. “With this acquisition, we’re well positioned to accelerate the expansion of our platform and ecosystem to make Fitbit a vital part of daily life for a wider set of consumers, as well as build the tools healthcare providers, insurers and employers need to more meaningfully integrate wearable technology into preventative and chronic care.”
Pebble also announced the acquisition and revealed that it is no longer promoting, manufacturing or selling devices.
What you need to know
● Pebble is no longer promoting, manufacturing, or selling any devices.
● Pebble devices will continue to work as normal. No immediate changes to the Pebble user experience will happen at this time.
● Pebble functionality or service quality may be reduced in the future.
● Kickstarter backers who have not received their rewards will receive a full refund within 4-8 weeks as a chargeback to their credit cards. No further action is needed. For more information, please visit our Support page.
● Orders from pebble.com are no longer being accepted or fulfilled, including Pebble 2 pre-orders, which have not yet been charged or shipped.
● Warranty support is no longer available for Pebble watches. How-to information and troubleshooting can still be found on our Support page and in the Pebble Forum.
● Returns of pebble.com orders that were successfully completed before December 7, 2016 will be refunded by our Support Team.
● Pebble watches purchased at retail may be returned or exchanged based on the retailer’s return policy.
● Pebblers can still find replacement charging cables and other compatible accessories (bands, skins, etc.) from Amazon.com and third-party vendors like GadgetWraps and Clockwork Synergy.
● If you have any other questions about Pebble’s wind-down of operations, please visit this page.
Pebble CEO Eric Migicovsky says, "It’s a bittersweet day, but I want to extend my biggest thanks to the Pebble community. Personally, one of the best feelings ever is spotting you on the train, running through an airport, or finishing a bike ride and checking your Pebble. If you catch me staring at your wrist (I’ll be the tall guy wearing a Pebble t-shirt), stop me and say “Hi.” If you’re wearing your Pebble, a drink is on me!"
How do you feel about Pebble's shutdown? Let us know in the comments!
Read More