Close Menu
  • English
  • Featured
    • AI & Robotics
    • Energy
    • Finance
    • Leisure
    • Science
    • Security
    • Sustainable Development
    • Tech
    • Transport
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Trending
Illustration of YASA's new super factory near Oxford producing advanced axial flux motors for luxury automakers. Image generated by AI.
The UK Shocks the Auto World: This Leading EV Motor Factory to Electrify Ferrari and Lamborghini Supercars with Unmatched Power
Illustration of a groundbreaking NASICON-based solid electrolyte for advanced solid-state batteries. Image generated by AI.
This Stunning Battery Breakthrough Delivers 100x Faster Charging and Signals the End of Long Power Waits Forever
Illustration of Microsoft integrating Elon Musk's Grok AI models into its Azure cloud platform. Image generated by AI.
This Explosive Move by Microsoft Adds Elon Musk’s Grok AI to Azure, Merging Chaos With Corporate Power in the Cloud
Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn RSS
Rude Baguette
Facebook X (Twitter) RSS
Newsletter
  • Featured
  • AI
    Illustration of Nurabot, the AI-powered robot nurse transforming healthcare in Taiwan. Image generated by AI.

    This AI Nurse Named Nurabot Is Now Caring for Patients as Taiwan Pushes Smart Hospitals Into the Future of Medicine

    May 22, 2025 at 8:46 AM
    Illustration of innovative haptic devices enhancing human-robot collaboration in industrial settings. Image generated by AI.

    This Stunning Haptic Breakthrough Lets You Physically Guide Machines as If They Were Extensions of Your Own Body

    May 22, 2025 at 7:00 AM
    Illustration of Tiangong, a marathon-winning humanoid robot showcased for its versatile capabilities in various industries. Image generated by AI.

    From Runner to Robot Worker: China’s Marathon-Winning Humanoid Now Conquers Factory Floors with Unmatched Precision

    May 21, 2025 at 11:52 AM
    Illustration of ChatGPT documenting and recalling a person's life journey. Image generated by AI.

    “Your Whole Life, One AI”: OpenAI CEO Pushes Plan for ChatGPT to Ingest Every Detail of Users’ Personal Histories

    May 20, 2025 at 10:12 AM
    Illustration of a high-speed robotic system solving a Rubik's Cube in record time. Image generated by AI.

    US Students Build Record-Smashing Robot That Solves Rubik’s Cube Faster Than the Human Eye Can Follow

    May 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
  • Energy
    Illustration of a groundbreaking NASICON-based solid electrolyte for advanced solid-state batteries. Image generated by AI.

    This Stunning Battery Breakthrough Delivers 100x Faster Charging and Signals the End of Long Power Waits Forever

    May 22, 2025 at 11:56 AM
    Illustration of a revolutionary sodium-ion battery charging rapidly. Image generated by AI.

    Fully Charged in 6 Minutes: New Sodium-Ion EV Battery Delivers 3,000+ Cycles and Redefines Electric Mobility Standards

    May 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
    Illustration of a revolutionary silicon battery solution developed by an American and a German firm. Image generated by AI.

    “1,000 Cycles, Still Going Strong”: US Silicon Battery Breakthrough Delivers Unmatched Endurance With 80% Capacity Retention

    May 20, 2025 at 7:04 AM
    Illustration of the lithium manganese-rich battery innovation by GM and LG Energy Solution, promising enhanced EV range and efficiency. Image generated by AI.

    GM and LG Unveil EV Battery With 33% More Energy, Unlocking Longer Range and Next-Level Performance for the Electric Future

    May 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
    Illustration of the innovative perovskite solar cell achieving 25.3% efficiency. Image generated by AI.

    “Solar Breakthrough Bends the Rules”: New Tough Flexible Cell Hits 25% Efficiency, Redefining Clean Energy Tech on Every Surface

    May 19, 2025 at 11:47 AM
  • Finance
    Illustration of Visa's integration of AI systems into digital payments (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

    Visa’s AI Is Now Shopping for You: This Robot May Soon Swipe Your Card Automatically—and Mess With Your Mind

    May 4, 2025 at 8:07 AM
    Microsoft Strikes Unprecedented Deal: World's Largest CO2 Removal at 7.44 Million Tons, Setting New Environmental Milestone

    “Microsoft Strikes Historic Climate Deal”: World’s Largest CO2 Removal Pact Targets 6.75 Million Tons in Unmatched Green Push

    April 19, 2025 at 9:55 AM
    RLWRLD Stuns Tech World With $15.6 Million Fundraise to Revolutionize Robotics: Unleashing Unprecedented Innovations That Will Shock the Industry

    “Robots Just Got Smarter”: RLWRLD Raises $14.8 Million to Build Groundbreaking Foundational AI Model for the Future of Robotics

    April 17, 2025 at 6:47 AM
    Marshmallow's Meteoric Rise: British Migrant Insurance Startup Secures $90 Million, Surges Past $2 Billion Valuation in Unprecedented Move

    “Built for Outsiders, Backed by Billions”: UK’s Marshmallow Raises $90 Million as Migrant-Focused Insurtech Soars Past $2 Billion Valuation

    April 17, 2025 at 6:02 AM
    Why the tech industry needs a labor/union movement

    Why the tech industry needs a labor/union movement

    October 2, 2022 at 3:39 PM
  • Leisure
    Illustration of Mark Zuckerberg's luxury superyachts journey to Norway's fjords for a heliskiing adventure (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Even the U.S. Is Shocked”: Zuckerberg’s 5,300-Mile Yacht Voyage and Helicopter Ski Drop Redefine Billionaire Excess

    May 13, 2025 at 9:49 AM
    Illustration of the delayed release announcement for Grand Theft Auto VI by Rockstar Games (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    Total Shock for Gamers Worldwide: GTA VI Now Postponed to 2026 After Rockstar Vows to Redefine the Entire Franchise

    May 7, 2025 at 5:49 AM
    Illustration of the delayed release of GTA VI and its implications for the gaming industry (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Red Dead Proves the Wait Is Worth It”: Rockstar’s Masterpiece Shows Why GTA 6 Delay Could Deliver Gaming’s Next Big Legend

    May 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
    Illustration of HBO's adaptation of The Last of Us exploring character depth and emotional storytelling (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    The Last of Us Reinvented: Season 2 Takes Bold Step Beyond the Game’s Limits in Stunning, Unforgettable Storytelling Move

    May 6, 2025 at 12:14 PM
    Illustration of the highly anticipated PlayStation 6 console with advanced features and technologies (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “PlayStation 6 Is Coming Fast”: Sony’s Next Console May Launch Much Sooner Than Anyone Predicted, Shocking the Gaming World

    May 6, 2025 at 10:03 AM
  • Science
    Illustration of CERN scientists using AI to explore the Higgs boson's interaction with charm quarks. Image generated by AI.

    “AI Cracks the Code”: This Breakthrough by CERN Scientists Reveals a Shocking New Path to Control the Higgs Boson’s Hidden Charm

    May 22, 2025 at 5:46 AM
    Illustration of unexpected quark behavior challenging charge symmetry in nuclear physics. Image generated by AI.

    “Nuclear Physics Turned Upside Down”: Quarks Caught Violating Symmetry Rules at Low Energy Levels in Shocking Discovery

    May 20, 2025 at 4:46 PM
    Illustration of quantum simulation of chemical dynamics at the University of Sydney. Image generated by AI.

    “Atoms Caught Dancing Live”: Scientists Capture First-Ever Real-Time Motion of Atoms During Intense Light-Driven Events

    May 20, 2025 at 6:07 AM
    Illustration of a bacterium degrading medical-grade plastic in a hospital setting. Image generated by AI.

    “Superbug Turns Predator”: Mutated Bacteria Now Devours Hospital Implants, Sutures, and Dressings With Terrifying Efficiency

    May 17, 2025 at 9:59 AM
    Illustration of China's advanced LICOMK++ ocean simulator acting as an “ocean microscope.” Image generated by AI.

    “China’s Ocean Simulator Stuns World”: New Tech Recreates Sea Currents With Unmatched Half-Mile Resolution for Climate and Naval Mastery

    May 17, 2025 at 8:50 AM
  • Security
    Illustration of the Foudre rocket launcher system developed by Turgis & Gaillard. Image generated by AI.

    France Challenges US Firepower as Foudre Rocket System Emerges to Outperform HIMARS with Unmatched Speed and Accuracy

    May 21, 2025 at 8:03 AM
    Illustration of hidden communication devices in Chinese solar panels impacting U.S. energy security. Image generated by AI.

    Chinese Spy Tech Exposed: Covert Hardware Discovered in Solar Inverters Sparks National Security Alarm Across the US

    May 21, 2025 at 6:54 AM
    Illustration of China's groundbreaking quantum cryptography system designed to withstand quantum computing threats. Image generated by AI.

    “Unhackable at Last”: China Unveils World’s First Quantum Cryptography System That Could Redefine Global Cybersecurity

    May 21, 2025 at 6:04 AM
    Illustration of AI-generated voice and text deception targeting senior U.S. officials. Image generated by AI.

    FBI Raises Alarm as Sophisticated AI Voice Cloning Scheme Hits Top U.S. Officials in Unprecedented Cyber Attack

    May 20, 2025 at 8:55 AM
    Illustration of a cybersecurity breach at Coinbase involving compromised customer data. Image generated by AI.

    “$400M Gone, $20M to Catch Them”: Coinbase Launches Massive Bounty Hunt After Insider Hack Shakes Crypto World

    May 20, 2025 at 8:09 AM
  • Impact
    Illustration of the Mammoth Solar farm project in northern Indiana with solar panels and agrivoltaics. Image generated by AI.

    “1.3 Gigawatts of Sunlight”: Massive New US Solar Farm to Power 200,000 Homes and Supercharge National Capacity by 20%

    May 20, 2025 at 3:54 PM
    Illustration of Altilium's innovative recycled EV battery manufacturing process. Image generated by AI.

    Recycling Record Shattered: EcoCathode Achieves 95% EV Battery Metal Recovery, Redefining Global Standards for Green Tech Efficiency

    May 19, 2025 at 7:02 AM
    Illustration of Bill Gates announcing his $200 billion donation plan and the future closure of the Gates Foundation. Image generated by AI.

    “$200 Billion Goodbye”: Bill Gates to Shut Down Gates Foundation by 2045 After Record-Setting Final Donation Pledge

    May 15, 2025 at 4:03 PM
    Illustration of Iceland's successful implementation of a four-day workweek and its impact on productivity and well-being (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Gen Z Was Right All Along”: Iceland’s 4-Day Workweek Proves a Massive Success Five Years After Bold National Shift

    May 12, 2025 at 7:54 AM
    Illustration of the majestic Jeddah Tower under construction, symbolizing architectural innovation and cultural preservation (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    “Saudi Arabia Unleashes Construction Fury”: This Mind-Blowing 3,280-Foot Jeddah Tower Set to Shatter Global Records and Redefine Skyscraper History

    May 6, 2025 at 3:59 PM
  • Tech
    Illustration of Microsoft integrating Elon Musk's Grok AI models into its Azure cloud platform. Image generated by AI.

    This Explosive Move by Microsoft Adds Elon Musk’s Grok AI to Azure, Merging Chaos With Corporate Power in the Cloud

    May 22, 2025 at 10:07 AM
    Illustration of the world's fastest quantum transistor using graphene and laser pulses. Image generated by AI.

    “Fastest Quantum Switch Ever”: This U.S. Team Just Unlocked Ultra-Fast AI With a Breakthrough That’s Redefining Computing Speeds

    May 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
    Illustration of SonoTextiles transforming a fabric into a smart wearable using sound waves. Image generated by AI.

    “Clothes That Listen”: Scientists Create Smart T-Shirt and Gesture-Reading Gloves Using Ultrasound Technology

    May 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
    Illustration of Vietnam's record-breaking drone light show celebrating Southern Liberation. Image generated by AI.

    “10,500 Drones Light Up the Sky”: Vietnam Sets Jaw-Dropping World Record with Largest Aerial Show Ever Seen

    May 21, 2025 at 9:47 AM
    Illustration of the ABCI-Q supercomputer powered by NVIDIA technologies. Image generated by AI.

    “Unprecedented Quantum Leap”: NVIDIA Chips Power This Mind-Blowing Supercomputer Revolutionizing Global Research at 300,000 Square Feet of Innovation

    May 21, 2025 at 9:12 AM
  • Transport
    Illustration of YASA's new super factory near Oxford producing advanced axial flux motors for luxury automakers. Image generated by AI.

    The UK Shocks the Auto World: This Leading EV Motor Factory to Electrify Ferrari and Lamborghini Supercars with Unmatched Power

    May 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
    Illustration of Waymo robotaxis involved in a software recall due to collision incidents. Image generated by AI.

    Waymo Recalls 1,200 Autonomous Taxis After Crash Spree Involving Poles, Gates, and Serious AI Navigation Failures

    May 18, 2025 at 10:03 AM
    Illustration of the Talon-A hypersonic test vehicle achieving GPS-independent navigation. Image generated by AI.

    “US Jet Flies Without GPS”: Hypersonic Aircraft Gets AI Brain Upgrade to Navigate at Blistering Speeds With Zero Satellite Support

    May 17, 2025 at 4:03 PM
    Illustration of Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket demonstrating space-based cargo delivery. Image generated by AI.

    “Space Rockets for War Cargo”: Pentagon Plans Orbital Delivery System to Drop Supplies Anywhere on Earth Within Minutes

    May 15, 2025 at 5:09 PM
    Illustration of the Boom Supersonic XB-1 aircraft achieving supersonic flight without a sonic boom (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

    This Plane Just Did the Impossible: Achieved Supersonic Speed Without Creating a Sonic Boom in Historic Aviation Breakthrough

    May 14, 2025 at 4:57 PM
  • English
Rude Baguette

Google is set to acquire FitBit for $2.1 billion

Eirwen WilliamsEirwen WilliamsNovember 4, 2019 at 11:51 PM0
Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Follow Us
Google News
Share
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Copy Link

Google is planning to purchase the wearable fitness tracker company FitBit for $2.1 billion, according to BBC News. With the acquisition, Google will now compete directly with Apple and other wearable technology companies, and will gain access to detailed health data from millions of FitBit users. 

“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,” according to co-founder and CEO James Park. “Google is an ideal partner to advance our mission.”

FitBit was an early entrant into the wearable technology market, but has struggled as more competitors have established themselves, and was put up for sale last month. FitBit shares have surged 40 percent in value since Google’s interest was reported early last week. 

For Google, which has struggled to gain a foothold in the wearable hardware market, the move could create new opportunities. The purchase could give them a chance to develop Wear OS, their own wearable tech operating system. But controversially, and perhaps most importantly, it will give them access to health and fitness data from FitBit’s 28 million users.

Some analysts and observers have suggested that acquiring the data was likely a central motivation for Google, which agreed to pay $2.1 billion for FitBit, which had a market value of just $1.4 billion last week. But Google, along with other tech giants, has increasingly come under fire for privacy issues in recent years.

When the deal was first reported, the UK’s Labour Party called on the nation’s antitrust authorities to step in and investigate. 

“This is not just a business deal, it’s a data grab – and that should worry us all. Any such proposal must be subjected to the most rigorous possible scrutiny and must be fully investigated by the CMA,” Tom Watson, the shadow digital, culture, media and sport secretary, wrote to the Competition and Markets Authority.

Watson warned that data on “how we sleep, when we move, what we eat, on our breathing and our heartbeats” would be transferred to a company that relies on micro-targeted advertising for its business model. 

Both companies have been careful to address privacy concerns. Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice President of Devices and Services for Google, said in a press release:

“We will be transparent about data we collect and why. We will never sell personal information to anyone. Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads. And we will give Fitbit users the choice to review, move, or delete their data.”

And FitBit’s own announcement of the deal stated:

“Fitbit will continue to put users in control of their data and will remain transparent about the data it collects and why. The company never sells personal information, and Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads.”

But it’s unclear if these assurances will be enough for users, who have already voiced privacy concerns, or for regulators. Barring any regulatory hurdles, the acquisition would be completed in 2020.

Photo Image by FitNishMedia from Pixabay 

Did you like it? 4.5/5 (27)

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Google User Data
Follow on Google News Follow on X (Twitter)
Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Email Copy Link
Previous ArticleUK agtech startup WeFarm raises $13m in Series A funding round
Next Article UK startup Medopad raises $25 million in Series B funding, led by Bayer
Related Posts
Illustration of Google's Gemini 2.5 Flash model's safety performance comparison (AI-generated, unrealistic). Credit: Ideogram.

AI Safety Setback: Google’s Recent Gemini Model Underperforms in Key Evaluations, Fueling Industry-Wide Alarm

Illustration of Visa's integration of AI systems into digital payments (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

Visa’s AI Is Now Shopping for You: This Robot May Soon Swipe Your Card Automatically—and Mess With Your Mind

Illustration of Google's new office attendance mandate and its impact on remote work policies (AI-generated, non-realistic illustration). Credit: Ideogram.

“Take the Exit Package”: Google Clamps Down on Remote Work and Tells Unhappy Employees to Leave if They Don’t Like It

Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Trending
Illustration of YASA's new super factory near Oxford producing advanced axial flux motors for luxury automakers. Image generated by AI.
The UK Shocks the Auto World: This Leading EV Motor Factory to Electrify Ferrari and Lamborghini Supercars with Unmatched Power
Illustration of a groundbreaking NASICON-based solid electrolyte for advanced solid-state batteries. Image generated by AI.
This Stunning Battery Breakthrough Delivers 100x Faster Charging and Signals the End of Long Power Waits Forever
Illustration of Microsoft integrating Elon Musk's Grok AI models into its Azure cloud platform. Image generated by AI.
This Explosive Move by Microsoft Adds Elon Musk’s Grok AI to Azure, Merging Chaos With Corporate Power in the Cloud
News by category
  • English
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leisure
  • Transport
  • Science
  • Security
  • AI & Robotics
  • Energy
  • Sustainable Development
Information
  • Meet the Team
  • Legal notice
  • Privacy policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

News, investigations, and analysis — our top stories every morning to start your day right.

Facebook X (Twitter) RSS
© RudeBaguette.com. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.