Fitbit Buys Vector, Romanian Startup's Existing Smartwatches Won't Receive Software Updates Anymore (engadget.com)

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Fitbit Buys Vector, Romanian Startup's Existing Smartwatches Won't Receive Software Updates Anymore (engadget.com)

Posted by msmash on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @04:40AM from the grand-scheme-of-things dept.

An anonymous reader shares an Engadget report: One of the more surprising smartwatches of 2015 was from Vector, a Romanian startup led by former Citizen executives. Its 30-day battery life, Pebble-esque UI and classic watch design made it a great device for someone seeking a less ostentatiously geeky wearable. Now, the company has revealed that Fitbit has purchased it and its employees will be joining the fitness wearables firm. Unfortunately for Vector owners, Fitbit will be integrating Vector's hardware and software know-how into its own organization. That means that Vector, as a brand, will die off, and while its watches will remain operational, you can kiss any hope for software updates and new hardware goodbye.

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One-sided summary by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 04:46 · Score: 4, Insightful

The summary, to me, reads as though Fitbit is the villain. It could just as easily been written something like this:

Smartwatch maker Vector has gone bankrupt. Vector, as a brand, will die off, and while its watches will remain operational, you can kiss any hope for software updates and new hardware goodbye. Fitbit has purchased it and its employees will be joining the fitness wearables firm, who will be hard at work integrating Vector's hardware and software know-how into their new organization.
All those employees will remain employed now, hooray! But positiveness doesn't sell ad impressions.
1. Re:One-sided summary by Archangel+Michael · 2017-01-10 04:53 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  I've read the summary, and the linked article, and from both I didn't get the whole "bankrupt" thing. If you're going to present new information, at least link a source so we can verify.
  I did see where Pebble went bankrupt and Fitbit bought its assets (last month), but I have seen no such news on Vector. Could you please link to a source for your claim?
  
  --
  Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
2. Re:One-sided summary by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 04:57 · Score: 1
  
  The summary, to me, reads as though Fitbit is the villain. It could just as easily been written something like this:
  
  Smartwatch maker Vector has gone bankrupt. Vector, as a brand, will die off, and while its watches will remain operational, you can kiss any hope for software updates and new hardware goodbye. Fitbit has purchased it and its employees will be joining the fitness wearables firm, who will be hard at work integrating Vector's hardware and software know-how into their new organization.
  All those employees will remain employed now, hooray! But positiveness doesn't sell ad impressions.
  And exactly where in TFA did you read that Vector had gone bankrupt? As an owner of a Fitbit Charge HR which currently suffers from the "Progress Bar of Death", I'd rather Fitbit take their damn cash and hire some QC people instead of trying to buy the competition. Or maybe stand behind their products after the warranty has expired when they send out an update that kills them.
3. Re:One-sided summary by Khyber · 2017-01-10 05:10 · Score: 0
  
  They didn't read anywhere that Vector went bankrupt, you nitwit.
  "It could just as easily been written something like this
  Much like you didn't read their words.
  
  --
  Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
4. Re:One-sided summary by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:12 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  It was in general a bad article to link to in the first place, being lifted almost in its entirety for the summary. Vector's press release is a lot more detailed. Reading through the lines -- yes, conjecture -- it sounds like they needed cash to continue with their product, and Fitbit was the solution they were looking for.
  More interestingly, they say:
  
  Our aim is to make our integration in the Fitbit family as seamless as possible with no impact on you, our customers. Our smartwatches will maintain functionalities and features.
  So it sounds like there will in fact be new hardware, but it will be Fitbit branded as this is their new parent company's name. But again, this is just conjecture. I don't actually have a horse in this race, I don't wear watches, but the original article and summary just seemed so slanted I felt compelled to comment. (But not compelled enough to log in to my account. :P)
5. Re:One-sided summary by Freischutz · 2017-01-10 05:19 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  The summary, to me, reads as though Fitbit is the villain. It could just as easily been written something like this:
  
  Smartwatch maker Vector has gone bankrupt. Vector, as a brand, will die off, and while its watches will remain operational, you can kiss any hope for software updates and new hardware goodbye. Fitbit has purchased it and its employees will be joining the fitness wearables firm, who will be hard at work integrating Vector's hardware and software know-how into their new organization.
  All those employees will remain employed now, hooray! But positiveness doesn't sell ad impressions.
  A shitload of devices are now orphaned because some bean counter at Fitbit ran an Excel model and decided that stiffing all those customers was cost effective business decision. That makes Fitbit the villain in my book ... unless you can paint a big yellow smiley on the fact that those customers paid a significant amount of good money for those watches are now stuck with wrist mounted brick. One thing is for sure, this has permanently cured me of any desire to buy a FitBit product.
6. Re:One-sided summary by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:25 · Score: 0
  
  OP author here. In GP's defense, it is my own hypothesis that Vector had run out of funding. If you read their own press release on the matter, to me it sounds like they're specifically talking around the fact that they needed capital to stay afloat. But it's not explicitly spelled out -- it never is -- so we'll never know for certain.
  But the fact that the Vector employees will keep their jobs (if they are willing to move over to the new firm) seems to be true, according to the Engadget article.
7. Re:One-sided summary by CByrd17 · 2017-01-10 06:10 · Score: 1
  
  The original poster wrote "It could have easily been written something like this:"
  Meaning that if the company just went bankrupt the same article could be written, except everyone loses their jobs.
  I suspect that the article submitter has some kind of idea that FitBit should include support for the products of the company that they purchased forever.
8. Re:One-sided summary by Richard_at_work · 2017-01-10 06:17 · Score: 1
  
  Or...a shit load of devices are now orphaned because the company that made them went bust. Thats all that needs to be said - Fitbit has no obligation to support a device it never made, its not at fault here.
9. Re:One-sided summary by Grishnakh · 2017-01-10 06:26 · Score: 1
  
  To play devil's advocate here, what if the alternative was simply allowing Vector to go bankrupt and fold? Then all the employees would be out of work and the end result for Vector customers would be the same: no more support for their products. Why should Fitbit be expected to pick up this expense?
  The real lesson you should be learning here is to not buy a product which absolutely depends on continual support from the manufacturer, unless you're reasonably sure that manufacturer is going to be around for a long time, or you're prepared to lose that money on a useless brick if the manufacturer can't stay in business.
10. Re:One-sided summary by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 06:54 · Score: 0
  
  They didn't read anywhere that Vector went bankrupt, you nitwit.
  
  Which was precisely my point, you asshole!
  
  "It could just as easily been written something like this
  
  They why would he paraphrase (or rewrite) the summary based upon pure speculation if there was no basis in fact?
  
  Much like you didn't read their words.
  
  I read their words. And the article. And your idiotic reply.
11. Re: One-sided summary by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 07:10 · Score: 0
  
  I would argue they have a moral obligation knowing they were buying that company to factor it into their decision, and support the acquired products.
12. Re:One-sided summary by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 07:14 · Score: 1
  
  Dude, you understood exactly nothing. Vector was not doing bad and going to fold. It was going good and attracted Fitbit's eyes. And they got bought by them.
13. Re:One-sided summary by Gojira+Shipi-Taro · 2017-01-10 07:29 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  And I have no obligation to buy a device made by a company that doesn't support devices from companies they bought. I absolutely CAN hold them accountable with my wallet.
  
  --
  "Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
14. Re:One-sided summary by thomn8r · 2017-01-10 07:29 · Score: 1
  
  I'd rather Fitbit take their damn cash and hire some QC people instead of trying to buy the competition
  Or their piece of shit Aria scales, which use 1980's wireless technology
15. Re:One-sided summary by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 07:30 · Score: 0
  
  *Citation needed. :)
16. Re:One-sided summary by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 07:31 · Score: 0
  
  This comment, to me, reads as though the person questioned the narrative about Vector going bankrupt is the villain. It could just as easily been written something like this:
  
  Hi, I'm Khyber. I'm a great big idiot and I smell. WHAAZZZUUUP?
  
  Now the person questioning where the OP got it from that Vector has gone bankrupt can keep asking what was an entirely reasonable question, and you can shut up. Hooray! But, I guess, Slashdotters don't like posting if they're not trolling.
17. Re:One-sided summary by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 08:43 · Score: 1
  
  The summary is cherry picked. Notice how it ends right before the third paragraph in the article which states:
  
  It's the second low-power watch brand that Fitbit has purchased in recent months after rescuing Pebble at the end of 2016. The fact that Vector drew, uh, inspiration from Pebble means that the two teams will have plenty of common ground.
  The article itself notes that Pebble was rescued by Fitbit and that the Vector team will be a good match with the Pebble team since the Vector is a rip-off of the Pebble.
  If anyone is the villain, it would be Pebble and Vector for mismanaging their companies.
18. Re:One-sided summary by nitehawk214 · 2017-01-10 09:02 · Score: 1
  
  Hahaha you think newly made redundant employees will survive a merger.
  
  --
  I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
19. Re:One-sided summary by Grishnakh · 2017-01-10 09:16 · Score: 1
  
  Not according to the article; they ran out of money.
20. Re:One-sided summary by Provocateur · 2017-01-10 11:23 · Score: 1
  
  But positiveness doesn't sell ad impressions
  But put your version on facebook and spread it as "fake" news. See if they believe it.
  
  --
  WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.
21. Re:One-sided summary by plopez · 2017-01-10 12:49 · Score: 1
  
  So a fire storm was started based on conjecture. So does YHBTYHLHAND apply?
  
  --
  putting the 'B' in LGBTQ+
22. Re:One-sided summary by Coren22 · 2017-01-12 04:01 · Score: 1
  
  It would make me happy if the Pebble watch I received in December was going to have the warranty that I paid for. Instead, I am left with a watch that will break and have no replacement, despite buying it new.
  I am not sure if this Vector company is in the same situation. It looks like they are, but they may have handled it better.
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
23. Re:One-sided summary by Coren22 · 2017-01-12 04:06 · Score: 1
  
  As a Pebble customer with a month old watch, I will say I don't feel rescued.
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 04:47 · Score: 0

why do millenials need an app to measure fitness? just lift a weight and run some, maybe play a sport
1. Re:so what? by Archangel+Michael · 2017-01-10 04:55 · Score: 2
  
  They seek "Participation trophies" that most sports do not have after Junior High. And there are no participation trophies for working out on your own. Fitbit, has you getting participation trophies though. Everyone gets an award!
  
  --
  Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
2. Re:so what? by hawguy · 2017-01-10 05:07 · Score: 1
  
  why do millenials need an app to measure fitness? just lift a weight and run some, maybe play a sport
  When I look around the office at who's wearing a fitbit, it's not the millennials, they either have an iWatch or no watch at all. It's more the middle aged crowd that wear fitness trackers.
3. Re:so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:13 · Score: 1
  
  Oh, please... Grow up. The old geezer version of participation trophies is whining that millennials have participation trophies and you don't. Get over yourselves.
  The purpose of fitness trackers and the awards they give to users are to try to make fitness addictive like a video game. That is, there are challenges of increasing difficulty and rewards that unlock other parts of the application. It actually can be an effective motivational tool, and I can't see why it would be a bad thing if it motivates people who need to get in shape to get more exercise. It's not a participation trophy, though. Usually they're in the form of badges for some reaching some kind of achievement. Again, why would this be a bad thing? Also, as a nerd, I rather enjoy being able to look at the statistics from my exercise, and track them over longer periods of time.
  The real issues I see are that fitness trackers are generally inaccurate, don't give users access to raw data, don't provide workout plans to meet the needs of the individual, and generally don't have a good way to address the caloric intake. I have a Fitbit Charge HR, and I've found that it's not especially accurate, especially in regard to the heart rate. I would like to have access to raw data, instead of it being stored in some proprietary cloud database. The challenges can motivate users to exercise too much, which can lead to injury, and end up doing more harm than good. Finally, there's not a great way to track caloric intake, but it's a big problem that can't be addressed in an automated fashion. Sure, apps have interfaces to allow you to enter in what you eat, but it can be a hassle for users and people tend to underestimate their portions.
  However, if fitness trackers work for some people, who the hell are you to judge? It's a really interesting premise, and is far more likely to help people lose weight than a couple of geezers sitting around whining about participation trophies.
4. Re:so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:24 · Score: 0
  
  The purpose of fitness trackers and the awards they give to users are to try to make fitness addictive like a video game. That is, there are challenges of increasing difficulty and rewards that unlock other parts of the application.
  MILLENNIAL SPOTTED
5. Re: so what? by Type44Q · 2017-01-10 05:26 · Score: 1
  
  And there are no participation trophies for working out on your own.
  No doubt the rewards aren't immediate enough...
6. Re:so what? by Strider- · 2017-01-10 05:27 · Score: 1
  
  why do millenials need an app to measure fitness? just lift a weight and run some, maybe play a sport
  I'm no millenial, but the damned little thing provides me with just enough motivation to get up off my ass and go for a walk. I have a few other people that I "compete with" but it's mostly just about actually that little prompt to actually move around. I know that the times my fitbit has broken, I've slacked off.
  
  --
  ...si hoc legere nimium eruditionis habes...
7. Re: so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:31 · Score: 0
  
  Award up their stupid ass. Millennials is not a generation, it is a disease.
  Man if I had mod points I'd give you +1000000.
  We old timers would have called these millenials fucking stupid assholes.
8. Re: so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:33 · Score: 0
  
  That is why most younger people can't wait for you old timers to die off.
9. Re: so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:34 · Score: 0
  
  Nobody is forcing a crybaby like you to use a fitness tracker. Get off your own damn lawn.
10. Re: so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:43 · Score: 0
  
  Have fun trying to fix real problems when that happens!
11. Re:so what? by plover · 2017-01-10 05:46 · Score: 2
  
  The real issues I see are that fitness trackers [...] don't provide workout plans to meet the needs of the individual [...]
  Everything else you said is spot on, but you missed on this one. If you're interested and motivated, the Fitbit app offers a few generic workout videos and plans, but they offer a "Fitstar Personal Trainer" app, which does provide personalized workout plans. Open the Fitbit app on your phone and tap the "Guidance" compass icon to get started. Once upon a time, many years ago, they would link you up with an actual human trainer, but I don't know what they offer now.
  
  --
  John
12. Re: so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:47 · Score: 0
  
  But getting to use whatever bathroom I want is the single most critical problem facing the world!
13. Re: so what? by Grishnakh · 2017-01-10 06:30 · Score: 1
  
  The problem isn't that, it's people throwing a hissyfit about someone using a bathroom they think shouldn't. If you'd just mind your business and not worry about what genitals people have under their clothes, this wouldn't even be an issue. Even Donald Trump didn't think it was an important problem, because there weren't any actual problems with trans people abusing this and committing crimes. The only people who do are religious morons, because religionists are always wanting to tell other people how to live their lives. This whole issue didn't come up because of Millennials, it came up because a bunch of religious morons threw a fit and turned it into a national issue.
14. Re:so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 06:38 · Score: 0
  
  Because ONLY apps can app apps, NOT LUDDITE software!
  
  Apps!
15. Re:so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 06:57 · Score: 0
  
  Not being a flaccid, stinking tub o' lard should be motivation enough. Why do you want to be a mancubus-like lump of flaccid flesh, yellowish skin like a chicken flabbing around your pudgy limps? Do you want everyone to be disgusted by your ungainly appearance? Why don't you just kill yourself?
16. Re: so what? by blackomegax · 2017-01-10 06:59 · Score: 1
  
  We'll finally be free to vote in fully automated luxury communism and cure the world of all ills.
17. Re: so what? by Archangel+Michael · 2017-01-10 07:48 · Score: 1
  
  But Normal People are being told that they are a "hater" if they want to stop "creepy dude" from going in the woman's bathroom, simply because he claims he identifies as a lesbian trapped in a man's body. Bathrooms should fit biology, not mental status nobody can verify.
  
  --
  Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
18. Re:so what? by Archangel+Michael · 2017-01-10 07:51 · Score: 1
  
  Not everyone is equal in capability, some capabilities are more desired than others, why shouldn't we optimize our inputs to get to those results?
  
  --
  Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
19. Re: so what? by Archfeld · 2017-01-10 08:24 · Score: 2
  
  Very recently my GF was at a mall in NorCal and went to use the restroom. She came out afterwards and looked very odd so I asked her what was the matter, actually I said snarkily " Did everything come out alright" and she replied " No that there was a strange 'lady' in there staring at people" Apparently the 'Lady' was strange enough that several others felt so uncomfortable with that they reported her to security. It turns out the 'Lady' was a guy dressed up as a woman hanging out in the bathroom peeping at women using the rest room, so don't tell me there are no issues with so called gender identification cases.
  
  --
  errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
20. Re: so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 08:27 · Score: 0
  
  They are our children, if you don't like them, it's mostly your fault.
21. Re: so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 09:01 · Score: 0
  
  Got a news article or police report to link to about that?
22. Re: so what? by Archfeld · 2017-01-10 09:43 · Score: 1
  
  No, not sure whether, he or she was arrested or just escorted from the restroom by mall security. We did not stick around to find out, but the mall was Sun Valley in Concord California, and according the GF's recollection it occurred in the first week of December 2016.
  
  --
  errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
23. Re: so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 10:36 · Score: 0
  
  So you're saying that the person that looks like a man should use the ladies' room because they don't have a penis, while the person who looks like a woman has to use the men's room because they do have a penis?
  Right now that manly-looking person is using the men's room all the time without you even noticing because using the ladies' room will get them in trouble, where the only way out is to show their vagina.
  dom
24. Re: so what? by Archangel+Michael · 2017-01-10 11:45 · Score: 1
  
  Exceptions suck don't they? But while we're on it, you didn't address my problem, which is more real than your problem, mainly because there are way more perverts than there are Transgendered people. And even some "transgendered" people are perverts. But we can't say anything about any of it because someone might get "offended" (and by extension, get leprosy). And that makes everyone a "hater" and "bigoted" for wanting women to feel safe from the perverts of the world.
  And as a real man, I am not endangered by a former female manly looking hybrid in my bathroom. My wife is endangered by a former (or still) man who is a pervert using liberal logic to gain perverted peeks at women who want a few minutes without being harassed by a dude. .
  One the other hand, that would make you a misogynist if my intuition is right. See how easy it is to twist what others say to make them look like assholes and douchebags.
  
  --
  Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
25. Re: so what? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-11 07:13 · Score: 0
  
  Then who would keep society running? Millennials are lazy, entitled whiners with microscopic attention spans who don't have a single creative or thoughtful bone in their bodies. Once the "old timers" are gone, who is going to have jobs and create new stuff ? It certainly won't be the millennials?
  You kids make the beatniks look like responsible and intelligent human beings.
26. Re: so what? by Coren22 · 2017-01-12 04:14 · Score: 1
  
  Um, last I checked, it was not North Carolina making a national issue out of it, but the victim crowd who are crowing about how horrible the people there are for passing a law that their electorate asked for.
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
27. Re: so what? by Grishnakh · 2017-01-12 13:09 · Score: 1
  
  You're a moron. The electorate in Charlotte didn't ask for a law that overrode their own city law, and was aimed specifically at that. Apparently, conservative morons like you are all for Big Centralized Government when it means they get hateful morality laws passed. On top of that, the voters of NC apparently *didn't* want this law because they immediately voted McCrory out of office as a result of the flap.
28. Re: so what? by Coren22 · 2017-01-13 01:28 · Score: 1
  
  Conservative moron? You must think that Hillary is a right wing fanatic, because I am far left of her.
  You seem to think that women want men in dresses gawking at them in the bathroom. This happens now, but I guess you are fine with it. This was an attempt to stop that behavior, it wasn't something the politicians did for the hell of it, people requested it.
  Big centralized government this is not, that is when the Fed tells other states that they have to marry people against their laws. But I guess you don't care about state rights.
  The national issue wasn't caused by North Carolina, they passed a law, they didn't care what the rest of the nation thought about it.
  I wish it hurt to be as blind as you are, it might make people think more about things before they post inflammatory garbage like this.
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
29. Re: so what? by Grishnakh · 2017-01-13 04:45 · Score: 1
  
  States' rights? I guess you don't care about cities' rights. The NC law was passed specifically because of an anti-discriminatory law passed in an NC city, to override that law. It's no different than the Federal government passing a law to override a state law.
  But I guess you don't care about cities' rights.
You know what doesn't need "software updates"? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 04:50 · Score: 0

Dumb watches.
Analog watches, even.
I'm at a loss as to why the smartwatch thing is even a "thing." (I guess it's not, looking at sales numbers.)
A good analog watch lasts generations; "smart" watches are obsolete before they leave the store.
1. Re:You know what doesn't need "software updates"? by Aaden42 · 2017-01-10 04:57 · Score: 1
  
  A good abacus lasts generations too, but for some reason we moved up to programmable calculators. My grandmother still has her rotary telephone, but for some reason lots of people have smart phones that don't even need to be plugged into the wall to make a call.
  Just because there isn't a use case that appeals to you doesn't mean the entire class of technology is worthless to the entire world.
  It's ok. We're not on your lawn.
2. Re:You know what doesn't need "software updates"? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:04 · Score: 0
  
  Bend over so I can poop in your butt!!
3. Re:You know what doesn't need "software updates"? by Junta · 2017-01-10 05:28 · Score: 1
  
  Or even an offline fitness band. However, business models are no longer interested in doing that when they can skip ahead to cloud and get lock-in.
  
  --
  XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
4. Re: You know what doesn't need "software updates"? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:38 · Score: 0
  
  I still have my mid 80s Casio calculator and it works fine. Batteries get changed every few years.
  How many Smart watches will still be in use in the year 2040?
5. Re:You know what doesn't need "software updates"? by Fly+Swatter · 2017-01-10 07:17 · Score: 1
  
  ... but for some reason lots of people have smart phones that don't even need to be plugged into the wall to make a call.
  Last I checked those things need to be plugged into something almost every night, or they stop working.
6. Re: You know what doesn't need "software updates"? by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 09:04 · Score: 0
  
  Chances are whatever you're browsing Slashdot on won't be working in 2040 either. What's your point?
7. Re: You know what doesn't need "software updates"? by oobayly · 2017-01-10 09:27 · Score: 1
  
  Great for skiing, hiking, bouldering, etc. I can leave my phone safe and warm in my rucksack, and if I get a call or text I can see if it looks important it whether I can ignore it until later.
  However I don't wear my pebble watch at any other time as it's of no use to me.
Lack of customer service by Richard_at_work · 2017-01-10 04:51 · Score: 4, Insightful

Its not as if Fitbit support their own devices very well - just look at the litany of posts on their forums and social complaining about device battery life even within the first months of use.
My wife and I bought Fitbit Charges in 2014 - two weeks later mine stopped syncing (another extremely common complaint) and had to be replaced, while my wifes lasted a month before her battery life fell to 40 minutes from a full charge and had to be replaced. My replacement lasted a month this time before it stopped syncing, and my wifes stopped syncing at 6 weeks. I returned mine for a full refund, but the wife wanted to soldier on - her third one was returned after 3 weeks due to battery life issues.
Fast forward a bit, and my wife decides to try a Fitbit Alta - worked for 4 months before it refused to sync. Oh, and while the box said "Windows Phone supported", support for WP wasnt actually included in the Fitbit app until 6 months after the product was launched (no, we don't use Windows Phone, its just another excellent example of how shit Fitbit is).
I won't touch another Fitbit for as long as they are in business.
Fitbit must die by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 04:55 · Score: 0

Got my Dad a fitbit to try to push him into doing some exercises and such. Still sitting in the bottom of a drawer somewhere. I threw it there, not him, because the fitbit app wanted access to contact list, call history, etc., etc. Can't use it without the app so I guess we can't use it at all.
1. Re:Fitbit must die by hawguy · 2017-01-10 05:08 · Score: 1
  
  Got my Dad a fitbit to try to push him into doing some exercises and such. Still sitting in the bottom of a drawer somewhere. I threw it there, not him, because the fitbit app wanted access to contact list, call history, etc., etc. Can't use it without the app so I guess we can't use it at all.
  Can't you just deny those permissions? (at least on Android)
2. Re:Fitbit must die by Richard_at_work · 2017-01-10 05:13 · Score: 1
  
  You could also sync it with a desktop or laptop computer... there is no requirement for a mobile device.
3. Re:Fitbit must die by plover · 2017-01-10 06:15 · Score: 1
  
  Sorry, I'm calling 100% bullshit on this one.
  The fitbit app has never asked for access to my contacts, and it would only request access if I asked it to "Add Friends" and explicitly tapped on the "Contacts" button. All the "friends" I've added have been done so without granting access to the whole contact list, I've simply typed in their email addresses. And it's never sought access to my "call history", or whatever other evil conspiracies you imagined it might have done when you typed etc., etc.
  Now go be a good son. Give the fitbit back to your dad, apologize for being overly paranoid, show him how it works, and help him keep up his health.
  
  --
  John
4. Re:Fitbit must die by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 07:47 · Score: 0
  
  It's not bullshit. The fitbit app I had to install asked for access to contacts, camera, recording audio, SMS in and out, and make phone calls - and it refuses to function if you say NO to any of them.
5. Re:Fitbit must die by ilsaloving · 2017-01-10 08:02 · Score: 1
  
  Not if their phone isn't the latest and greatest. Android only introduced permissions control with v6.
6. Re:Fitbit must die by hawguy · 2017-01-10 08:37 · Score: 1
  
  Not if their phone isn't the latest and greatest. Android only introduced permissions control with v6.
  If you're running an old unsupported version of Android, then you're probably not *really* concerned with the privacy of your data.
7. Re:Fitbit must die by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 13:30 · Score: 0
  
  Bullshit to your bullshit. I'm looking at Fitbit app Version 2.4 in the google app store *right now*.
  Here is what it wants access to:
  Identity
  Contacts
  Location
  SMS
  Photo/Media/Files
  Camera
  Bluetooth connection and info
  Device ID and call information
  Other (run at startup, prevent sleeping, control of NFC)
  Now be a good person and confirm all this.
8. Re:Fitbit must die by No+Longer+an+AC · 2017-01-10 14:05 · Score: 1
  
  I think a lot of people feel stuck. My phone has been on the market for just over 26 months and it finally got Marshmallow last week.
  I've had mine less than 2 years so my choice were try to root it myself or upgrade to a new phone or just keep a lot of apps off my phone.
  I was thinking about getting something like a FitBit, but the permissions issue was a deal-killer.
  I've refused to install a lot of apps because of permissions. Now I can consider getting a Fitbit (or something like it) again.
9. Re:Fitbit must die by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 14:34 · Score: 1
  
  Are you a shill for fitbit or something? The fitbit app sure does want lots and lots of unneeded permissions.
10. Re:Fitbit must die by plover · 2017-01-11 05:57 · Score: 1
  
  I checked the iOS client, and it's asking for nothing like that!
  Yes, if it wants access to all that, get a refund.
  
  --
  John
11. Re:Fitbit must die by ilsaloving · 2017-01-11 08:11 · Score: 1
  
  Is it unsupported thought? The last time I looked a few months ago, Android 5 devices were still being sold, so you'd have to forgive people for thinking that their device *was* still supported.
  Hell, looking at Google's own metrics (https://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html) Android 6 *still* has less than 30% marketshare. Android 7 is practically a statistical error despite having been out for 6 months now.
  Knowledgable people like you and me can sort through the garbage and pick out the good stuff, but point remains that the watch phrase for the entire Android ecosystem is "Caveat Emptor".
It looks like FitBit is targetting me by moronoxyd · 2017-01-10 04:56 · Score: 1

First I supported the last Pebble Kickstarter for a smartwacht, only to be told that (parts of) Pebble were bought by FitBit and my pledge refunded.
Ok, I thougth, let's buy something else. Like the Vector Luna. Now FitBit bought Vector and thus damned my smartwatch to a slow, agonizing death. How long will the servers run that the app ontacts to download watchfaces, streams and apps?
1. Re:It looks like FitBit is targetting me by avandesande · 2017-01-10 05:19 · Score: 1
  
  This is sad.. the Vectors are the first smart watch that looks decent enough to buy.
  
  --
  love is just extroverted narcissism
2. Re:It looks like FitBit is targetting me by moronoxyd · 2017-01-10 05:34 · Score: 1
  
  Well, there is the Omate Roma, which I had on pre-order. But Omate f***ed up and forgot my order, and when I asked they had no more Romas in stock and had to refund my money.
  Thinking about it, this seems to be a running thread with me and smartwatched. GuessI should just stop thinking about smartwatches at all. Seems that for me this can only end in tears...
killing off competition by KiloByte · 2017-01-10 04:57 · Score: 4, Insightful

integrating Vector's hardware and software know-how into its own organization
Yeah right... it's like Oracle buying MySQL or Gillette buying all other razor blade makers. All that "know-how" employees will be let go, designs put into the round file, etc. The only thing they'll keep will be patents, ie, monopoly rights. It's all about removing competition.

--
The creatures outside looked from Alt-Right to Antifa; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
1. Re:killing off competition by cbraescu1 · 2017-01-10 05:04 · Score: 2
  
  The only thing they'll keep will be patents, ie, monopoly rights.
  Vector didn't hold any patents whatsoever.
  
  --
  Catalin Braescu
  Ofaly.com
2. Re:killing off competition by epine · 2017-01-10 06:08 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Between this and Pebble, it does kind of look like Fitbit "draining the swamp" of customer-controlled alternative platforms.
This is why I refuse to buy proprietary crap by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 05:11 · Score: 0

If the community can't build software for it, fix bugs, add features, and generally provide needed updates I might as well not have gotten it.
No good smartwatches by phorm · 2017-01-10 05:12 · Score: 1

Well shit. I've actually been looking for a Pebble replacement and this looks very nice. Figures that I'd find out in an announcement that they're also being killed by Fitbit. Better battery life too, damn
Anyone else know of a good alternative that ISN'T owned by Shitbit?
Cloud-connected means disposable by plover · 2017-01-10 05:34 · Score: 4, Insightful

It's not Fitbit's fault; it's the entire business model of the Cloud. Sell some cool tech thing that's cloud-dependent, run low on cash because those servers aren't paying for themselves, get bought by a bigger company. Fitbit just knows how to play the game, for now.
Who's really to blame when you buy a cloud-dependent toy, with no service contract to guarantee cloud availability for the next 25 years? What other outcome were you possibly expecting to happen? The only rational question is, "how long will I get to play with my cool toy until the company pulls the servers down?" And you should factor that limited lifespan estimate into your purchase price.

--
John
1. Re:Cloud-connected means disposable by baerd · 2017-01-11 08:45 · Score: 1
  
  It's not Fitbit's fault; it's the entire business model of the Cloud.
  Vector chose to sell. Why did they do that? Why is this not Vector's fault for selling out, cashing in, and thus depriving their customers of support?
  
  --
  I wish I had a lawn.
2. Re:Cloud-connected means disposable by plover · 2017-01-11 14:17 · Score: 1
  
  It's not their "fault" because they were under no contractual obligation to provide support. Why should they continue to make their expensive resources available for free, when they're not making them any money? Especially when they're running out of money and a sugar daddy like Fitbit shows up with a wad of cash.
  This is textbook capitalism. Nobody sells you stuff in order to make you happy; they sell stuff in order to make money. Never, ever forget that.
  
  --
  John
Yep, seems silly, but it works by raymorris · 2017-01-10 05:57 · Score: 1

> The purpose of fitness trackers and the awards they give to users are to try to make fitness addictive like a video game. That is, there are challenges of increasing difficulty and rewards that unlock other parts of the application. It actually can be an effective motivational tool, and I can't see why it would be a bad thing if it motivates people who need to get in shape to get more exercise.
Yeah it does help many people get more active. That's cool. I don't quite understand it; it seems a bit silly to me - much like I don't "get" video games. I don't play video games, but I understand many people enjoy them and if the same principles of gamification are helping my wife get in shape I'm all for it. I don't quite understand gamification, but I do understand my wife is looking more like she did ten years and 35 pounds ago.
The whole "participation trophies" *in lieu of recognizing exceptional performance* is a different thing altogether. With my daughter, I recognize when she works hard to achieve something, but I won't mislead her by telling her that working hard enough to be *the best* doesn't have value.
Has it been worth the nuisance, smartwatch buyers? by swb · 2017-01-10 06:42 · Score: 1

All I ever seem to hear is nuisances with those things. Reliability problems, abandonware, these takeovers for consolidating market share, insane money spent (on Apple ones) for crap battery/performance.
Has it really been worth it?
Fitbit is the Death Star of smartwatches... by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 07:08 · Score: 0

Vector seemed like a decent possibility for a replacement for my Pebble, now they are gone, too... Who is the next victim?
Fitbit, destroyer of smartwatch worlds...
Re:Has it been worth the nuisance, smartwatch buye by lord_mike · 2017-01-10 07:44 · Score: 4, Interesting

It has for me. I love my Pebble and will wear it until it no longer functions anymore.
This is why I am a luddite by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 07:45 · Score: 0

I quite buying new fangled electronic gadgets several years ago after reading a story like this. There's no way I am going to sink several hundred dollars into a gadget where I could wake up tomorrow and it is no longer supported, the manufacturer has remotely disabled it, or suddenly the company disappears because the multi-million CEO-looking website was actually just a couple of kids running a kickstarter project that, like 90% of them, never came to fruition.
Re:Has it been worth the nuisance, smartwatch buye by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 08:29 · Score: 0

So far so good with the Apple watch. I also don't suspect Apple will go bankrupt OR pull the plug on the watches anytime soon.
Re:Has it been worth the nuisance, smartwatch buye by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 09:08 · Score: 0

I pretty much only use my Pebble for notifications (plus telling time of course) and I love it. The question of whether its worth it is of course a personal one, but to me it is up to about $200.
And another company killed by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 10:34 · Score: 0

So they just run around buying competition and killing them off to build their patent portfolio.
What is next, SCO like IP law suits?
1. Re:And another company killed by plopez · 2017-01-10 12:51 · Score: 1
  
  That's the "Free Market" for you. I doesn't work the way most people think it will.
  
  --
  putting the 'B' in LGBTQ+
Re:Has it been worth the nuisance, smartwatch buye by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 10:38 · Score: 0

I do to, and was going to do just this, keep it until it dies. But after i lost out on getting a color pebble time 2, to 'upgrade' my Steel, i just tossed in the towel and moved on. Its just a mater of time before the infrastructure falls part.
Nothing will really compare, but its not like i can realistically build my own.
Fitbit is garbage by Anonymous Coward · 2017-01-10 11:27 · Score: 0

Fitbit exists for one reason only: to track people and collect data on them for marketing purposes. Their 'devices' are inaccurate trash and do nothing useful for the end-user. Fitbit should be prosecuted for gross violation of people's privacy rights.
Misread Headlines by cstacy · 2017-01-10 16:27 · Score: 1

Fitbit Buys Vector, Romanian Startup's Existing Smartwatches Won't Receive Software Updates Anymore

Had to read twice, as brain saw this going by:
"Fitbit Buys Vector, Romulan Starship's Existing Smartwatches Won't Receive Software Updates Anymore"
Re:Has it been worth the nuisance, smartwatch buye by Coren22 · 2017-01-12 04:43 · Score: 1

As a fellow Pebble owner from the second Kickstarter, I feel the same way. In the last article about Fitbit buying up Pebble, I came across a comment that suggested this software to replace the Pebble App:
https://github.com/Freeyourgad...
I haven't been able to look into it yet, but it may solve some of the problems of being abandoned.

--
APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?