Oct 28, 2019

Google parent company reportedly in talks to acquire Fitbit

The Fitbit Versa smart watch. Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Google's parent company Alphabet Inc. has made an offer to buy wearable device maker Fitbit Inc., according to Reuters.

Why it matters: Google has yet to develop any wearable smart devices like its competitors Apple and Samsung Electronics, but it could get a piece of the crowded market with Fitbit.

Yes, but: "There is no certainty that the negotiations between Google and Fitbit will lead to any deal," per Reuters.

  • The exact price that Google has offered for Fitbit is unknown.

The big picture: Fitbit has reportedly been exploring the possibility of a sale since September as it struggles to maintain a strong presence in the fitness tracker market.

Go deeper: Fitbit will move production out of China amid trade war

Go deeper

Orion Rummler
Updated 11 mins ago - Politics & Policy

George Floyd protests: Unrest continues for 6th night across U.S.

A protest near the White House on Sunday night. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Most external lights at the White House were turned off late Sunday as the D.C. National Guard was deployed and authorities fired tear gas at hundreds of protesters nearby, per the New York Times.

What's happening: It's one of several tense, late-night standoffs between law enforcement and demonstrators in the United States over the death of George Floyd and other police-related killings of black people.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Axios
Updated 13 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Coronavirus dashboard

Photo Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: Noam Galai, Jamie McCarthy, Josep Lago/AFP, Alfredo Estrella/AFP, and Narayan Maharjan/NurPhoto, all via Getty Images

  1. Global: Total confirmed cases as of 5 a.m. ET: 6,181,781 — Total deaths: 372,136— Total recoveries — 2,646,874 — Map.
  2. U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 5 a.m. ET: 1,790,191 — Total deaths: 104,383— Total recoveries: 444,758 — Total tested: 16,936,891 — Map.
  3. Public health: Black Americans' competing crises — Coronavirus looms over George Floyd protests across the country.
  4. 2020: AIPAC conference in March 2021 canceled.
  5. Economy: What U.S. workplaces may look like next — Both part of America's unfinished business — Future of mobility in post-pandemic world.
  6. World: Former FDA commissioner says "this is not the time" to cut ties with WHO — White House sends 2 million doses of hydroxychloroquine to Brazil, 1,000 ventilators to come.
Other resources (<1 min. read)Arrow
Amy Harder
23 mins ago - Energy & Environment

Your guide to comparing climate change and coronavirus

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

Climate change and the coronavirus have a lot more in common than the letter C, but their differences explain society’s divergent responses to each.

Why it matters: The Internet is full of comparisons, some from biased perspectives. I'm going to try to cut through the noise to help discerning readers looking for objective information.

Go deeper (3 min. read)Arrow