Days after we revealed that Apple is pulling the plug on Bose headphones being sold in their stores comes news that Apple is also pulling the plug on the Fitbit health tracking device.
Earlier this week we revealed that Fitbit whose products are
highly popular at JB Hi Fi is set to launch two new products, now the Company
is facing the loss of a major retailer for the popular wearable device.
According to the NPD Group, Fitbit holds nearly 70% of the
wearable tech market with the likes of Jawbone and Nike picking up the rest.
Apple is dropping sales Fitbit Flex in its retail stores in
order to promote their own Apple Watch, according to sources.
The Apple Watch will launch in February with Apple set to
sell down Fitbit stock running into the peak Xmas period.
Recently Nike culled the majority of its FuelBand division
after cutting a deal with Apple, Nike is expected to sell the Apple Watch and
an Apple developed Nike branded Fuel band.
It is not known whether Apple’s decision to dump Fitbit
comes as a result of the company’s reluctance to adopt Fitbits HealthKit
platform.
A week ago, Fitbit announced it has no current plans to
integrate its devices, which include the Fitbit One and Fitbit Force, with
HealthKit.
“It is an interesting platform and we will watch as it
matures, looking for opportunities to improve the Fitbit experience. At the
moment, we’re working on other exciting projects that we think will be valuable
to users,” the company said in a statement.
Meanwhile, other wearable manufacturers like Jawbone,
Withings and Strava have all updated their apps to integrate HealthKit.
