As tipped by ChannelNews Apple has pulled all Fitbit products from its store including their online store.
Apple has offered no explanation, however analysts claim
that Apple is getting ready to launch their own watch that will feature
software similar to that found in Fitbit devices.
Another possible explanation is Fitbit’s stance on
HealthKit, a tracking platform built into iOS 8.
Fitbit has stated that it has no plans to support the
platform, and that it’s “working on other exciting projects that we think
will be valuable to users.”
Apple may also be concerned about Fitbit’s
popularity as it prepares to sell the Apple Watch, which will have its own
fitness tracking functions. Fitbit recently announced the Surge, which may more
directly compete with the Apple Watch and even has GPS tracking that works
independently of a smartphone.
Apple is continuing to sell other trackers from the likes of
Jawbone, but that company is backing HealthKit. The decision to exclude Fitbit
follows the removal of Bose products, presumably because of competition with
Beats products, and conflicts over legal matters and NFL sponsorship.
Inventory of Fitbit devices have been run down during the
past few weeks with the Company failing to reorder stock in Australia.
