One possible reason Fitbit's reluctance to embrace HealthKit is the fact that data exporting is a "premium" feature in the company's ecosystem. The ability to freely export Fitbit data, and integrate it with other services, requires a membership priced at $49.99, while Apple's HealthKit could accomplish that same task for free.
On the surface this statement doesn't appear to "ring true" as the Fitbit is listed as compatible with Microsoft's HealthVault. Then again, more details might show some other reasons why they are "compatible" with MS's health platform - like, MS is providing $ to gain Fitbit support, or only a portion of data is being shared.
I've complained in the past about Apple allowing others to drive the narrative and I do think they could do better on that front, especially if they're going to continue with long spans between product launches. At the same time I think there's a lot of willfully ignorant people who buy the media spin (like Apple is being monopolistic by not selling Bose or FitBit products in their stores). I have little time for those people.
Fitbit has a new App Store app. It fits in very well with at the ecosystem. What it doesn't do, it yet integrate with the new Health app in iOS 8 via the HealthKit API.
I think it would be better for Apple to send Fitbit a notice saying that Fitness trackers that don't integrate with the Health app in iOS 8 will be removed from their physical and online stores by a certain date because they no longer work with the direction Apple is moving. Anything less just sounds a bratty kid.
Pretty sure this is what they've done, and the removal is just a sign of Fitbit's refusal.
The only thing that makes the situation problematic is Apple's own success, since pulling their competitor (which used to be a partner and now, through Apple's own decisions, has turned into a competitor), means that this competitor is bound to die. It's doubly damning due to the fact that not only is this true, but it also could be seen as a case of "stifling the competition for other platforms", as Fitbit mention they don't want to implement HK as HK is incompatible with Android (obviously).
As a world leader, you can't be expected to behave with the same rules as the underdogs, and that's Apple's issue here. They've been the underdog so long they don't see that this protective behaviour, enabled by their de facto monopoly, is comparable to Microsoft's in the 90s, and that's a threat to their reputation, which is their most valuable asset (and worth billions).
What spin! Big bad Apple, throwing its weight around irresponsibly, like Microsoft at the height of their power. Except...
The Apple Store isn't Walmart. It's not a democracy. Fitbit is not entitled to any self space in Apple's retail operation. If Apple wants to sell or discontinue selling Fitbit products, that is their choice. In any case, it won't kill Fitbit. They'll be fine, despite the spin.
What spin! Big bad Apple, throwing its weight around irresponsibly, like Microsoft at the height of their power. Except...
The Apple Store isn't Walmart. It's not a democracy. Fitbit is not entitled to any self space in Apple's retail operation. If Apple wants to sell or discontinue selling Fitbit products, that is their choice. In any case, it won't kill Fitbit. They'll be fine, despite the spin.
Spin is a way to manipulate opinion to "sell" a given product or policy.
I have no policy or product to sell right now, and to be honest, if I had I'd not do that on AppleInsider forums. Doesn't sound to me like a very good place to start selling anything ^^
So "spin" there is not. An opinion, that you obviously disagree with, there is. Won't kill you to disagree with a random stranger, I assure you
The only thing that makes the situation problematic is Apple's own success, since pulling their competitor (which used to be a partner and now, through Apple's own decisions, has turned into a competitor), means that this competitor is bound to die. It's doubly damning due to the fact that not only is this true, but it also could be seen as a case of "stifling the competition for other platforms", as Fitbit mention they don't want to implement HK as HK is incompatible with Android (obviously).
As a world leader, you can't be expected to behave with the same rules as the underdogs, and that's Apple's issue here. They've been the underdog so long they don't see that this protective behaviour, enabled by their de facto monopoly, is comparable to Microsoft's in the 90s, and that's a threat to their reputation, which is their most valuable asset (and worth billions).
What spin! Big bad Apple, throwing its weight around irresponsibly, like Microsoft at the height of their power. Except...
The Apple Store isn't Walmart. It's not a democracy. Fitbit is not entitled to any self space in Apple's retail operation. If Apple wants to sell or discontinue selling Fitbit products, that is their choice. In any case, it won't kill Fitbit. They'll be fine, despite the spin.
I can't believe what I am reading here.
[@]lightknight[/@] what other products should apple be forced to sell in their own stores to make sure they don't stifle competition? Should apple start carrying pebble watches and surface pro 3's? You can still buy the fitbit at any number of retailers both physical and online.
While we are at it, apple could legally say that they will accept cash only for payment. Or they could say starting today, apple pay only for in store purchases. Apple could say from now on apple will only accept payment in the form of glass marbles and lego mini figs (they just might not sell as much stuff). Just because US cash is printed with "this is legal tender..." doesn't mean that apple has to accept it. How about bitcoin?
It's their retail space. Apple can stock it with whatever products they please.
@lightknight what other products should apple be forced to sell in their own stores to make sure they don't stifle competition? Should apple start carrying pebble watches and surface pro 3's? You can still buy the fitbit at any number of retailers both physical and online.
While we are at it, apple could legally say that they will accept cash only for payment. Or they could say starting today, apple pay only for in store purchases. Apple could say from now on apple will only accept payment in the form of glass marbles and lego mini figs (they just might not sell as much stuff). Just because US cash is printed with "this is legal tender..." doesn't mean that apple has to accept it. How about bitcoin?
It's their retail space. Apple can stock it with whatever products they please.
If you'd read the whole series, you might understand what I said. Or not. Who knows.
Of course it does. Just like Microsoft has the right to bundle whatever software they want with their OS. /s
Note, I partially agree with you. Of course Apple wants to showcase products that work 100% with their hardware, so do we, and that's what I expect as a user on their store. I'm just concerned about perception in a market where Apple is increasingly seen as the bully rather than the underdog. I was talking to a few friends (designers in advertisement and developers) and I've turned into "the Apple fanboy" according to them, which is not true. I just like Apple products because they're simple, efficient, and trustworthy ^^ The fact that THEY are "not in love with Apple anymore"" is the worrying part.
Sarcasm aside, you appear to be looking for reasons to disagree. And locking a competitor out of nearly 100 percent of the market is far different from choosing to stop selling a "competitor's" product in an extremely small percentage of retail outlets, so this is a bad analogy. If Apple later refuses to allow Fitbit to work with HealthKit and removes the iOS app and attempts to influence other retailers to drop Fitbit, then you might be able to start complaining about anti-competitive behavior.
I've complained in the past about Apple allowing others to drive the narrative and I do think they could do better on that front, especially if they're going to continue with long spans between product launches. At the same time I think there's a lot of willfully ignorant people who buy the media spin (like Apple is being monopolistic by not selling Bose or FitBit products in their stores). I have little time for those people.
I agree. Remember when Apple was doomed because they didn't make a matte display, performa-level desktop, removable batteries, entry-level phone, etc, etc, etc... They ignored all the noise and have managed to build one of the most powerful and profitable companies ever.
Comments
One possible reason Fitbit's reluctance to embrace HealthKit is the fact that data exporting is a "premium" feature in the company's ecosystem. The ability to freely export Fitbit data, and integrate it with other services, requires a membership priced at $49.99, while Apple's HealthKit could accomplish that same task for free.
On the surface this statement doesn't appear to "ring true" as the Fitbit is listed as compatible with Microsoft's HealthVault. Then again, more details might show some other reasons why they are "compatible" with MS's health platform - like, MS is providing $ to gain Fitbit support, or only a portion of data is being shared.
I've complained in the past about Apple allowing others to drive the narrative and I do think they could do better on that front, especially if they're going to continue with long spans between product launches. At the same time I think there's a lot of willfully ignorant people who buy the media spin (like Apple is being monopolistic by not selling Bose or FitBit products in their stores). I have little time for those people.
I understand your position!
Pretty sure this is what they've done, and the removal is just a sign of Fitbit's refusal.
Perhaps, but that's just speculation.
What spin! Big bad Apple, throwing its weight around irresponsibly, like Microsoft at the height of their power. Except...
The Apple Store isn't Walmart. It's not a democracy. Fitbit is not entitled to any self space in Apple's retail operation. If Apple wants to sell or discontinue selling Fitbit products, that is their choice. In any case, it won't kill Fitbit. They'll be fine, despite the spin.
What spin! Big bad Apple, throwing its weight around irresponsibly, like Microsoft at the height of their power. Except...
The Apple Store isn't Walmart. It's not a democracy. Fitbit is not entitled to any self space in Apple's retail operation. If Apple wants to sell or discontinue selling Fitbit products, that is their choice. In any case, it won't kill Fitbit. They'll be fine, despite the spin.
Spin is a way to manipulate opinion to "sell" a given product or policy.
I have no policy or product to sell right now, and to be honest, if I had I'd not do that on AppleInsider forums. Doesn't sound to me like a very good place to start selling anything ^^
So "spin" there is not. An opinion, that you obviously disagree with, there is. Won't kill you to disagree with a random stranger, I assure you
I can't believe what I am reading here.
[@]lightknight[/@] what other products should apple be forced to sell in their own stores to make sure they don't stifle competition? Should apple start carrying pebble watches and surface pro 3's? You can still buy the fitbit at any number of retailers both physical and online.
While we are at it, apple could legally say that they will accept cash only for payment. Or they could say starting today, apple pay only for in store purchases. Apple could say from now on apple will only accept payment in the form of glass marbles and lego mini figs (they just might not sell as much stuff). Just because US cash is printed with "this is legal tender..." doesn't mean that apple has to accept it. How about bitcoin?
It's their retail space. Apple can stock it with whatever products they please.
I can't believe what I am reading here.
@lightknight what other products should apple be forced to sell in their own stores to make sure they don't stifle competition? Should apple start carrying pebble watches and surface pro 3's? You can still buy the fitbit at any number of retailers both physical and online.
While we are at it, apple could legally say that they will accept cash only for payment. Or they could say starting today, apple pay only for in store purchases. Apple could say from now on apple will only accept payment in the form of glass marbles and lego mini figs (they just might not sell as much stuff). Just because US cash is printed with "this is legal tender..." doesn't mean that apple has to accept it. How about bitcoin?
It's their retail space. Apple can stock it with whatever products they please.
If you'd read the whole series, you might understand what I said. Or not. Who knows.
If you're concerned about apple coming across as a bully and turning consumers off, then I guess that's a calculated risk they're willing to take.
If you are a stock holder then you should be relatively pleased with their performance. They must be doing something right.
Nothing illegal is going on that is for certain.
Anyway I don't want to argue, especially if I'm not understanding what the problem is.
Sarcasm aside, you appear to be looking for reasons to disagree. And locking a competitor out of nearly 100 percent of the market is far different from choosing to stop selling a "competitor's" product in an extremely small percentage of retail outlets, so this is a bad analogy. If Apple later refuses to allow Fitbit to work with HealthKit and removes the iOS app and attempts to influence other retailers to drop Fitbit, then you might be able to start complaining about anti-competitive behavior.
I agree. Remember when Apple was doomed because they didn't make a matte display, performa-level desktop, removable batteries, entry-level phone, etc, etc, etc... They ignored all the noise and have managed to build one of the most powerful and profitable companies ever.