Fitbit could be looking to get into the blood sugar tracking game

By Lulu Chang January 6, 2018

Fitbit Ionic — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Six months after defeating rival Jawbone, Fitbit is looking to get in the ring with another competitor. The wearables company has just invested for the first time in a start-up, dedicating more than $6 million into a company called Sano, which is creating a small patch to track blood sugar levels for diabetics. This could help Fitbit compete more directly with Apple and its Apple Watch — the Cupertino company is currently working on an in-house version of a noninvasive glucose monitor.

As per estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. more than 100 million people in the United States are living with diabetes or pre-diabetes. As such, adding blood-sugar tracking functionality into a smart watch certainly seems like a strategic move. Indeed, both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Apple seem to be heading towards a future where wearables are closer to medical devices than glorified digital watches — recently, the FDA approved the first-ever medical device accessory for the Apple Watch, while Apple is reportedly looking to make its Watch into an EKG.

If Fitbit manages to integrate glucose-tracking capabilities into an upcoming device, it could open up the market for its wearable. And this is certainly something Fitbit needs — in the quarter ending September 30, 2017, Fitbit sold only 3.6 million devices, a steep decline from the 5.3 million it sold in the same quarter of 2016.

Investing in Sano, then, could be the first step in a strategic repositioning of Fitbit and its products. CEO James Park confirmed the investment to CNBC, noting, “This fits into our strategy of looking beyond the device and thinking more about (health) solutions. I think the complete solution comes in the form of having some monitoring solution that is coupled with a display, and a wearable that can give you the interventions at the right moment.”

If the Sano deal proves to be more than an investment and rather a partnership, it wouldn’t be the first time that Fitbit teamed up with blood sugar data-minded firms. The company already works alongside device makers Medtronic and Dexcom, but Park remained mum on whether or not Fitbits of the future might include built-in glucose tracking.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…

Mobile

Fitbit recalls Ionic smartwatch after several burn reports

best walmart deals on apple watch garmin and fitbit ionic smartwatch adidas edition ice gray silver

Fitbit Ionic smartwatch users need to stop using their devices right now. The company has recalled its Ionic wearable after over 150 reports of the watch’s lithium-ion battery overheating, and 78 reports of burn injuries to the users. It will offer a refund of $299 to the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch users who return the device.

Fitbit has received at least 115 reports in the United States and over 50 reports internationally about the Ionic smartwatch's battery overheating. It is recalling the device as there are two reports of third-degree burns and four reports of second-degree burns out of the 78 total burn injuries report.

Deals

Razer Anzu smart glasses deal knocks $140 off the price tag

The Razer Anzu smart glasses placed on top of an open book.

While smartwatch deals have slowly claimed their place in the mainstream, smart glasses haven't turned out to be as popular. Gaming-focused brand Razer, however, is trying to renew interest in smart glasses with the Razer Anzu, which you can currently purchase from Best Buy at $140 off. If you'd like to give them a try, they're available for just $60, less than half their original price of $200.

There have been failures like the Google Glass and Snap Spectacles, and hopeful attempts like Oppo's Air Glass and Apple's secretive project, but the Razer Anzu smart glasses take a different spin on the wearable device by designing them for indoors. While they come with polarized sunglass lenses, their clear lenses are more useful with their blue light filter, which protects your eyes from screen glare to prevent discomfort even after hours of playing video games or working from home. The smart glasses, which also have a built-in omnidirectional microphone and speakers, may also be more comfortable to wear for an extended period of time compared to headsets and headphones. You'll enjoy smooth, stutter-free sound with the Razer Anzu's low latency audio with a 60ms Bluetooth connection.

Mobile

The best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 screen protectors

Person holding skateboard while wearing the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.

A new, sleek design and digital bezel help the Galaxy Watch 4 stand out in the crowd and set it apart from the traditional style of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Whether you've picked up a 40mm model with a 1.2-inch Super AMOLED screen or opted for more screen real estate with the 44mm model, that stand-out design needs protecting from scratches and knocks. That means it's time for our picks of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 screen protectors, with something to suit all budgets.

These screen protectors will all fit the 40mm or 44mm models of the Galaxy Watch 4. If you've got a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, these won't fit.
Spigen Glas.tR EZ Fit Screen Protector