If you’re thinking about picking up one of Fitbit trackers from Apple stores (online or offline), you may want to look somewhere else as Apple has decided to remove the products from its retail locations.
Apple used to sell Fitbit Flex and Fitbit One at its retail stores for $99.95, but it’s not going to happen from now on. The reason is not yet known on why the Cupertino company decided to remove Fitbit products.
Possible Reasons for Removal
It could be due to the fact that Fitbit mentioned it has no plans to integrate its products with Apple’s HealthKit platform as they are working on other exciting products for its users. HealthKit is a health and fitness data aggregation platform introduced by Apple with iOS 8, which allows various health and fitness apps to share data with each other and with Apple’s Health app. By not integrating with HealthKit, Fitbit may have created a rift with Apple, leading to the removal of its products from Apple stores. But, Apple didn’t mention this so it could just be one of the many possible reasons.
Another plausible reason could be that Apple doesn’t want products which are competing with the company’s upcoming Apple Watch, which also offers some of the features similar to Fitbit trackers. The Apple Watch, which was announced in September 2014 and expected to be released in early 2015, includes fitness tracking capabilities such as heart rate monitoring, step counting, and integration with HealthKit. By removing Fitbit products, Apple could be trying to clear the way for its own wearable device to dominate the market.
Other Product Removals
It’s not just Fitbit products which were removed; Apple also removed Bose products from its retail locations back in October, and are not selling their headphones. The removal of Bose products came shortly after Apple acquired Beats Electronics, a competing headphone manufacturer, for $3 billion. This move was seen as a way for Apple to promote its own brand of headphones and audio products over those of a competitor.
Additionally, the removal of Bose products may have been influenced by a legal dispute between Bose and Beats over noise-canceling technology patents. The two companies settled the lawsuit in October 2014, but the timing of the product removal suggests that the legal battle may have played a role in Apple’s decision.
Impact on Consumers
For consumers, the removal of Fitbit and Bose products from Apple stores means that they will have to look elsewhere to purchase these items. Fitbit products are still available through other major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Target, as well as directly from Fitbit’s website. Similarly, Bose products can be found at various electronics stores and online retailers.
While this may be an inconvenience for some Apple customers, it also highlights the competitive nature of the tech industry. Companies like Apple are constantly making strategic decisions to promote their own products and maintain a competitive edge in the market. As a result, consumers may need to stay informed about where to find the products they want and be prepared to explore alternative purchasing options.
The removal of Fitbit and Bose products from Apple stores is likely a strategic move by Apple to promote its own products and maintain control over its retail environment. Whether due to competition with the Apple Watch, lack of HealthKit integration, or other factors, this decision underscores the dynamic and competitive nature of the tech industry. Consumers will need to adapt to these changes and seek out alternative retailers for their favorite products.
Source: Macrumors
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