FITBIT CONFIRMS PEBBLE ACQUISITION BUT PEBBLE SMARTWATCH OWNERS SHOULD BE FUMING!

Fitbit has confirmed the successful acquisition of Kickstarter darling, Pebble Inc.  The catch is that Fitbit didn’t buy the entire company, but just the divisions that were necessary for their long-term plans to diversify into the Smartwatch segment.

This is great news for Fitbit Fans as an indication the Fitness Tracker giant heeding customer feedback that has indicated a desire for diversification into the Smartwatch wearable industry.  The Pebble software and intellectual property will certainly jumpstart the innovation that Fitbit has been craving and Wall Street demanding.

As we reported last month, Wall Street punished Fitbit with a 33% drop in the stock price from $12.91 that many analysts attributed to Fitbit’s lack of innovation.  The stock has been hovering around the $8.00 to $8.70 ever since. It will be interesting to see how the market reacts over the next month as holiday sales numbers roll in which are expected to be as strong as last year.

Read: FITBIT: FITNESS TRACKER GIANT TAKES A STEP OFF A CLIFF THIS WEEK

Fitbit has acquired key personnel and the sought after intellectual property they wanted for both software and firmware development.  What this means to Pebble Smartwatch Owners is the acquisition excluded the hardware products (basically your Pebble Smartwatch).

This means that Pebble is no longer promoting, selling, or manufacturing any more smartwatches or accessories related to the Pebble 2, Pebble Time Round, Pebble Time Steel,, Pebble Time, Pebble Steel, or Pebble Classic.

If you are a current Pebble Smartwatch owner, it is recommended that you update the latest firmware from the mobile app available through Google Play or iTunes App Store.

Pebble recommends using the Pebble app: Menu » Support » Update Your Pebble.

Pebble announced this week that accessories will still be available from sites such as Amazon.com. If you are an owner of this wearable smartwatch and need an extra charger or wristband, you may only have a limited time as supplies are only what has been manufactured to date.

For Apple computer or iPhone users, the next downside will be all too familiar.  The functionality and support Pebble users expected when they purchased their smartwatch will diminish as there will no longer be software updates or new features released.

How many of us have had an older model Apple product that is rendered useless over time as Apple has ceased supporting the device to get you to buy an updated version?  The same experience is set for Pebble smartwatch users, except instead of a marketing ploy, there is not an updated Pebble to purchase.

Pebble will also no longer honor returns or exchanges if you ordered your smartwatch from the company website www.pebble.com.  If you purchased through an online retailer or traditional brick and mortar store, the return policy will be based on the individual retailer’s return policy.

And if you were hoping for some phone support, you’re out of luck according to Fitbit’s help section:

“To get help with the Pebble device you already own, visit the Pebble Help Center and Pebble Community for self-service information. It’s no longer possible to speak with Customer Support about your Pebble device. “

This is another reason it is vitally important to purchase through a trusted website with an established return policy that you can trust.

If you are interested in Smartwatches and Fitness Tracker Wearables, check out the Latest News, Reviews, and Trends on everything wearable tech…I Wear the Tech-We Find Technology that Fits YOU!