14 DAY TRIAL // Fitbit might have found a way to expand its smartwatch business, according to a report, as the company is planning to launch a 4G smartwatch that would be specifically aimed at kids.
The smartwatch for kids industry has gained more ground lately, especially as these devices come with features that allow for parents to keep an eye on their children with very little effort.
And by the looks of things, Fitbit believes it can still secure the lion’s share here, and instead of developing the whole thing from the ground up, it decided to purchase one of the important players in the industry.
Engadget reports that Fitbit purchased the Hong Kong startup called Doki Technologies, which has already launched several smartwatches for kids with 4G connectivity. The 4G support allowed for all kinds of cool stuff, including safety tracking, video and voice calling, all with a SIM that could also be offered with a subscription plan.
No confirmation so far
Needless to say, this is the thing that could bring home the bacon, as the smartwatch could be sold together with a subscription service, albeit Fitbit’s plans remain unclear for the time being.
The acquisition itself is yet to be confirmed, albeit Doki’s director now appears to be none other than Andrew Paul Missan, also the Executive Vice President of Fitbit.
Fitbit expand in the kids smartwatch business could help the company boost sales at a time when its devices have a hard time competing against the Apple Watch. Many considered the potential Google takeover as a new chance for Fitbit to restarted the war against Apple, but for now, it’s very clear the company is exploring many other fronts.
Fitbit wouldn’t be a completely new name in the kids market, as it has already launched two Ace fitness trackers specifically aimed at children. However, the devices lacked the advanced capabilities available on Doki’s models, so this presumed takeover would allow the company to launch a fully-featured device.