FitBit is a pioneer in wearable technology. But the company has recently shifted its strategy amid competition from the Apple Watch, and as the wearable market has failed to really see mass adoption. Cheddar's Hope King and Brad Smith explore the company's performance using E*Trade's innovative platform.
Adult wearable technology users in the U.S. is expected to grow nearly 12 percent this year, according to eMarketer. In a survey conducted by Cheddar, 18 percent said they own a FitBit compared to 27 percent who've said they own an Apple Watch. 47 percent of those surveyed by Cheddar say they don't wear any wearable technology.
FitBit has had an up and down year, with shares ranging between $5 and $7 a share. Overall, shares are down 17 percent over the course of the past year. The company did introduce its first smartwatch in 2017, and is looking to directly compete against the Apple Watch at a similar price point. Shares also hit a 52-week high in December during the holiday shopping season.
FitBit reports fourth quarter earnings after the Closing Bell Monday. Analysts expect revenue of nearly $590 Million, and to break even in profit.
The CEO of video app Cameo, Steve Galanis, said he created his platform because "selfies are the new autographs." For the right price, users can get a video shout-out from celebrities – actress Bella Thorne and NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, to name a couple.
Facebook said Friday that it won’t partner with the crypto firm Stellar, despite a report that the two companies recently held talks. Just before the report, Facebook vice president of blockchain David Marcus stepped down from the board of Coinbase, citing a conflict of interest.
How Tesla CEO Elon Musk's plan to take the company private unfolds will depend on his financial backer ー or backers ー says Christian Prenzler, vice president of business development at Teslarati."Traditionally, Musk has had no problem selling these things to investors," Prenzler says.
Tesla's board of directors will reportedly hold a meeting next week with investors to discuss the possibility of taking the company private. The board may urge CEO Elon Musk to recuse himself from the talks.
Samsung showed off its new Galaxy Note 9 smartphone at its Samsung Unpacked event in New York Thursday. The Note 9 comes equipped with double the storage of any other smartphone on the market and a camera that automatically tells you if the picture is blurry.
And we're joined by actor Luke Evans, who is lending his voice to a new audio experience from Stella Artois. He talks about how he stays in the moment and cherishes his 'me time.'
Samsung's most powerful smartphone to date, the Galaxy Note 9, has a day-long battery life and a Bluetooth-enabled stylus that works like a remote control. Cheddar's Hope King demos the new phone and discusses its other features.
Crypto-bandits are imitating celebrities and CEOs on social media, trying to steal Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Vinny Lingham, co-founder and CEO of Civic, and Charlie Shrem, a founder of the Bitcoin Foundation, told Cheddar about their experiences with scammers.
These are the headlines you Need2Know for Friday, Aug. 10.
The gamer communications hub, with 150 million users, will sell indie titles curated by its staff in a new online storefront. "We have a lot of people here that love playing games and have really great taste, and so we're gonna pick out stuff we think is worth your time," says CEO Jason Citron.
Tinder’s business is exploding. The dating app is on track to generate $800 million in revenue this year, its parent company Match Group said this week.
Roku is offering online and OTT viewers of its own channel fewer ads than linear TV, says Rob Holmes, the vice president of programming and engagement. The platform will also have "Featured Free" content from partners including ABC, Fox, and the CW.
