Google has made an offer to acquire Fitbit, Reuters reported late Monday morning. Shares of the fitness-tracking device maker surged 19 percent on the report, leading the Nasdaq to briefly halt trading in the stock. Shares resumed trading just after midday, climbing more than 35 percent.
The offer price is not clear, according to Reuters, and it is unknown whether or not Fitbit is considering the offer.
Reuters reported last month that the wearable company, a darling of the consumer tech industry when it went public in 2015, was now looking to either get acquired or take itself private as it faces increased competition. Modern smartphones now come with much of the technology that Fitbit pioneered in its sleek, connected watches, not to mention the Apple Watch, which now owns about half of the global smartwatch market.
For Google parent Alphabet ($GOOGL), Fitbit would represent the company's first foray into wearables, where its main hardware competitors, Apple and Samsung, are duking it out for supremacy. Google has made its healthcare ambitions clear, last year poaching the CEO of the regional healthcare provider Geisinger.
The social video platform's future remains in doubt, as players scramble to profit from the chaos. Plus: Big oil gets bigger, DOGE downsizes, and tariffs!
Ty Young, CEO of Ty J. Young Wealth Management, joins Cheddar to discuss Trump's moves as he returns to Washington D.C. and how it may affect the U.S. economy.
Starbucks’ decision to restrict its restrooms to paying customers has flushed out a wider problem: a patchwork of restroom use policies that varies by state and city. Starbucks announced last week a new code of conduct that says people need to make a purchase if they want to hang out or use the restroom. The coffee chain's policy change for bathroom privileges has left Americans confused and divided over who gets to go and when. The American Restroom Association, a public toilet advocacy group, was among the critics. Rules about restroom access in restaurants vary by state, city and county. The National Retail Federation says private businesses have a right to limit restroom use.
President Donald Trump is talking up a joint venture investing up to $500 billion for infrastructure tied to artificial intelligence by a new partnership formed by OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank. The new entity, Stargate, will start building out data centers and the electricity generation needed for the further development of the fast-evolving AI in Texas, according to the White House. The initial investment is expected to be $100 billion and could reach five times that sum. While Trump has seized on similar announcements to show that his presidency is boosting the economy, there were already expectations of a massive buildout of data centers and electricity plants needed for the development of AI.
Chris Ruder, Spikeball Founder and CEO, explains how he and his friends put roundnet on the global map, plus, how Spikeball helps people "find their circle."
J.W. Roth, CEO of Venu Holding Corporation, discusses the company's IPO and plans to redefine live music entertainment with their fan founded, fan-owned model.
Variety's Clayton Davis discusses why more than just the 1% are struggling after the LA fires. Plus, how awards shows will pivot to help victims. Watch!