Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is reportedly planning to enter the next race or battle ground in the technology industry—health data as manufacturers of next generation wearable devices are integrating apps that allows users to monitor their heart rate, blood pressure, sleeping habits and many more.
The search engine giant is developing a new health service called Google Fit that combines information from health related apps and fitness trackers, according to Forbes based on information from different sources familiar with the matter.
The sources suggested that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOL) might launch Google Fit during the upcoming Google I/O conference on June 25-26, 2014.
The report said it is unclear whether the search engine giant will integrate Google Fit on its Android operating system or offer it as separate app. One of the sources suggested that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) will allow wearable devices integrated with health-related apps to interface with its cloud-based services, and to become part of the Google Fit ecosystem.
In addition, the report indicated that Google Fit will collect data through open API’s and instruction sets that allow information sharing. Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is expected to announce partnerships with manufacturers of wearable devices during the I/O conference.
Last week, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) introduced its HealthKit, a new tool for developers that allows all health and fitness apps to work together, and it collects data in one place to provide users with a clear and current overview of their health including heart rate, blood pressure, calories burned, blood sugar, cholesterol etc., in a single tap.
Technology observers believe that Google Fit will definitely a direct and strong competitor against HealthKit. It will also compete with Sami, the biometric data platform launched by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (KRX:005935) last month. Sami also collects health data from devices and apps.
The search engine giant had been working on a health service and its first health platform was called Google Health, but it shut down the project and destroyed all data on January 1, 2013. Derek Newell, CEO of Jiff, a digital health care platform said, “Google Health never took off because consumers actually don’t want to aggregate their data. They haven’t wanted to. What they want is information. They want meaning, rewards and a feedback loop.”
In addition, Newell observed that at present there are many little players entering the health data service and there are no data standards. According to him, “[Apple and Samsung] are going to step in the middle of all that and facilitate the collection of that data and let developers develop on top of it.” The search engine giant will likely join the competition with Google Fit.
