Fitness Watchmaker Basis Selling Itself?

TechCrunch reports that Basis Science, a company that makes health-centric smartwatches, is looking for potential suitors.

Unable to secure enough funding, Basis is looking to be acquired. Rumor has it that they are in talks with Apple, Google, possibly Microsoft and Samsung about the sale. Although Basis' market share is unclear, the smartwatch market is regarded as future of mobile computing, thus attracting interests from bigger companies.

Google, who recently bought Nest for $3.2 billion, is looking to enter the consumer hardware market. It is worth nothing that Google currently has Google Glass Explorer Edition in the wearable tech sector, and is unclear about making a smartwatch.

Could this lead to Apple iWatch?

On the other hand, Apple looks more likely to make a smartwatch, after Tim Cook said that there will be new product categories in 2014. Previously, Apple has acquired companies to implement new technology directly. Siri was acquired and became the star attraction of iPhone 4S; Touch ID became selling point for iPhone 5S (besides gold color, of course). Could Apple acquire Basis to work on an iWatch?

Samsung could also acquire Basis, after having a lukewarm reception to its Galaxy Gear smartwatch.


Written by: Kheng Wei Ang