Google Pixel Watch Coming to Take Your Health Data

Like the search giant already doesn't know everything about us, it now wants to know how we breathe...

Pixel Watch

The other day, Google announced its very own smartwatch – the Pixel Watch. Coming this fall, it will feature all the usual sensors we’ve got accustomed to from such devices — allowing the company to know how and where we walk and exercise, as well as how we sleep. It will also be able to record our heart rate and use all that data to help us live a healthier and longer life. Sounds good but is it?

It’s all about ads

Google makes more than 80% of its money from advertising; all other entities combined make up for less than 20%.

That’s a scary thought as that means it will do little to jeopardize its lucrative ad business. And that business is powered by user data, with Google helping advertisers better target potential customers.

So far it knows what we like online, and with the help of the brand-new Pixel Watch – it will also have our health data.

Doesn’t Google already have our health data?

To be fair, the search giant already has a ton of health data about its Android users. It collects them through the Google Fit app, which syncs with all kinds of health- and fitness-related devices and apps to present users with a unifying picture of their wellbeing.

However, with the Pixel Watch — presuming it’s a smashing success and it looks like one — Google gets to bring this on a whole new level.

You see, Android users lacked a proper smartwatch to love, which would be similar to the Apple Watch for iPhone users. Sure there’s the great Samsung Galaxy Watch series, but the Korean giant doesn’t necessarily want to share all of the data points it collects with Google. Also none of the Galaxy Watch devices sells nearly as much as the Apple Watch.

And so Google decided to do something about it. First, it acquired Fitbit and now it’s using its vast resources to incorporate Fitbit’s technology (and data) into its smartwatch.

That being said, we expect the Pixel Watch to be amazing, but with one big caveat – it gives Google even more power. So the question is…

Do you trust Google?

As the saying goes – “if the product is free, you are the product.” While the Pixel Watch is not free, it will offer many services for free and it is this free service that will turn its buyers into products.

Looking down the road, we could imagine advertisers targeting people with high-blood pressure or running on a regular basis. This is a scary thought but definitely something Google would be able to pull off.

You have to ask yourself – do you agree to be a part of this business model? Remember that you don’t get to earn a penny, while Google gets to earn millions, even billions of dollars.

I’m not sure I trust them that much. Simply put, being privacy-centric is against Google’s business model. And that is something I don’t like on so many levels.

What about you? Would you get yourself a Pixel Watch? Do tell us in the comments form below. Thanks.