Google acquires Fossil smartwatch tech for $40 million
Google agreed to pay $40 million for the smartwatch technology of the fashion and accessory group Fossil, the companies said Thursday, enabling the California tech giant to expand in the growing wearable tech market. As part of the deal, Texas-based Fossil Group's research and development team working on the smartwatch will join Google, which will acquire the intellectual property for Fossil smartwatches, the firms said. The move would give Google the potential to create its own branded smartwatches to compete against Apple, Fitbit, and others in the wearable tech space. "Wearables, built for wellness, simplicity, personalization, and helpfulness, have the opportunity to improve lives by bringing users the information and insights they need quickly, at a glance," said Stacey Burr, a vice president at Google Wear OS division. "The addition of Fossil Group's technology and team to Google demonstrates our commitment to the wearables industry by enabling a d