It’s fair to say that, aside from a bit of rebranding, Nokia didn’t exactly take the Withings digital health company to the next level.
Following the buyout in 2016, devices like the Steel HR watch got a Nokia logo, as did the smart scale and fitness trackers, but not a lot else changed.
Now Nokia is admitting defeat in its battle to compete in the space with the likes of Apple and Fitbit.
The Finnish firm has announced it is selling the health tech business back to its original owner; the former chairman Withings. That ends speculation Samsung or Google might be in the market for the tech.
Terms of the deal are currently unknown, but it’s highly likely that Withings co-founder Éric Carreel isn’t paying the $191 million he received from Nokia two years ago.
Related: Best fitness tracker 2018
All this means there’s a chance we might see more Withings products on shelves, back under the stewardship of the firm’s former boss.
That’d be a fillip for fans of devices like the Steel HR, one of the first truly well received analogue smart watches.
Of course, it’s important to remember that this transaction has nothing to do with Nokia smartphones, which are currently manufactured and sold under license by HMD Global.
The remnants of the old Nokia is now a strong patent licensing business and sales of telecommunications hardware.
The company has also dabbled in 360-degree cameras and maps since selling its phone business to Microsoft a few years back.
Would you like to see more Withings devices? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
