Intel intends to refocus on augmented reality, as it canceled the employees of its health wearables division. The division includes developmental works on Basis smartwatches and fitness trackers.
According to a CNBC report, Intel discarded its internal wearables group about two weeks ago. This was confirmed by a few other sources as well. The discard of the American company makes way for its intended refocus on further current advanced technology than health trackers.
2014 saw Intel purchase Basis, the smartwatch maker, to boost its own health-related products. That year experienced, Intel came up with Edison smart chip and Quark embedded processor to compete with Texas Instruments and Qualcomm.
The next year, the acquisition of Recon followed for enhanced design and development of display hardware that attracts action sports enthusiasts. In spite of substantial investments, Intel is apparently to market its own wearable products.
A TechCrunch report of November 2016 said that Intel was stepping away from the wearables division. This was refuted by the company, as it revealed that it had a few products lined up for engaging itself in the competition of markets.
Following these happenings, CNBC today reported that the company fired about 80% of Basis in the timeframe of November 2016. An undisclosed number of employees had been offered jobs in other divisions. It is yet to be known if these people stayed with Intel.
The CNBC report also notes that the enterprise is still advertising its wearable devices through a dedicated webpage. The company is partnered with Oakley, New Balance, and Tag Heuer in this advertisement. The webpage also promotes Intel’s Curie processor, which is documented as a ‘microcomputer’, and designed for accelerating wearables technologies.
Considering the latest move of Intel from wearables as true, the company is going to be the latest one to abandon these devices. This also facilitates the progression of market leaders Fitbit and Apple amid the heat of the markets.
Earlier this month, we received reports of Jawbone beginning the process of closing down consumer operations. Jawbone was previously an outstandingly promising company in the field of fitness tracking technologies.
