Apple has acquired Finland-based hardware company Beddit, that makes sleep-tracking devices, which usually work with iOS and Apple Watch. The acquisition news, first reported by CNBC, came into light, as Beddit updated the privacy section of its website confirming the acquisition and noted that consumer data is now subject to Apple's own privacy policy.
Beddit's latest device that is available for purchase in the Apple Store is a Beddit 3 Sleep Monitor. It's a sensor-equipped strip that can slide under the bed and track nocturnal movements using ballistocardiography.
The main advantage of this Beddit device is completely contrary to what Apple has developed through their efforts in body-tracking space. While Beddit Sleep Monitor 3 doesn't require a tracker that one needs to wear for the device to work, Apple's body-tracking efforts have largely focused on the Apple Watch so far, which needs regular charging. Also, the Watch doesn't have any sleep-tracking capabilities, although, there are some third party apps that can be used for sleep tracking, provided, the user charges his/her watch enough during the day time so that, it can work throughout the night.
Last year, according to Bloomberg, Apple had expressed plans to integrate sleep-tracking to the Apple Watch and this acquisition seems to be a step towards that goal. Beddit acquisition could be the answer to Apple Watch's disability to track sleep or it might be a part of Apple's plan to integrate Beddit's expertise into some other future device.
Apple may even acquire Beddit just to hire some or all the engineers of Beddit, as suggests the company's past acquisition instances. It surely is the right time for Apple to move into the sleep-tracking space, which Apple has already shown interests in, by selling Beddit's products on its platform, said The Verge.
